How Quincy Olivari ‘changed the game’ for Lakers in preseason win over Bucks

Quincy Olivari made quite the impression on Lakers fans in Thursday’s win over the Bucks. JJ Redick was effusive in his praise postgame, talking about how much the rookie guard changed the game.

Even with all the caveats that come with playing preseason basketball, there was something notable that took place in the fourth quarter of Thursday’s comeback win for the Lakers against the Bucks.

On the road and down double digits, they looked set for a third loss of the preseason. The 20-0 run that followed was as unexpected as it was impressive. At the heart of it was as unheralded a player as any on the Lakers roster in Quincy Olivari, who might have just become one of the new cult heroes for fans.

The rookie point guard, prior to last night, was more known for taking a selfie with LeBron James during Media Day and becoming a bit of a viral sensation on social media because of how unknown he was. The jokes of “Who is #41?” came and Olivari took them in stride, even sharing them on his Twitter.

By the end of the night on Thursday, Lakers fans certainly had a much better idea of who #41 was. Olivari provided the spark for the purple and gold in their comeback, scoring 11 points in nine minutes, connecting on a trio of 3-pointers.

Just as impactful, though, was his defense as he picked up players full court and forced turnovers to help the team get back into the game.

“I thought, in particular, Quincy just completely changed the game,” head coach JJ Redick said postgame. “To me, and I told our guys this after, what he did is the blueprint for what we’re asking of a few of our players in terms of just picking up full court, being disruptive, taking time off the shot clock. I just thought he executed exactly what we want from someone in his position.

“We’ve challenged a number of guys and they’ve done it well to varying degrees but I haven’t seen it executed that well until tonight with Quincy.”

When Olivari entered Thursday’s game, the Lakers trailed 89-74 and were fading fast. But Olivari set the tone early, chasing down an offensive rebound for a second-chance basket before immediately picking up full court.

On the next possession, he connected on a 3-pointer after a missed alley-oop from the Bucks before picking up full court again. After a Lewis 3-pointer, Olivari’s full-court pressure forced a backcourt violation.

Olivari continued stacking impactful possessions together and got everyone a little more focused in the fourth quarter of a preseason game than is normally the case. His injection of energy was evident as he and the Lakers roared back ahead in the game’s final minutes.

“I think I hold my head on the fact that I’m an energy guy,” Olivari said. “I like to make sure that, everytime I’m in, I give the most positive energy I can. If I’ve been sitting the whole game, that mean I should be the most rested. Just pick up full [court] and have good energy and, next thing you know, the whole bench is up.

“I really was focused on just getting this first win for coach Redick because we have been pretty close and then when we got to the third quarter, fourth quarter in the previous two games, it kind of dwindled away so I just wanted to give everything I could to put us in the best position to win.”

There have been preseason heroes for the Lakers before — shoutout to Ryan Kelly’s game-winner — and being a fun story in October does not create a path to the NBA. But it does make Olivari someone worth getting behind.

The Lakers starters certainly were behind him and the closing unit as they were up and celebrating as the team put the final, posterizing touches on their comeback win.

“He has an infectious spirit and soul about him,” Redick said. “It’s not that he’s some super talkative, boisterous guy but he just carries himself well. He carries himself with intent. His work ethic is really high and I think people respond to that. When you have someone who cares, who’s a good teammate, who does all the right things and then he comes in a game and is picking up full court with a bloody mouth and changing the entire dynamic for us as a team, it’s easy to respond to that as a teammate and a coaching staff. I thought he lit a fire for us.”

Olivari isn’t new to the Lakers system this preseason. Postgame, he revealed the Lakers actually called him after the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft to let him know of their interest. They were the only team that reached out to him instead of the other way around, which made his decision easier.

He spent July with the Lakers Summer League team, then returned on an Exhibit-10 deal for training camp. Even if he’s destined, for now, to spend the upcoming season with the South Bay Lakers, he’s already made a big impression on the coaching staff.

“He takes the game very seriously,” Redick said. “He’s a player who has a care factor for doing it the right way and wanting to execute whatever vision you give him. I’m excited that he’s in our program. I really am. We look at him, as a coaching staff, in very high regard.”

Redick’s comments about the G League this offseason and wanting to integrate the parent Lakers with the South Bay ones means Olivari will be around this season. If he pieces together more performances and games like Thursday throughout the remainder of the preseason, it might even lead to the need to sign him to more than just an Exhibit-10 deal.

But no matter what he’s given, Olivari will make the most of his opportunity.

“I have a lot of knowledge, whether that’s LeBron, [Anthony Davis], [Austin Reaves], [D’Angelo Russell], Gabe Vincent,” Olivari said, “just so much knowledge that can be soaked up that I try my best to take advantage of this opportunity.”

On Thursday, he did just that and created a lot of fans in the process.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.