The plan, or at least how it was conceived, was for the Lakers to come to Phoenix on Thursday night and do a practice that mimicked a regular-season game.

They would prepare for the Suns by going over a scouting report and the type of game day routine they will adopt for the season. They extended the starting minutes and tried to simulate real game changes.

But even before JJ Redick became coach of the Lakers, he knew that sometimes plans aren’t worth the paper they’re written on.

“You don’t often live in an idealized world in this league and that’s OK,” Redick said before the Lakers’ fifth game of the season. “…In this league you don’t often get to experience things exactly the way you want, and that’s fine.”

Redick explained it all. LeBron James, heading into year 22, would get extra rest. Rui Hachimura, who felt a bit of tension in his calf, would take his time to be right. Austin Reaves wasn’t about to put too much strain on his sore ankle. Gabe Vincent didn’t want to take any chances after missing almost all of last season due to a knee injury, and Max Christie’s mild hip soreness wasn’t worth long minutes.

The Lakers’ dress rehearsal, which ended with a 128-122 overtime victory, would take a back seat as a warning.

The team, Redick said, was still able to go through its normal pregame routine even if Cam Reddish and Christie had to move into the starting lineup in the absence of James and Hachimura. James is also expected to rest during the preseason finale Friday in Golden State.

Anthony Davis probably ended his preseason by playing 34 minutes and scoring 35 points. He started incredibly hot from three-point range and made four from deep in the first quarter.

He wasn’t the only Laker to get hot from deep. Rookie Dalton Knecht had his best game of the preseason, scoring 25 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. It caught fire as the Lakers’ bench playfully fanned the flames.

After missing a game-winner against the Suns in Palm Desert earlier in the preseason, Knecht hit a three over a 7-foot-3 Bol Bol to force overtime, one of Knecht’s eight threes.

Devin Booker scored 22 for the Suns and Kevin Durant added 19.

In addition to the Lakers not getting the ideal rehearsal, the team will also not have its full roster on opening night. Redick announced that Jarred Vanderbilt may not return despite his continued recovery from offseason foot surgery.

“His rehabilitation and return to football are going well and moving in a very positive direction. It’s very likely that we won’t have an update for you in the next two weeks, so he won’t be ready to start the regular season,” Redick said. “We opt for a long-term approach. The coaching, the medical staff, Jarred himself, we’re all on board. It’s a long season and we want to make sure he’s right.”

Because even as the preseason draws to a close, Redick and the Lakers know they still have time.