Quick Bytes
- Lakers face another defeat, losing 88-74 to the Celtics in Las Vegas Summer League.
- Dalton Knecht shines despite the loss, leading the Lakers with 19 points.
- Bronny James struggles, but scores in the fourth quarter as the crowd cheers.
- Lakers to play next against Zaccharie Risacher and the Atlanta Hawks.
Lakers’ Summer Struggles Continue Despite Knecht’s Efforts
The Los Angeles Lakers’ quest for a Summer League victory remains unfulfilled as they succumbed to the Boston Celtics with a 14-point deficit.
The game started unfavorably for the Lakers, with the Celtics establishing an early lead, largely due to Neemias Queta’s dominance in the paint. Despite the Lakers’ persistent rebounding issues, first-round pick Dalton Knecht sparked a brief comeback, narrowing the gap to two points by the end of the first quarter. Bench player Moses Brown and Maxwell Lewis contributed to the Lakers’ efforts, but Boston’s JD Davison’s three-pointers widened the Celtics’ lead by halftime.
While the Lakers’ Bronny James failed to make an impact initially, Knecht continued to be a silver lining, scoring consistently and showcasing his growing potential. His performance, however, wasn’t enough to turn the tide, and the Celtics maintained their lead throughout the game. The Lakers’ fans had a moment of excitement when James scored in the final quarter, but Drew Peterson of the Celtics sealed the game with his own three-point success.
Looking ahead, the Lakers, with no championship prospects in the Summer League, are set to face Zaccharie Risacher and the Atlanta Hawks. Despite the losses, Knecht’s individual progress stands out as a positive takeaway for the team.
