Lakers Lose Game and This Key Player in the Process
It was a highly anticipated NBA Summer League game featuring two of the best franchises and their respective rookies. The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics got off to a competitive start in the first half. The Lakers found themselves in a bad scenario as they were blown out in the second half, and one of their key players, Lakers forward Darius Bazley, suffered a lower leg injury. It happened in the third and had to be wheeled off the court. His knee buckled at an awkward angle while taking the ball and driving to the lane. Hoping it isn't anything serious, but there is currently no official word on the nature of the injury.
Bronny James led the team in scoring, so he continues to improve every single game. It’s a double whammy, though, because the Celtics were stripping the ball off him quite often. He ended up with eight turnovers to go with 18 points. The Lakers struggled heavily in the second quarter right before halftime. The Celtics' defense was all over the place, and the Lakers were missing wide-open three-pointers. A special shoutout is required to three Celtics players who made it tough for any Laker to score. Rookies Jordan Walsh, Hugo Gonzalez, and Kenny Lofton Jr. were the three leading scorers of the game. Also, Lofton Jr., with his big body, was fighting for the boards against the Lakers' centers all night off the bench, despite being only 6'6 in height.
The Celtics may be struggling in the offseason, but it does not appear they have a shortage of young talent on their rookie roster. Look for them to add someone like Lofton Jr. to their main roster. The Lakers scored nine points in the second quarter, and with one more NBA Summer League game to go on the schedule against the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers currently hold a 1-3 record heading into their last Summer League game against the Nuggets. Make sure to keep an eye out for James and DJ Steward, as well as Cole Swider, to see if they have a better performance and show why they deserve to be on the main roster.
