In search of their first summer victory, Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers kicked off the 2024 NBA Summer League on Friday in Las Vegas.
That will have to wait for at least one more game, though, as the Lakers were defeated 99-80 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas by the Houston Rockets. James recorded a summer league-high eight points on 3-of-14 shooting in spite of the defeat, maybe his greatest statistical performance of the season.
After losing all three of their games at the California Classic Summer League last week, the Lakers have now dropped their previous four summer games.
It wasn’t all terrible for the Lakers on Friday, either, as first-round selection Dalton Knecht finished with 20 or more points for the second straight game, despite almost giving up triple-digit points. With 15 of his points coming from 3-point range, the former Tennessee Volunteer guard finished with a game-high 25 points on 9 of his 18 shots.
In another game, the Rockets’ three-ranked pick in the 2024 NBA draft, Reed Sheppard, and first-round pick Cam Whitmore, who was named MVP of the 2023 NBA Summer League, combined for 43 points on 17 of 34 shots.
Now that you have that out of the way, take a look at the highlights and update from the Lakers’ 99-80 NBA Summer League loss to the Rockets on Friday:
Q4: Rockets 99, Lakers 80
9:24 p.m.: The Rockets defeat the Lakers 99-80. With a game-high 25 points, Dalton Knecht led the Lakers in scoring. Bronny James finishes with eight points and five rebounds, a summer league high. With 23 points, Reed Sheppard led the Rockets.
9:22 p.m.: Dalton Knecht hits another triple from the top of the key, demonstrating his continued hot hand. Lakers lead the Rockets 18 points, 97-80.
9:21 p.m.: After the Lakers timeout, Dalton Knecht makes a three-point shot. Los Angeles is already 20 points down, 97-77. With 22 points, it marks Knecht’s fourth triple of the evening.
9:20 p.m.: With 2:19 remaining, the Lakers take a timeout on the court as Shahada Wells increases the Rockets’ lead to 97-74.
9:19 p.m.: Action from the SEC on the SEC as Reed Sheppard stops Dalton Knecht’s shot.
9:18 p.m.: Reed Sheppard receives a full-court pass from Cam Whitmore and finishes the pass with a simple slam. With 3:47 remaining, Houston leads 93-74.
9:16 p.m.: With a 3-pointer, Dalton Knecht cuts the Lakers’ deficit to 91-74 over the Rockets. At 19 points, he now leads the Lakers.
9:12 p.m.: Cam Whitmore scores a three-pointer. Fourth-quarter lead for the Rockets is 89-67.
9:10 p.m.: Following the Lakers timeout, Bronny James made a 6-foot driving floater. For the evening, he has eight points.
9:08 p.m.: Bronny James’s three is insufficient. Now, he is 2 out of 10 for the night from the floor. Take a floor timeout.
9:07 p.m.: When the Lakers turn the ball over, N’Faly Dante scores a slam. Lakers trail the Rockets 84–63.
9:05 p.m.: A 3-pointer is missed by Bronny James. James is 2 of 9 from the field for the game, showing that his offensive troubles are still there.
