​LAS VEGAS — The Lakers opened the Las Vegas portion of their Summer League schedule with a 96-84 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night at the Thomas & Mack Center. Adou Thiero supplied the energy and produced many of the highlights, finishing with a team-high 20 points, three steals and two blocks. The second-year forward repeatedly attacked the basket and capped his night with a windmill dunk in the second quarter, a stretch that helped the Lakers seize control of the game. “All the fans in here, got to put on a show,” Thiero said afterward. “Lake Show for a reason.”
Rookie guard Cameron Carr continued his encouraging summer with 18 points and two blocks, while Arthur Kaluma also scored 18, giving the Lakers three players with at least 18 points. Los Angeles led 53-43 at halftime and then pulled away in the third quarter. Carr and Thiero connected on alley-oop plays, the Lakers stretched their lead to 20 by the end of the period, and Oklahoma City never mounted a significant comeback.
The Lakers’ athleticism was on full display throughout the night. Thiero consistently created pressure around the rim, while Carr showed comfort scoring from the perimeter and the elbows. Chris Mañon helped set the defensive tone, and two-way players Peter Suder and AK Okereke contributed to a balanced effort. Thunder guard Bennett Stirtz led Oklahoma City with 18 points.
The Summer League roster drew strong support from the organization’s established players. Collin Sexton, Jaden Hardy, Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht and Sandro Mamukelashvili were among those seen courtside, providing a visible signal of the franchise’s focus on its younger talent. The group watched from near the court as the Lakers’ rookies, two-way players and other young prospects opened their Vegas schedule with a victory. Their presence underscored the organizational emphasis on Carr, Thiero, and the Lakers’ three two-way players.
The Lakers have a quick turnaround, facing the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday at 7 p.m. PT in their second game of back-to-back play before a two-day break ahead of Tuesday’s matchup with the Clippers. The Clippers did not play Friday after opening their Vegas schedule with a 91-85 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, and they return to the floor Sunday at 7 p.m. PT against the Utah Jazz. That game will give rookie guard Keaton Wagler an opportunity to respond after a difficult shooting performance in his Summer League debut. The Clippers will then meet the Lakers on Tuesday for the first clash between the two Los Angeles teams this summer.
The night also featured prominent appearances from established players who joined in Las Vegas action. Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kel’el Ware were courtside for the Miami Heat’s 119-86 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. All three were part of the offseason trade context surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future, a note that added extra intrigue to a busy Friday slate in Las Vegas.