​After playing three games in the California Classic a few days earlier, the Los Angeles Lakers opened their main NBA summer league schedule on Friday with a matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The hometown crowd at the Thomas & Mack Center, as well as viewers watching the stream, did not walk away disappointed. The Lakers surged into a comfortable lead in the second quarter and never relinquished it. They shot 53.6 percent from the field while holding Oklahoma City to 41.4 percent and forcing 20 turnovers, ultimately securing a 96-84 victory.
Four players stood out for Los Angeles, including two prospects many fans hope will contribute this coming season. Kaluma, who spent the previous season with the Lakers’ G League affiliate, produced solid all-around numbers and demonstrated efficient scoring both inside and on the perimeter. Off the bench Friday, the 6-foot-7 forward went a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor, including a 3-pointer, and connected on all five of his free throws for 15 points in 16 minutes. He also contributed four rebounds and one assist.
Watson, another forward who spent last season with the Lakers’ G League squad, also drew attention. Standing 6-foot-8 and weighing 225 pounds, he played five years at Gonzaga University and was selected in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics in the second round. In Friday’s game, he started at center and delivered 15 points on 6-for-12 shooting, including 3-for-6 from beyond the arc, along with four assists, one rebound and one steal.
Thiero is a 6-foot-7 wing entering his second NBA season, and Lakers supporters are hoping he can carve out a role in the rotation. While his perimeter shooting remains a work in progress, he flashed significant potential with a lively performance on Friday. He finished with several alley-oop dunks by moving without the ball and finding angles near the basket. Off the dribble, he continued to show a knack for attacking the rim, and while he initially struggled to convert on drives, he gradually found his rhythm as the game progressed. The 22-year-old totaled 20 points on 14 attempts, making eight buckets. He shot 0-for-5 from three-point range and missed three of his five free throws, but the overall impact was evident, as he began to establish himself as a presence on both ends.
On defense, Thiero contributed three steals and two blocks, including a highlight-block in transition against Nate Johnson after hustling back down the floor. He also pulled down four rebounds and handed out four assists, underscoring his well-rounded game and energy.
Meanwhile, Carr, the No. 24 pick in last month’s NBA draft, continues to project as a player who could push for rotation minutes with the Lakers this fall. At 6-foot-5, he displayed a polished offensive game and appears capable of scoring from all three levels. He finished 7-for-13 from the floor for 18 points, adding one of five from three-point range. He also showed good movement without the ball, creating opportunities for himself and teammates and suggesting he could develop into a versatile scoring option in coming seasons.