​The door swung wide for Arthur Kaluma to demonstrate his value with the Lakers in the NBA Summer League on Saturday night, and he seized the moment in a resounding fashion. Kaluma dropped 34 points and grabbed five rebounds as Los Angeles cruised to a 91-70 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at the Thomas & Mack Center. He connected on 11 of 16 shots from the floor and converted six of his 10 attempts from beyond the arc, showcasing a well-rounded scoring night that underscored his potential with the Lakers in the summer showcase.
Late in the fourth quarter, Kaluma stepped back for a massive 29-foot three-pointer, setting his feet and letting it fly. He lined up the shot, flashed three fingers toward the bench, and flashed a smile as the ball swished through the net. The moment drew an eruption from teammates on the bench and from the fans in attendance, highlighting the electricity Kaluma can create when his rhythm is humming.
Kaluma spent last season with the South Bay Lakers, where he averaged 14.6 points per game, 4.9 rebounds, and shot 55 percent from the field plus 37 percent from three-point range. In Las Vegas, his performance this weekend suggested he could be a key contributor for the Lakers as they push to maximize their depth and versatility in the Summer League setting.
The Lakers didn’t rely on Kaluma alone to improve to 2-0 in Summer League play. Adou Thiero was also a standout, pushing the tempo on the court and finishing a highlight-worthy sequence with a two-handed dunk after catching a lob pass from Chris Mañón. Thiero totaled 15 points and four rebounds, providing a solid all-around showing. He connected on four of 12 from the field but was a plus-15 for the game, a reflection of how his energy and defense translated into positive on-court impact for Los Angeles.
Cameron Carr, the Lakers’ rookie guard selected with the 24th pick in the NBA draft, was limited by a right thumb contusion that kept him out of key additional reps. Carr has been averaging 17 points per game during Summer League play, and his absence left Kaluma and Thiero to shoulder more of the scoring load in this matchup. The Lakers’ performance in the opening games of Summer League has offered a glimpse into the team’s depth and the potential roles Kaluma and Thiero could carve out as they compete for rotations entering the regular season.
As the Summer League slate continues, fans and evaluators will be watching Kaluma’s shooting efficiency, decision-making, and defensive activity to determine how his skill set can best fit within the Lakers’ core. The early showings suggest he possesses the scoring versatility and confidence to be a valuable asset as the Lakers build it out through the remainder of the summer showcase and beyond. This story first appeared in the Los Angeles Times, and it is being shared to highlight the legwork and potential impact Kaluma demonstrated on Saturday night. Sign up for our weekly Lakers newsletter to stay in the loop on all things related to the team.