​The Los Angeles Lakers took the floor for their second official appearance in the NBA Summer League on Saturday, facing off against the Dallas Mavericks. The game saw the Lakers without standout rookie guard Cameron Carr, who was ruled out just before the tip due to a right thumb contusion. His absence left a noticeable gap in the lineup as Los Angeles sought to rebound from their opening showcase and build momentum heading into the rest of the summer league slate.
Adou Thiero, a forward many Lakers fans have high hopes for after a promising debut against the Oklahoma City Thunder just a day earlier, had a tougher outing this time around. He labored through three quarters, connecting on just 2-of-9 from the field. He finished 4-of-12 overall, a stat line that underscored the challenges he faced on this night. Thiero did manage to contribute 15 points, along with four rebounds, one assist, and one steal, but the efficiency numbers were not what the Lakers would have wanted as the game progressed. It was a step back from Friday’s performance, where Thiero showed flashes of what makes him a potential breakout piece for the Lakers this summer.
In contrast, Arthur Kaluma emerged as the star of the show for Los Angeles. The undrafted forward, entering his second pro season after a strong college career at Creighton and a recent stint with the Lakers’ G League affiliate, delivered a standout performance that carried the night for his team. Kaluma attacked aggressively from the opening minutes, driving to the basket with purpose and showing no hesitation to pull up and fire from beyond the arc as the game went on. By the time the final buzzer sounded, Kaluma had posted a dominant 34 points on 11-of-16 shooting overall and a scorching 6-of-10 from three-point range. He also contributed five rebounds, providing a well-rounded line that underscored his value on both ends of the floor. Kaluma’s performance helped lift the Lakers to a decisive 91-70 victory, marking a strong statement in the summer league and offering a tantalizing glimpse of what he might become if he can sustain this level of play.
The Lakers’ roster this summer continues to emphasize the need for versatile wings and forwards who can defend multiple positions and knock down shots from the perimeter. Kaluma, at 6-foot-7 and about 225 pounds, has the physical profile that could translate into valuable two-way contributions if his shooting and decision-making continue to improve. The first two games of summer league have already given fans something to monitor as Kaluma looks to carve out a role, while Thiero and the absent Carr remain interesting variables in the Lakers’ broader development plan.
Kaluma’s resume includes a recent season spent with the Lakers’ G League affiliate, following his final year at the University of Texas. His ability to score in a variety of ways and to stretch the floor could make him a candidate for increased opportunities as summer league actions unfold, provided he can keep up this level of production. In the Dallas game, Suder, a rookie guard from the University of Miami, supplied the Lakers with 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting, while Chris Mañon, starting at guard, added 10 points, eight rebounds, and one assist, illustrating the depth and competition within the Lakers’ camp as the summer league progresses.
This latest performance underscores the ongoing evaluation process for the Lakers as they assess a fresh wave of prospects in a setting designed to showcase talent and potential. Kaluma’s breakout night gives Lakers fans one of the more encouraging takeaways from the Saturday matchup, presenting a picture of a player who could contribute in a variety of ways if his form holds. Though Thiero defaulted to a more difficult shooting night, the overall result — a convincing 91-70 win — signals the Lakers’ capability to play with pace and aggression when their supporting cast steps up. As the summer league carries on, all eyes will remain on Kaluma’s continued development, Thiero’s adjustment and improvement, and how the team will integrate without Carr’s presence on the floor.