Lakers grab first Vegas Summer League win in nailbiter ending

Lakers grab their first Vegas Summer League win in nailbiter ending https://t.co/76rQlcdL31

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) July 18, 2024

It took a fourth-quarter rally, but the Lakers finally earned their first Summer League win, beating the Atlanta Hawks 87-86 on Wednesday night.

With Dalton Knecht out, Bronny James would be the only center of attention and he delivered his best performance. He ended with 12 points, going 5-11 from the field. Colin Castleton scored 17 points, along with 12 rebounds, six assists and two steals.

Armel Traoré had eight points, one rebound, one assist and two steals and Sean East II pitched in with six points, grabbed five rebounds and dished six assists.

Mohamed Diarra had a nice game off the bench with eight points. Blake Hinson shot 4-10 from behind the arc and ended with 14 points.

In a rarity for this Lakers Summer League team, they jumped to a quick 12-2 lead with Bronny scoring early. He and Castleton took charge and the team seemed incredibly focused. The Hawks were able to answer with an 8-0 run to make it a two-point game.

Hinson, who struggled heavily from behind the arc, caught fire in the quarter with three straight makes. The Hawks maintained the lead into the fourth by nine.

However, the Lakers didn’t fold and cut the deficit down to six. Hinson’s second-half explosion made it a fun back-and-forth between the teams.

Then Bronny tied the game on a 3-pointer with 3:31 left.

L.A. picked up their defense and made the Hawks struggle with their shots. Los Angeles jumped ahead by three with two minutes left and suddenly, Atlanta missed the shots they converted on in the third quarter.

It was a one-point lead for L.A. with seconds remaining when the Hawks stole the ball and failed to get a shot off in time—giving the Lakers their first win of the Summer League.