Recap: Lakers End Las Vegas Summer League With Loss To Nuggets

The Los Angeles Lakers concluded a disappointing 3-4 Summer League performance with a 106-84 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday. Several key players, including Bronny James, Dalton Knecht, Darius Bazley, Arthur Kaluma, and Trey Jemison, were absent from the lineup for this final game.

Predictably struggling offensively due to the missing players, the Lakers saw Cole Swider carry the early load, scoring their first nine points and finishing the first quarter with 14 points. Despite Swider's efforts and a brief lead after a Christian Koloko block led to another Swider three-pointer, the Lakers trailed 25-24 after one quarter. RJ Davis started the second quarter strong with eight quick points and an assist, but the team went cold, allowing the Nuggets an 8-0 run to end the half leading 47-43.

Ethan Taylor, seeing limited action this summer, hit back-to-back three-pointers in the third quarter, followed by one from DaJuan Gordon, briefly regaining the lead for the Lakers. However, poor transition play and rebounding, coupled with Swider cooling off after his hot first half, allowed the Nuggets to pull ahead 76-69 entering the fourth quarter. Taylor and Davis tried to keep the Lakers competitive offensively in the final period, but the Nuggets extended their lead with hot shooting from deep and in transition. Undermanned, the Lakers were unable to mount a comeback.

With the Summer League concluded, Lakers players will now take time off before returning to work on improving their games. Many players are expected back for training camp, aiming to showcase their skills to earn a roster spot with the Lakers or their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.