Lakers vs. Warriors Preview: Bronny & Knecht Aim for Redemption as Lakers Seek First Summer League Win

On July 8, the Los Angeles Lakers face their second opponent in the NBA Summer League California Classic, taking on the Golden State Warriors.

In their opening game, the Lakers fell to the Kings with a score of 94-108, denying them an inaugural victory. The much-anticipated debut of Bronny James came with mixed results. Starting in his first game, Bronny played 21 minutes, shooting 2-for-9, 0-for-3 from beyond the arc, and 0-for-2 from the free throw line, finishing with 4 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists, while his plus-minus was -15, tied for last. Reflecting on his debut, Bronny admitted feeling some nerves: “Every first game stepping up to the next level, there’s always a little bit of nerves there.”

The game garners extra attention due to James’ son, with LeBron himself watching from the USA Basketball training camp via live stream and offering advice: “Adapt to the speed and pace of the game, adapt to the physicality of the NBA. For the California Classic and Summer League, it doesn’t matter how you play; it’s about getting more reps and watching film.”

Alongside Bronny, the Lakers’ 17th overall pick, Knecht, is another focal point. After the draft, many analysts praised the selection. However, in his first outing, Knecht appeared nervous, shooting 3-for-12, 1-for-4 from three, contributing 12 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in 26 minutes as a starter. Given that it was their first appearance, improvements can be expected, and if they both step up, the Lakers could secure their first Summer League win.

The Warriors, on the other hand, started the Summer League with a dominant win, defeating the Heat 105-66 for a strong opening. Despite the absences of Popeye Jones and Davis (who are likely occupied with USA Basketball duties), the team showcased impressive offense, hitting 13 threes, with Poole scoring 26 points on 6-of-9 from three and Thompson leading all scorers with 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting off the bench. The Warriors will be looking to carry their momentum into this match and potentially secure back-to-back victories.

Bronny and Knecht remain the main attractions, and their bounce-back performance will be a key storyline. It’s probable that Jones and Davis won’t feature in this contest, given their commitment to the national team. For more predictions on the game, click here.