Bronny James, Lakers blow late lead in California Classic finale

SAN FRANCISCO — Dalton Knecht had 20 points, Colin Castleton had a double-double and Bronny James did a little bit of everything, but the Lakers’ summer league team blew a late lead in an 80-76 loss to the Miami Heat in their California Classic finale on Wednesday night at the Chase Center.

Knecht, the Lakers’ first-round draft pick, shot 7 for 18 from the field (2 for 8 from 3-point range) and grabbed nine rebounds in 31 minutes. Castleton had 18 points and 11 rebounds on 7-for-13 shooting to go with three assists, four blocked shots and two steals in 30 minutes. Second-year forward Maxwell Lewis shook off an 0-for-10 shooting to start to finish with 14 points on 5-for-15 shooting to go with eight rebounds and five assists in 28 minutes.

James, the team’s second-round pick last month, had three points on 1-of-3 shooting to go with five rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals in 29 minutes. He missed his only 3-point attempt but did finish second on the team with a plus-8 rating for his time on the court.

The Lakers (0-3) squandered an eight-point lead with 3½ minutes left. Keshad Johnson (21 points, eight rebounds) and Alondes Williams (21 points, nine rebounds) paced Miami (2-1).

Like his summer league debut over the weekend, the 19-year-old James made his biggest impact on defense. The son of Lakers star LeBron James had four points on 2-for-9 shooting in 21 minutes in his summer league debut then sat out the team’s second game with knee swelling.

When James eventually takes the court with his father, they will become the first father-son combo to play together in NBA history.

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The Lakers now head to the league-wide Summer League in Las Vegas, where they will begin play against the Houston Rockets on Friday at 4:30 p.m. PT.

Originally Published: July 10, 2024 at 8:11 p.m.