Bronny starts show, Castleton closes it as Lakers earn first win of summer

Six games into summer league play, the Los Angeles Lakers have picked up its first win.

The Lakers eked past the Atlanta Hawks, 87-86, Wednesday, July 17 from the Thomas & Mack Center to cap Day 6 of the Las Vegas Summer League. With first round picks Zaccharie Risacher and Dalton Knecht not in action, second round pick Bronny James took center stage in the win.

“Just trying to keep my confidence,” James said. “Just going out there and playing my game. I feel like I know the right way to play so if I go out there and play my game every game results like that will come.”

James cracked the scoreboard first for either side on a midrange jumper from near the top of the key. Not long after, he’d score in the paint off a touch pass from the baseline as part of a 10-0 Los Angeles run early out the gate.

“You hit your first shot and you automatically feel good,” he said. “Like that first three that I made, it just opened up the game for me.”

Atlanta guard Jarkel Joiner hit back-to-back threes to give his team the lead, serving as the first lead change of the game. James would regain the lead for the fan-favorite LA team on a swooping finger roll in the lane.

The No. 55 overall pick would also hit the first of his two threes in that second quarter on his way to nine first half points which led all scorers. His second three of the game tied the game at 79 apiece with under four left to play.

James reached double-figures for the first time as a pro, scoring 12 points after entering play with a points per game average of just over four points.

“Just trying to stay sane,” he said. “Also still looking out for the support system has been really good for me.”

Coming out of halftime, the Hawks nailed three straight triples to turn a three-point deficit at the break into a six-point lead. They’d turn that run into an eventual 13-point lead later in the third.

Lakers forward Blake Hinson hit all four of his three-point field goals in the second half as part of the successful comeback effort. In total, both teams combined to drain 25 long balls.

Los Angeles was treated to a monster stat line from center Colin Castleton that featured a double-double along with a significant scoring stretch to cap it. The undrafted product from last year tied for the game-high with 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and two steals.

Castleton scored seven straight points after James’ three late in regulation.

“It felt good to win honestly,” Castleton said. “I didn’t really care about what I did.”