The Los Angeles Lakers played their second game of the main NBA summer league on Saturday. In that game, they faced the Dallas Mavericks, and they did so without standout rookie guard Cameron Carr, who was ruled out just prior to the opening tip because of a right thumb contusion.
Forward Adou Thiero, another young prospect Lakers fans have high hopes for, struggled on Saturday after a promising outing on Friday versus the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was 2-of-9 from the field through three quarters and finished 4-of-12 overall, although he did score a solid 15 points while also contributing four rebounds, one ******* ist and one steal.
Instead, Arthur Kaluma, an undrafted forward who is going into his second pro season, stepped up and shone brightly. He attacked the basket early and often, and as the game wore on, he started to get hot from the perimeter.
He tallied 34 points on 11-of-16 overall shooting and 6-of-10 from 3-point range while also adding five rebounds. Thanks to him, the Lakers ran away with a 91-70 victory.
The Lakers badly need 3-and-D and two-way wings and forwards, and at 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds, Kaluma could be a candidate if he continues to play well. On Friday, he registered 18 points while making all five of his shot attempts and all five of his free throw attempts.