Along with Bronny, Christian Koloko was a standout performer for the Lakers.
The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 87-78 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas in a match valid for the fourth round of the NBA Summer League 2025. After a balanced first quarter, Boston took advantage of a wave of opponent turnovers to take control of the game and establish an advantage that was maintained until the final stretch on Thursday night.
Los Angeles’s best moment in the second half came after a strong scoring streak by Bronny James, who finished the final two periods with a team-high 18 points, along with five assists and three rebounds. In contrast, the Californian point guard spent the first half without a goal and had a total of eight turnovers.
For the Celtics, Jordan Walsh stepped up to make up for Bronny’s performance and keep the team ahead. The forward had a strong second-half performance, finishing as Boston’s leading scorer with 17 points, six rebounds, and two steals. Spaniard Hugo González started the night with a hot hand and, despite a dip in his performance, finished the game with 13 points on 4/11 shooting, five rebounds, and two steals. Among the reserves, Kenneth Lofton Jr. also stood out, with 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
Along with Bronny, Christian Koloko was a standout performer for the Lakers, putting in a strong performance in the paint, especially on the defensive side. The center finished the night with 12 points, six rebounds, and six blocks. Dalton Knecht, on the other hand, was the California team’s underdog, scoring just eight points on 3/12 shooting, reflecting his struggles to score consistently.
Without qualification for the next phase guaranteed, both teams will complete their participation in the NBA Summer League with a consolation game in the fifth round. The Lakers face the Denver Nuggets this Friday (19), while the Celtics return to the court on Saturday (20) against an opponent yet to be defined.
The Lakers-Celtics matchup started off fairly evenly. Neither team managed to open up a significant lead in the opening minutes, and both teams remained close throughout the first half. Los Angeles proved slightly superior, thanks to a solid defense—although the Celtics also missed open throws or made few shots. Boston’s first-quarter shooting was poor, with just seven shots on 21 field-goal attempts and a 3-of-11 three-point shooting performance.
On the other hand, the California team also struggled on offense, especially with the numerous turnovers, including three committed by Bronny James in the first quarter alone. Despite this, the youngster made up for his offensive mistakes with good defensive intensity.
Even with the Lakers leading the first quarter 26-21, the Celtics quickly found their rhythm in the second period and took their first big lead of the game. A strong sequence, capped by a three-pointer from Hugo González—who had been playing a very solid game up until then—put Boston ahead 30-26.
The situation became even more complicated for the Lakers after Darius Bazley, who had been outstanding with eight points, three rebounds, and two blocks, left the court injured in a wheelchair. Moments later, Boston extended their momentum with a 16-0 run that brought the score to 37-26.
Los Angeles’ offense stalled completely, scoring just nine points in the entire second quarter. Turnovers continued to be a problem, while the Celtics’ defense effectively closed down the gaps and made any attempt to rally difficult. After halftime, the Lakers tried to respond with a more aggressive approach, especially under Bronny James. The point guard came out of the woodwork and excelled with two consecutive baskets and a foul.
At one point, Los Angeles regained the lead, but the Celtics quickly regained control. Capitalizing on another string of errors from their opponent, Boston managed to bring the deficit back to ten points.
In the final stretch, Boston managed its advantage intelligently, creating numerical superiority situations against the Lakers’ lackluster defense. The final minutes were reduced to back-and-forth scoring between the teams. Finally, Jordan Walsh put in a strong performance in the second half, cementing Boston’s victory.
Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
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