Summer League is weird. You’ve got half-empty arenas in Sacramento or San Francisco, some overworked announcers trying to remember who the 14th man on a rebuilding roster is, and players who might be in Europe by October playing like their lives depend on it. But every now and then, you get a game that actually feels like basketball.
The Lakers vs Spurs summer league matchup on July 8, 2025, at the California Classic was exactly that. Honestly, most people were just tuning in to see if Bronny James could shake off a slow start or if the Spurs’ new lottery picks would look like the next iteration of the Duncan-era dynasty. What they got instead was a gritty, ugly, and ultimately thrilling 89-88 Lakers win that turned on a dime in the final minutes.
It wasn't just a random exhibition. For the Lakers, it was a desperate search for shooting. For the Spurs, it was about finding the right pieces to surround Victor Wembanyama for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
The Dalton Knecht Heat Check That Saved the Night
If you weren't watching the fourth quarter, you missed a literal explosion. With about six minutes left, the Spurs were comfortably ahead by nine points. It felt over. The Lakers' offense had been stagnant, mostly relying on Darius Bazley’s sheer athleticism to stay afloat. Then Dalton Knecht decided he’d seen enough.
Knecht, the former Tennessee standout who the Lakers snagged in the 2024 draft, basically took over the game. He scored 15 points in those final six minutes alone. He hit back-to-back triples that forced a Spurs timeout and completely sucked the air out of San Antonio's momentum. You could see the confidence growing with every shot; he finished with 25 points and 8 rebounds, looking exactly like the floor-spacer the Lakers have been craving for years.
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The most dramatic moment, though, wasn't a three. It was a miss. With 13 seconds left and the Lakers trailing by one, Knecht pulled up for a shot that rattled off the rim. Darius Bazley—who was the best player on the floor for large stretches—soared over everyone for a monster putback dunk. 89-88. The Spurs had one last chance, but the Lakers' defense swarmed Omari Moore, forcing a contested fadeaway that went nowhere.
What Most People Get Wrong About Bronny’s Performance
Look, the box score for Bronny James was rough. There is no way to sugarcoat 2 points on 1-of-5 shooting with three turnovers in 15 minutes. If you just look at the stats, it looks like a disaster. But if you actually watched the game—the way the scouts in the building were—it was a bit more nuanced.
Early on, Bronny actually looked comfortable. He started the second quarter with a slick steal off an inbound pass. He threw three or four "hockey assists"—passes that led to the pass that led to the score—that won’t show up in any traditional metric.
"It’s a stage to showcase the flawed, fascinating ranks of the league." - J. Kyle Mann, The Ringer.
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That's the reality of summer league. Bronny’s struggles are real—he airballed an open corner three in the third quarter that had social media in a frenzy—but his decision-making in transition remains his best trait. He isn’t a primary scorer yet. Maybe he never will be. But the "bust" narrative usually ignores the defensive energy he brings when the shots aren't falling.
The Spurs’ New Look: Life After the Draft
While the Lakers were celebrating the comeback, San Antonio fans were getting their first real look at how the roster is filling out. David Jones-Garcia was an absolute problem for the Lakers' perimeter defenders. He dropped 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting, showing a level of bucket-getting ability that the Spurs desperately need to take the pressure off Wembanyama.
Interestingly, the Spurs’ second-overall pick, Dylan Harper, didn’t suit up for this California Classic finale. The team chose to save him for the Las Vegas leg of the summer. That left the heavy lifting to guys like Carter Bryant and Riley Minix. Bryant, a 3-and-D wing archetype, showed flashes of being the perfect "glue guy" for the modern NBA. He doesn't need the ball to be effective, which is a rare trait for a young prospect.
The Darius Bazley Factor
We have to talk about Darius Bazley. It’s easy to forget he’s been in the league for six years because he still feels like a prospect. In this Lakers vs Spurs summer league showdown, he was the grown man in the room. He finished with 27 points and 13 rebounds.
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He wasn’t just scoring; he was punishing the Spurs’ smaller wings. His presence inside allowed the Lakers to stay competitive while their guards were struggling to find the range. It’s the kind of performance that earns a veteran a training camp invite or a two-way contract. Since this game, we've seen the Lakers continue to shuffle their depth, even signing G League standout Kobe Bufkin to a 10-day contract later in the season to shore up the backcourt. Bazley’s performance in July was the blueprint for how a veteran should approach these games: dominate the glass, play physical, and don't try to do too much.
Tactical Takeaways: Why the 2025 Summer League Mattered
- Shooting is the only currency. The Lakers' 15-5 run to end the game happened because they finally hit shots. Dalton Knecht’s ability to draw gravity away from the paint is going to be vital for JJ Redick's offensive schemes.
- Defensive versatility. The Spurs are building a "switch-everything" monster. Even in a loss, their ability to rotate and contest at the rim—led by Osayi Osifo and Carter Bryant—was impressive.
- The "California Classic" vs. Vegas. This game was played at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Unlike the Vegas games, which are massive spectacles, these smaller tournaments are where you see the real developmental work. It was a closed-door environment for some sessions, which honestly helps these young kids focus on the game rather than the highlight reels.
The Lakers eventually moved on to Vegas to face Cooper Flagg and the Mavericks, but this win over the Spurs served as the foundation. It proved that Knecht belonged. It proved Bazley still has NBA utility. And it reminded everyone that in the Spurs-Lakers rivalry, even the "meaningless" games usually end with someone diving for a loose ball.
If you’re tracking these players into the regular season, keep an eye on the shooting splits. Knecht’s fourth-quarter flurry wasn't a fluke—it was a preview. Watch how the Spurs integrate David Jones-Garcia into their secondary unit; his scoring punch is legitimate. For the Lakers, the next step is finding a way to get Bronny James more comfortable in half-court sets, as his transition game is already miles ahead of his set-shooting.