SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Guard Chris Mañon delivered 24 points and a string of key defensive plays Monday, guiding the Los Angeles Lakers’ Summer League squad to an 88-84 victory against the San Antonio Spurs in the California Classic at Golden 1 Center.
The result moved Los Angeles to 2-1 in the three-game showcase and sent the team to Las Vegas on a two-game winning streak.
Slow start, strong finish
The Lakers opened with a new starting lineup—William Hickey, Cameron Carr, Mañon, AK Okereke and Robbie Avila—but committed five quick turnovers and trailed 11-4. Eight first-quarter giveaways left them down 21-15 after one period.
San Antonio pushed the margin to 46-38 at halftime, led by former South Bay Laker RJ Davis, who had 13 of his 18 points before the break.
Los Angeles flipped the game in the third quarter, tightening its defense and closing the period ahead 65-62. A unit featuring Arthur Kaluma, William Kyle III, Luke Goode and Mañon fueled the surge.
Mañon takes over
Mañon finished 7-for-10 from the field and added eight rebounds, two steals and three blocks. Kaluma supported him with 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting.
For the Spurs, JaKobi Gillespie scored 19 points, while Davis had 18. Emanuel Miller supplied 14, and Tarris Reed Jr. posted a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double.
Injury note
Second-year forward Adou Thiero was a late scratch because of a right wrist injury. The team did not disclose a timetable for evaluation.
Next up: Las Vegas Summer League
The Lakers open their five-game Las Vegas slate Friday, July 10, against the Oklahoma City Thunder at 7 p.m. PT on Amazon Prime. They face the Dallas Mavericks on July 11 (ESPN), the LA Clippers on July 14 (Amazon Prime) and the Chicago Bulls on July 16 (Amazon Prime). A fifth opponent will be determined later.
Source: LakersNation
