The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off their summer campaign with a spirited yet ultimately disappointing performance at the California Classic, held at the Chase Center in San Francisco on July 5, 2025. Facing off against the hometown Golden State Warriors, the Lakers showcased flashes of promise but ultimately fell 89-84 in a tightly contested game that saw momentum swing dramatically after halftime.
Head coach Beau Levesque, stepping into a head coaching role for the California Classic after joining the Lakers as an assistant under JJ Redick in 2024, fielded a lineup featuring promising young talent. The starting five included Dalton Knecht, Cole Swider, Trey Jemison III, DaJuan Gordon, and DJ Steward. Notably absent were key players Bronny James, Eric Dixon, and Adou Thiero, who were held out of the contest as part of a cautious approach to player management during the summer league.
The Lakers opened the game with vigor, establishing an early 9-2 lead thanks to sharp shooting from Cole Swider and crafty scoring from DJ Steward. Swider, returning for his second Summer League stint with the Lakers and entering his fifth year in the NBA, made an immediate impact by knocking down his first three-point attempt. Steward complemented this by driving to the basket and drawing fouls, creating open looks for his teammates. The Lakers maintained a seven-point lead by the end of the first quarter, holding a 19-11 advantage.
Early in the second quarter, Julian Reese added a strong finish near the rim, and Dalton Knecht finally found his rhythm with a drive to the basket. Despite a brief offensive lull that allowed the Warriors to close the gap to six points midway through the quarter, Steward reignited the Lakers' offense by hitting a three-pointer and getting fouled on another attempt, pushing the lead back to 10 points. However, Golden State rallied late in the half to narrow the gap, sending the Lakers to halftime with a slim 43-39 lead.
The third quarter marked a turning point. The Warriors opened with a swift 7-0 run, erasing the Lakers' lead and forcing a timeout. Though Swider ended the run with his third three-pointer of the game, the Lakers found themselves trailing by two. Defensive struggles became apparent, particularly on the perimeter, where the Lakers' young guards and big men were forced into late challenges, resulting in the Warriors earning 25 free throws throughout the game. Darius Bazley stood out as the Lakers' only consistent defender, adeptly switching on the perimeter and contesting shots at the rim.
As the quarter progressed, the Warriors extended their lead to double digits with another timely three-pointer. The Lakers attempted to mount a comeback, but Golden State responded swiftly, closing the third quarter with a 69-60 lead. The Lakers’ offense sputtered at the start of the fourth quarter, allowing the Warriors to maintain momentum.
Dalton Knecht, the Lakers’ first-round draft pick from last season, struggled offensively, finishing with 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting and missing all six of his three-point attempts. Despite his shooting woes, Knecht contributed defensively with two steals and one block, showing glimpses of his all-around game. Reflecting on his performance, Knecht admitted, "It took a while for me to get going; I didn’t get going at all. I just have to come out ready to play better tomorrow and shake off the rust. My teammates were great, they came out competing, picking up full court, rebounding and crashing the glass, so I’m proud of my team."
Cole Swider was the bright spot for the Lakers, leading all scorers with 24 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting, including an impressive 6-of-8 from beyond the arc. He also grabbed eight rebounds, demonstrating his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Swider, who played seven games for the Lakers in his rookie season, showed that he can be a reliable shooter and scorer at the NBA level.
DJ Steward also made a significant contribution, scoring 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting. His knack for driving to the basket and drawing fouls helped create catch-and-shoot opportunities for his teammates. In his fifth Summer League appearance, Steward was the game's second-leading scorer and co-leader in assists with six. On the experience, Steward said, "This is a good opportunity to be myself. There’s a lot of things [the coaching staff] wants me to hone in on, controlling the controllables, picking up 94 feet, communicating, and getting guys involved." He added, "We got to get the guys together to go out there and play harder than we did today. We have to make sure we’re picking up 94 feet and being more physical."
Despite the loss, the Lakers showed resilience and glimpses of potential that could bode well for the remainder of the summer. The team's defensive lapses, particularly in the second half, will be a key focus for coach Levesque and his staff as they prepare for upcoming games.
Looking ahead, the Lakers will face the Miami Heat on Sunday, July 7, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. PT, continuing their California Classic schedule. They will then conclude the tournament on Tuesday, July 8, against the San Antonio Spurs. Following the California Classic, the Lakers will travel to Nevada for the 2025 Las Vegas Summer League, where they will open against the Dallas Mavericks on July 10. The Mavericks feature the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, Cooper Flagg, setting the stage for a highly anticipated matchup.
The California Classic serves as a valuable proving ground for the Lakers' young core and developing players. While the opening loss to the Warriors was a setback, the team’s offensive sparks and individual performances provide optimism as they continue their summer journey. Fans will be watching closely to see how the Lakers respond in their next outings, hoping for stronger defensive efforts and more consistent scoring from key contributors like Knecht.
As the summer league progresses, the Lakers’ blend of youth and experience will be tested against some of the NBA’s most promising talents. With players like Swider and Steward stepping up, and Knecht looking to regain his shooting touch, the Lakers have the pieces to make a statement in both the California Classic and the upcoming Las Vegas Summer League.
