Bazley And Knecht Combine For 52 Points, Leading Lakers To Comeback Victory Over Spurs

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In an electrifying showdown at the 2025 California Classic, the Los Angeles Lakers secured a dramatic 89-88 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, thanks to standout performances from Darius Bazley and Dalton Knecht. With just 13 seconds remaining, Bazley delivered a clutch putback dunk to seal the win, while Knecht broke free from his shooting slump to contribute a much-needed scoring burst.

Bazley’s Heroics Steal the Spotlight

Darius Bazley, a versatile forward looking to cement his role with the Lakers’ main roster, stole the show with a 27-point performance, capped off by the game-winning dunk that electrified the Chase Center crowd in San Francisco.

Throughout the game, Bazley showcased his full arsenal:

Aggressive drives to the basket,
Confident mid-range jumpers,
Strong defensive effort,
And relentless work on the glass.

But it was his crucial offensive rebound and powerful slam with the clock winding down that defined the night. The Lakers, trailing by one, watched Bazley sky above the crowd after a missed shot and hammer the ball home, giving his team an 89-88 lead they would protect until the final buzzer.

Dalton Knecht Breaks Free from Shooting Woes

After struggling with his shot in earlier California Classic games, Dalton Knecht, the Lakers’ 2024 first-round pick, finally found his rhythm. Knecht poured in 25 points, showing flashes of why the Lakers view him as a future scoring weapon.

Knecht connected from:

Deep beyond the arc,
Mid-range pull-ups,
And smart cuts to the basket.

He not only filled up the box score but also showed better shot selection and defensive effort. It was the kind of performance the Lakers coaching staff had been waiting for as they continue evaluating Knecht’s role ahead of training camp.

Spurs Put Up a Strong Fight

Despite the heartbreaking loss, the San Antonio Spurs delivered an impressive showing. Their young roster, filled with Summer League hopefuls and rotational players, pushed the Lakers to the brink.

Standout performances included:

Blake Wesley, who controlled the pace and added 19 points,
Dominick Barlow, anchoring the defense and contributing offensively in the paint,
And Sidy Cissoko, who added energy on both ends of the floor.

The Spurs led for much of the game, capitalizing on Lakers turnovers and fast break opportunities. But late-game execution faltered, and they couldn’t keep Bazley off the boards when it mattered most.

California Classic Wraps Up on a High Note

The California Classic, a Summer League precursor before the teams head to Las Vegas, has given the Lakers plenty to think about. This finale win leaves them with positive momentum as they assess their roster.

Key takeaways for the Lakers:

Darius Bazley is playing himself into serious consideration for a roster spot as a versatile forward.
Dalton Knecht showed resilience and adaptability, crucial traits for a rookie adjusting to NBA-level competition.
Young players like Scotty Pippen Jr. and Maxwell Lewis contributed with energy and hustle, rounding out a balanced effort.

For the Spurs, while the result stings, they leave San Francisco with valuable experience for their young core as they prepare for more action in Vegas.

Bazley’s Resurgence Story

Bazley’s path back to NBA relevance has been anything but smooth. After being drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019, his career was marked by flashes of brilliance but lacked consistency. Now, after stints with the Suns and various G League teams, Bazley is embracing his role as a veteran leader among Summer League hopefuls.

He explained after the game:

“I’ve been in this league long enough to know every possession counts. I wanted to show the coaches that I’m ready for those big moments.”

His leadership on and off the court has been noted by Lakers staff, who are looking for depth and experience to surround their superstar core.

Knecht Proves He Can Handle Pressure

The Lakers drafted Dalton Knecht with the expectation that he would provide outside shooting and scoring off the wing. But early Summer League performances showed a player still adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NBA game.

Knecht’s bounce-back performance against the Spurs showed growth:

He didn’t force shots when his rhythm was off early.
He let the game come to him.
And in the fourth quarter, he confidently drained back-to-back threes that swung momentum in the Lakers’ favor.

Speaking to reporters post-game, Knecht said:

“It felt good to finally see the ball go in. I’ve been putting in the work, and tonight it finally paid off.”

A Sneak Peek at the Lakers’ Bench Depth

Beyond Bazley and Knecht, the California Classic offered a glimpse into what the Lakers’ bench might look like in 2025-26.

Key observations:

Colin Castleton, the big man out of Florida, showed soft hands and great vision as a passing big.
Maxwell Lewis, though streaky, flashed potential as a 3-and-D wing.
Scotty Pippen Jr. continued to show leadership at the point guard spot, setting up teammates and playing smart defense.

While some of these players will likely spend time in the G League, others could find themselves suiting up alongside LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Lakers’ veteran core during the regular season.

Defensive Lapses Still a Concern

While the offensive performances stole headlines, defensively the Lakers showed they still have room for improvement. They allowed the Spurs to shoot efficiently for three quarters, often giving up easy buckets in transition and failing to rotate on weak-side help.

Lakers Summer League coach JD DuBois acknowledged the issue:

“I loved the way we battled back late, but we can’t keep playing from behind. Defensive discipline has to be our foundation moving forward.”

Expect the coaching staff to drill that point home before Summer League play resumes in Las Vegas.

Looking Ahead: Vegas Summer League Awaits

With the California Classic now in the rearview mirror, the Lakers head to Las Vegas where they’ll face tougher competition and showcase more of their young talent. All eyes will be on Bazley and Knecht to see if they can build on this momentum.

For Bazley, the question is whether his two-way contributions are enough to earn him a permanent roster spot.

For Knecht, it’s about proving he can be a consistent scoring threat when the lights get brighter and the competition tougher.

Vegas will also give more minutes to players like:

Alex Fudge, a defensive-minded forward,
Damion Baugh, a combo guard looking to stick,
And Mikey Williams, whose off-court questions have drawn as much attention as his on-court skill.

Spurs’ Young Core Shows Promise

On the Spurs’ side, head coach Mitch Johnson leaves the California Classic feeling optimistic. Despite the loss, his players showed grit and teamwork, laying the groundwork for the Spurs’ rebuild alongside franchise cornerstone Victor Wembanyama.

Key pieces like Blake Wesley and Dominick Barlow are showing they could play meaningful minutes next season, offering much-needed depth to San Antonio’s youthful lineup.

Final Thoughts: A Summer Classic Worth Remembering

The California Classic is often an overlooked event in the NBA calendar, but games like this one remind fans why Summer League matters. It’s where:

Dreams are made and careers revived.
Players like Bazley rediscover their confidence.
Rookies like Knecht find their footing.
And coaches begin to identify future contributors.

For the Lakers, an 89-88 win over the Spurs may be a small blip on the offseason radar, but for Bazley and Knecht, it’s a game they won’t soon forget. Their heroics not only secured a victory but also gave Lakers fans a reason to believe that the team’s youth movement could produce meaningful depth behind the superstars.

As the Summer League caravan rolls on to Las Vegas, all eyes will be watching to see if this was the start of something bigger for Darius Bazley, Dalton Knecht, and the future of the Los Angeles Lakers.

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