The Los Angeles Lakers headed into the Las Vegas Summer League postseason Wednesday night at 1-2, setting up a first round matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Lakers rookie point guard Lonzo Ball, the No. 2 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, missed the team’s third game with a groin injury, but returned to the court Wednesday night.
Ball came out looking strong, dishing out six assists in the first quarter including a couple full court passes to Kyle Kuzma, leading to easy finishes.
But with his team falling down by double digits in the second half, Ball began attacking the basket more looking to score, and he was able to finish at the rim time after time, demonstrating why he is one of the most promising young players in the league.
Ball finished the game with 36 points on 12-of-22 shooting, while adding 11 assists, eight rebounds, five steals and two blocks. 30 of those points came in the second half, and he was able to bring the Lakers all the way back from 15 points down midway through the third quarter to win the game 103-102.
With the win the Lakers move onto the second round of the postseason, as they will take on the No. 2 seeded Cleveland Cavaliers Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. Pacific time at the Thomas & Mack Center.