Ball returns as the Lakers advance to Round 2 of the Summer League
By Tadi Abedje
The man nicknamed “Zo” was rocking one of Kobe Bryant’s shoes instead of his own as led the Lakers to a 15 point comeback victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, 103 to 102. The team shot 51.4 percent from the field and rebounded Philly, 37 to 34.
The number two overall pick played like a Big Baller as he scored 36 points on 12 of 22 shooting, 11 assists, eight rebounds, and had five steals in 36 minutes of play. His baseball pass from full court to Kyle Kuzma for a dunk was a highlight reel. He scored 24 of his 36 in the second half when the team need him the most after getting his teammates involved in the first half.
“It wasn’t about me, it was about the team. We got down big and it took all five of us to come back and credit to them. Gotta keep going on from here,” said Ball.
He admitted that he needs to cut down on the turnovers as he had six of them.
According to the RealGM’s summer league database, no player since 2004 scored 30 points and had 10 assists in a Summer League game.
Ivica Zubac, who has struggled in the first three Summer League games, came up huge as he knocked down the two game winning free throws with under five seconds left in the game. The team’s second round pick in 2016 had 21 points on 7 of 11 from the floor, including making seven of 10 from the charity stripe, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks in 25 minutes.
Kuzma, who returned after sitting out against the Kings because of an injury, scored 13 points on six of 14 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds. He has been the most consistent player this summer for LA as he is averaging 17.6 points, eight rebounds and three assists per game.
Undrafted rookie free agent Matt Thomas had 10 points, four rebounds and two assists in 18 minutes as a starter.
For the Sixers, Furkan Korkmaz led them with 19 points on eight of 14 shooting in 23 minutes. The team’s former first round pick is hoping to contribute after playing last season in Turkey for a club called Anadolu Efes S.K.
Larry Drew II had 15 points on five made three point shots and had 8 assists in 25 minutes. He started in place of the number one overall pick, Markelle Fultz, who sat out with an ankle injury.
Alex Poytress, who signed with the team late last season, scored 16 points on seven of 11 from the floor and five rebounds. James Blackmon Jr. had 15 in 13 minutes off the bench.
They blew an opportunity hold on to their big lead as their Summer League season comes to an end.
The Lakers will play the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Round Two today at 10:30 pm in Las Vegas.