SAN FRANCISCO — The Lakers’ summer league team built a double-digit lead in the first half but lost to the Golden State Warriors, 89-84, in the first game of the California Classic on Saturday afternoon at the Chase Center.
The Lakers led by four points at halftime but were outscored 30-17 in the third quarter and never regained the lead.
Cole Swider paced the Lakers, shooting 6 for 8 from 3-point range on his way to a game-high 24 points and a team-best eight rebounds. Swider, entering his fifth season in the NBA, played seven games for the Lakers as a rookie out of Syracuse.
DJ Steward added 20 points on 7-for-10 shooting to go with six assists, but the team struggled on defense throughout the game.
Dalton Knecht, coming off an up-and-down rookie season, was held to 10 points on 3-for-13 shooting (0 for 6 from 3-point range).
Darius Bazley added 10 points and was a defensive standout with three blocked shots in 24 minutes.
Bronny James traveled with the Lakers but did not suit up.
Second-round pick Adou Thiero, whom the Lakers selected with the No. 36 pick in last month’s draft, won’t participate in the team’s summer league games. He’s in the final stages of his return-to-play process from a left knee ailment he dealt with at Arkansas and is expected to be fully cleared in time for training camp. Undrafted free agent Eric Dixon, who signed a two-way contract with the Lakers, was also held out.
Cal State Fullerton product Jackson Rowe (13 points, eight rebounds), USC product Isaiah Mobley (13 points) and Blake Hinson (12 points) paced the Warriors.
The Lakers, who will play three games in four days at the California Classic, face the Miami Heat on Sunday at 1:30 p.m., then square off with the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
The team will then head to Las Vegas to participate in the league-wide 2K26 Summer League, with their first game scheduled for Thursday at 5 p.m. PT against the Dallas Mavericks at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The Lakers’ summer league team is being coached by assistant coach Beau Levesque during the California Classic, with assistant coach Lindsey Harding taking over for the Las Vegas games.