Bronny James delivered an efficient scoring performance Monday night, but the Los Angeles Clippers closed strong to secure a 67-58 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in NBA 2K26 Summer League action at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
The Clippers opened the contest with a 22-13 advantage after the first quarter, though the Lakers responded with an 18-10 run in the second to cut the deficit to one at halftime. A fourth-quarter 8-0 burst by the Lakers briefly put them ahead before the Clippers answered with an 11-0 run to seal the victory.
Jordan Miller led the Clippers with 19 points on 7-for-11 shooting, adding seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. The forward drilled a pivotal three-pointer with 3:18 left to erase a two-point deficit and ignite the decisive stretch.
Zavier Simpson contributed 12 points, six assists, and four rebounds, while Patrick Baldwin Jr. and rookie Yanic Konan Niederhauser added 10 points apiece for the Clippers. Baldwin also grabbed seven boards and blocked two shots.
James paced the Lakers with 17 points, shooting 6-for-10 from the field and 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. He also posted five rebounds and five assists, showcasing an all-around game despite the loss.
Cole Swider followed with 16 points and three steals, and Christian Koloko chipped in eight points, three rebounds, and three steals. Dalton Knecht collected eight points and seven boards but struggled to find his rhythm, hitting just 3-of-15 from the floor.
The contest featured 13 lead changes and six ties, reflecting a competitive back-and-forth battle before Miller’s late heroics tilted it in the Clippers’ favor. Both teams struggled from three-point range, combining to shoot under 28 percent from deep, but the Clippers capitalized on points in the paint and forced timely turnovers.
