Heat Drop Summer-League Game to Lakers 103-83 as Rookies Struggle

The Miami Heat’s summer-league squad fell 103-83 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday in the California Classic at San Francisco’s Chase Center, slipping to 1-1 in the three-game mini-tournament. Second-year center Kel’el Ware supplied 12 points on 4-of-10 shooting, three rebounds and a block across 28 minutes, but the No. 15 pick in the 2024 draft again failed to impose himself at either end. Rookie guard Kasparas Jakucionis, taken 20th overall last month, remained quiet with four points and five turnovers after a 1-for-7 debut a day earlier. Summer-league coach Erik Glass withheld veterans Pelle Larsson, Keshad Johnson and Kira Lewis Jr. to give extended run to the two first-round picks. Los Angeles was led by Cole Swider’s 20 points, while Bronny James added 10. Miami completes its California Classic slate against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday before shifting to the larger Las Vegas Summer League later in the week.