LAS VEGAS — The last thing anyone wants in the last game of the day at Las Vegas Summer League: overtime.
The Lakers plunged into extras on Sunday night against the Charlotte Hornets. They wound up losing in the sudden death overtime when Hornets forward JT Thor launched a three from the corner in front of the Lakers’ bench, dropping them to 0-2 at Thomas & Mack Center.
The Lakers had last looks in both regulation and the first overtime, but could not convert. Cole Swider, the two-way contract shooter out of Syracuse, led with 21 points on 6 for 10 shooting. He helped spur the Lakers to the lead in the second half before Charlotte tied the game.
The Lakers had a golden opportunity to win in the first overtime when Mason Jones (13 points) hit a go-ahead 3-pointer, and Swider got a crucial defensive rebound with 14 seconds left and was immediately fouled. But after Swider made the free throws to put the Lakers up three points, Josh Pierre-Louis fouled Ty-Shon Alexander, who made three free throws to tie up the game with 4.3 seconds remaining.
Lakers’ draft pick Max Christie had 10 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assist in 30 minutes. Two-way contract player Scotty Pippen Jr., with his Hall-of-Fame father Scottie Pippen sitting courtside, added 10 points and 7 assists in 30 minutes.
New Lakers head coach Darvin Ham was in attendance, clapping his hands and standing up from his courtside seat as the suspense of the game played out. He was joined by Rob Pelinka, Kurt Rambis, Linda Rambis, Joey Buss and Jesse Buss among the franchise’s key figures. Lakers players Lonnie Walker IX, Damian Jones, Austin Reaves, Wenyen Gabriel and Talen Horton-Tucker also attended.
The Lakers next play the Clippers on Tuesday at 8 p.m. PST.
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