The Celtics look to get back in the win column as they take on the Los Angeles Lakers in Summer League action. The Lakers played in the California Summer League before coming to Vegas. They went 2-1 there, beating Miami and San Antonio and losing to Golden State. Both of these teams last played on Monday with the Celtics losing to the Heat 100-96 and the Lakers losing to the Clippers 67-58.
The Celtics roster includes 15 players including undrafted players, the Celtics 3 draft picks, 2 way players and 2 players from the Celtics roster last season. Jordan Walsh returns as a 4th year player. Baylor Scheierman is entering his second season after showing some flashes last season. Miles Norris returns after half a season as a 2 way player with the Celtics.
The Celtics 3 draft picks are also playing for the Celtics in Summer League. Hugo Gonzalez, the Celtics lone first round pick, is expected to be on the Celtics roster this season was exciting to watch against the Grizzlies, sat out against the Knicks in the first half of back to back games and struggled a bit against the Heat. The Celtics 2nd round picks, Amari Williams and Max Shulga, are both expected to sign 2-way contracts with the Celtics this season.
Charles Bassey, who wasn’t on the Celtics roster until just before their first game, was perhaps the Celtics biggest surprise in their first 2 games. Bassey was the 53rd pick by Philadelphia in 2021 and was waived after one year. He was signed by San Antonio as a 2 way player but was later converted to a regular contract. He injured his knee in March of 2022 and missed the rest of that season. He then tore his ACL in December of 2023 and missed that season. He played in 36 games for the Spurs last season. The Celtics are thin in the frontcourt and so Bassey could have a chance to earn a contract with the team if the Celtics sign him before another team does.
The Lakers do not have any players on their team from the 2025 draft. Atlanta owned their first round pick and they had the 55th pick but traded it to the Bulls. They do have Dalton Knecht, who was the Lakers 17th pick in the 2024 draft. They also have Bronny James, who was their 55th pick in the 2024 draft. Also with the team are two 2-way players. Christian Koloko was the 33rd pick in the 2022 draft signed a 2-way contract with the Lakers on 9/16/24. Trey Jemison III went undrafted in 2023 and signed a 2-way contract with the Lakers on 1/15/25.
Matt Reynolds is the head coach for the Celtics Summer League team. Reynolds started as the Video Coordinator for the Celtics in 2015. He has been an assistant coach for the club since 2022. Beau Levesque is the head coach for the Lakers Summer League team. He began his coaching career in Brooklyn where he was the player development coach under Kenny Atkinson from 2018-2020. He was player development coach for the Clippers under Doc Rivers and Tyron Lue from 2020-2024. He has been an assistant coach for the Lakers under JJ Redick since 2024.
Boston Celtics Roster
Jordan Walsh (38th pick 2023)
Baylor Scheierman (30th pick 2024)
Hugo Gonzalez (28th pick 2025)
Max Shulga (57th pick 2025)
Amari Williams (46th pick 2025)
Aaron Scott (undrafted rookie)
Ben Gregg (undrafted rookie)
Zach Hicks (undrafted rookie)
Hayden Gray (undrafted rooie)
Miles Norris (undrafted 2023- 2 way player with Boston)
Kenneth Loftin, Jr (undrafted, 3rd year, MVP in China last season)
Jalen Bridges (2-way player with Phoenix, played 8 games with Suns)
Kendall Brown (48th pick in 2022)
Isaiah Wong (55th pick in 2023, played 20 games with Charlotte)
Charles Bassey (53rd pick in 2021, Played for Philadelphia and San Antonio)
Head Coach
Matt Reynolds
Los Angeles Lakers Roster
Dalton Knecht
Bronny James
Christian Koloko
RJ Davis
DJ Steward
Sam Mennenga
Augustus Marciulionis
Darius Bazley
Ty Johnson
Sir’Jabari Rice
Cole Swider
Eric Dixon
JaJaun Gordon
Julian Reese
Ethan Taylor
Trey Jemison III
Arthur Kaluma
Head Coach
Beau Levesque
Possible Starters
The Celtics started Max Shulga, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh and Amari Williams in Friday’s game against the Grizzlies. Against the Knicks on Sunday, they started Shulga, Walsh, Scheierman, Bridges and Williams. Against the Heat, the Celtics started Shulga, Scheierman, Gonzalez, Walsh and Bassey Of course, in Summer League, they may start any random 5 players and not necessarily start the same 5 or the best 5.
The Lakers started Steward, James, Knecht, Swider, and Bazley on Thursday. They started Steward, James, Swider, Bazley, and Koloko on Saturday. They started Steward, James, Knecht, Swider, and Koloko on Monday. As with every Summer League team, the Lakers may start one of these lineups in this game or they may start 5 players who haven’t played as yet.
Players to Watch
Boston Celtics
Jordan Walsh – Walsh played very well on Friday, finishing with a game high 17 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists while shooting 50% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. On Sunday, he seemed to be pushing too hard, and he struggled with his shot while committing 7 fouls. He started very strong on Monday with 13 points, 3 rebounds and 1 steal before being ejected with 2 technical fouls in 10 minutes of play.
Hugo Gonzalez – Gonzalez impressed in his debut on Friday, finishing with 12 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks. He played hard, especially on defense. He sat out on Sunday in the first of back to back games and finished Monday’s game with 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists but also had 6 turnovers.
Baylor Scheierman – Scheierman struggled offensively in his first outing on Friday, finishing with 8 points on 2-14 shooting from the field and 1-8 from beyond the arc. He did show some good things though with 5 rebounds and 4 assists. On Sunday, he started off strong and finished with 13 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals. Although he shot just 1-7 from beyond the arc, he showed that he has an all around game.
Charles Bassey – Bassey was a last minute addition to the Celtics Summer League team. He has played very well for the Celtics, especially on the defensive end. After coming off the bench the first two games, Bassey started Monday’s game and finished with 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block. The Celtics will definitely be watching Bassey closely as a player who could strengthen their weak front court this season.
Los Angeles Lakers
Bronny James – Since he declared for the draft, LeBron James, Jr has been under a microscope by fans and media alike. After spending much of his rookie season in the G League, he has started every game in Vegas for the Lakers. He has averaged 13 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.
Cole Swider – Swider has been the most impressive player for the Lakers so far. He went undrafted in 2022 and had played on two way contracts for the Lakers, Heat, Pistons and Raptors. He averaged 19.7 points. 8.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 steals in the first 3 games in Las Vegas so far for the Lakers.
Christian Koloko – Koloko was the 33rd pick in the 2022 draft. He signed a 2 way contract with the Lakers on 9/16/24. He has started 2 games at center for the Lakers in Las Vegas.
Keys to the Game
It’s Summer League – Both coaches are going to be looking at players to see if any of them play well enough to make the main roster. They are also looking at players for their G-League teams. Some players may get a lot of playing time and some will play very little. Players who started last game may sit this game or they may start again and the players who are showing the most promise should get more playing time. Often coaches have seen all they need to from some players and will sit them.
Defense and Rebounding – Whether it is Summer League, Preseason, Regular Season or Playoffs, defense and rebounding are always keys to getting a win. The team that plays harder on the defensive end and that crashes the boards for rebounds, will likely get the win. In the Lakers game against the Clippers, the final score was 67-58. That was either a defensive masterpiece or a very, very inept offensive game.
Beat LA – Whether it is Summer League, preseason, regular season or playoffs, these the Celtics always want to beat the Lakers. These teams are long time rivals and when a players signs to play for either team, they become aware of the storied history of these franchises and need to give their all to get a win. Go Celtics!! Beat LA!!!
Final Thoughts
The Celtics have had various players show promise and upside in their 3 games so far. Charles Bassey looks like a Summer League steal so far, The Celtics first round draft pick showed that he definitely can play in the NBA. Jordan Walsh and Baylor Scheierman both have struggled in some areas, but also they have played well at times. They have a chance to be rotation players this season. Williams and Shulga both showed some promise and should have a good season with the Maine Celtics.
