Arthur Kaluma kept making the most of his Summer League opportunity on Friday night, scoring 18 points in 16 minutes off the bench as the Los Angeles Lakers opened their 2026 NBA Summer League campaign with a 96-84 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Kaluma was efficient throughout the game, going 5-of-5 from the field while adding four rebounds, including two offensive rebounds, and one assist. For a player who is being evaluated closely by the Lakers, that kind of production in limited minutes stands out.
Three-game Summer League run has been productive
This was Kaluma's third appearance during the California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League, and his numbers have been steady across the run. He has averaged 15.3 points in 20.6 minutes per game, while shooting 53.6% from the field and 83.3% from the line. He has also averaged 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 offensive rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 block and 1.3 turnovers per game.
That production fits the idea of Kaluma as a returning second-year forward who is still trying to carve out a longer-term role in the organization. During the 2025-26 campaign, he appeared in 40 G League games for the South Bay Lakers and averaged 13.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 37.6% shooting from three-point range.
What it means for Kaluma's status
The Lakers brought Kaluma back for another extended evaluation this summer, and his play suggests he is making a real case to stay in the mix. In March, he averaged 16.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists over 12 games, which helped show the same kind of scoring touch he has carried into Summer League.
If Kaluma does not earn an NBA opportunity, he is expected to join the newly relocated Coachella Valley Lakers. For now, though, his performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder adds another strong chapter to a summer that has made him harder to ignore.
