![\"Lakers](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2253973709-e1767261629726.jpg\")
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Lakers rookie Adou Thiero in a game against the Sacramento Kings<\/p>\n
It was a successful Sunday for the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> at multiple levels of the organization.<\/p>\n At the NBA<\/a> level, Luka Doncic<\/a> led the Lakers to a 110-97 victory<\/a> over the New York Knicks<\/a>, finishing with 35 points and eight rebounds.<\/p>\n With LeBron James<\/a> sidelined, Austin Reaves<\/a> added 25 points as Los Angeles secured its second straight win and fifth in the last six games.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, the Lakers\u2019 G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, continued their own impressive run<\/a> behind several of the organization\u2019s young prospects and fringe contributors.<\/p>\n Lakers Prospects Power South Bay Victory Over Santa Cruz<\/p>\n South Bay faced the Santa Cruz Warriors<\/a> for the second time in three days on Sunday.<\/p>\n Two-way players Nick Smith<\/a> Jr. and Chris Manon<\/a> featured in the contest, along with NBA assignees Bronny James<\/a> and Adou Thiero<\/a>.<\/p>\n Thiero, in particular, delivered his most impressive performance of the season, flashing the two-way upside that led to the Lakers selecting him in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n Across 28 minutes, the rookie erupted<\/a> for a career-high 25 points, shooting an efficient 10-of-12 from the field and a perfect 5-of-5 from three-point range.<\/p>\n He also added<\/a> six rebounds, two assists and one steal, while throwing down four thunderous, highlight-worthy dunks in an all-around performance.<\/p>\n Smith, Manon and James each contributed 15 points as the Lakers secured a 113-104 victory, but it was Thiero who stole the headlines.<\/p>\n Through seven G League games this season, the 21-year-old is averaging<\/a> 15.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 steals and just under a block per game.<\/p>\n He has been highly efficient across those contests, shooting 66.1% from the field and 7-of-12 from beyond the arc.<\/p>\n That outside shooting touch adds another layer to his game and could boost his chances of earning NBA minutes in the future.<\/p>\n Thiero Showing Promise After Injury Setbacks<\/p>\n Since being selected in the draft, injuries have slowed Thiero\u2019s ability to build consistent momentum.<\/p>\n The Lakers have taken a cautious approach with the rookie following offseason knee surgery that sidelined him early in the campaign, as well as a more recent MCL sprain<\/a> that kept him out throughout January.<\/p>\n Sunday\u2019s game represented Thiero\u2019s most productive outing in the G League this season, showcasing the athleticism, defensive versatility and emerging offensive upside that made him an intriguing draft selection.<\/p>\n The 6-foot-7 forward is coming off an eight-point outing at the end of February in his last game for South Bay, which marked his least productive performance at the level this season.<\/p>\n However, against the Texas Legends on February 20, Thiero poured in a then season-high-tying 19 points in just 20 minutes while adding seven rebounds and shooting a near perfect 7-of-8 from the field.<\/p>\n South Bay is currently riding a remarkable nine-game winning streak and sits second<\/a> in the Western Conference with a 19-8 record. The team is just 0.5 games behind the Mexico City Capitanes.<\/p>\n Notably, South Bay has won all seven games that Thiero has appeared in, highlighting the rookie\u2019s growing impact on winning basketball.<\/p>\n It could be a sign that his development could eventually translate to a role with the Lakers at the NBA level.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMatt Evans<\/a> is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, based in Paris, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA and wider global sport. More about Matt Evans<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Lakers\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t