Hot Takes on Lakers' Bronny James, Dalton Knecht vs. Rockets' Reed Sheppard

The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Houston Rockets by the final score of 99-80 on Friday night to begin the Las Vegas Summer League for both teams.

The Lakers were led by their 2024 draft choices, Dalton Knecht and Bronny James. As for the Rockets, 2024 No. 3 overall pick Reed Sheppard officially made his debut.

James started off strong in the first half, scoring six points and grabbing four rebounds in 12 minutes on 40 percent shooting. Knecht found him in transition for a dunk during the first quarter.

The former USC guard wasn't as effective after halftime, scoring just two points in the second half while connecting on just one of his nine attempts from the field.

Meanwhile, Knecht wrapped up an impressive all-around performance on Friday. The former Tennessee standout finished the game with a team-high 25 points on 9-18 shooting. Knecht also added six rebounds, four assists, and a block.

As the Rockets pulled away in the second half, Sheppard showed why he was the No. 3 overall choice. His three-point marksmanship that he displayed during his college days at Kentucky already appears to be translating to the next level, as he recorded 23 points while shooting 4-6 from behind the arc.

Sheppard connected on 52.9 percent of his field goals and dished out five assists, showing off his handles against Knecht in the third quarter.

While James struggled with his long-range accuracy, fans were still optimistic about his long-term outlook and remained patient with the No. 55 overall pick.

Fans were also excited about Knecht's performance, praising his ability to score from all three levels and envisioning his fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Sheppard delivered several highlights and showcased his long-range accuracy, leaving fans amazed with his debut.

The Lakers will continue their Las Vegas Summer League action against the Boston Celtics on Monday, with tip-off at 7:30 p.m. ET.