Things go from bad to worse for the Lakers in the Summer League as Darius Bazley, the young starlet from Massachusetts, collapsed during the game while driving down the lane and messing up a spin move for a layup. After losing the young star in the first half, the Lakers ended up losing this game 78-87 to the Celtics.
Bazley, who led the Lakers in scoring until this point in the game, went down screaming and writhing in pain during the second quarter. He seemed to have injured his right leg and was helped off the court in a wheelchair following this incident.
Hope Bazley's okay 🙏pic.twitter.com/XLZI6eyYUI
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) July 18, 2025
The Lakers were already struggling in the Summer League, having lost two of their three games before this. Now, losing one of their young prospects to injury could be detrimental to their options, heading into training camp after the Summer League.
Bazley had scored eight points in the game before this incident and made three of his four attempts in the first half (75%) and two free throws in as many attempts. It is unlikely that we will see Bazley in action during the second half of this game.
🙏 https://t.co/rnf6kbel4S pic.twitter.com/Crtg7GFtub
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) July 18, 2025
This could’ve been one of the big games for the young player as he faced the biggest team from his home state. Unfortunately, Bazley will not get a chance to finish the hot start he had in this game, like he would’ve wanted.
NBA fans, media members, and especially Lakers supporters, were worried about Bazley and took to social media to express their concerns about the young forward from Brockton, Massachusetts.
“DON’T TELL ME.. ANOTHER TORN ACHILLES????”
“Prayers to him, it’s such a shame with how he was playing this summer.”
“Brutal for the young forward, but hope he’s OK.”
“Hoping that’s not a serious injury for Darius Bazley, he was having an exceptional summer.”
“Nooooooo, OKC Thunder legend, get well soon.”
“Looks like an ACL injury. Take it from a guy who’s had two torn ACLs.”
“Bros career is over. Time for Trade school or something.”\
Bazley was drafted in the NBA in 2019 by the Utah Jazz and traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was eventually traded once again and has since been a part of three more teams (Suns, 76ers, and Jazz) before landing on the Lakers’ summer league roster.
In the seven games he has played in the summer so far, including the exhibition games before the Summer League officially began, he averaged 11.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.
He was on the path to potentially finding himself a spot on the Lakers’ main roster, as he only joined their Summer League roster for this season. This injury may have cost him a spot on the roster for the coming 2025-26 season. We hope he recovers soon and gets the contract he deserves.
