Jalen Hood-Schifino Goes for 15 Again, But Lakers Lose for First Time in Las Vegas

Former Indiana standout Jalen Hood-Schifino scored 15 points on Wednesday, but the Los Angeles Lakers lost their first game in three tries in Las Vegas, falling to the Boston Celtics 95-90. He is averaging 14.8 points per game, with 4.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Jalen Hood-Schifino scored 15 points on Wednesday night in the Los Angeles Lakers' 95-90 Las Vegas Summer League loss to the Boston Celtics, and it was another night where Lakers coached saw a lot to like from the former Indiana standout.

He also had four rebounds, three assists and just two turnovers in 29 minutes of action. It was the Lakers' first loss in three games in Las Vegas.

''I love his moxie, and just his pace,'' Lakers coach Darvin Ham said during the NBATV broadcast of the game. You can't speed him up and you can't slow him down. His size at that position, and he's just so young. I can't wait for our coaches to really get him the rest of the summer going into open gym and training camp. 

"He's a kid that has the potential to really help us, and help us immediately.''

Lakers first round pick, Jalen Hood-Schifino bangs in the step-back 3 💦

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Hood-Schifino was the No. 17 overall pick of the Lakers in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft. He's 6-foot-6 with good point guard skills. Lakers coaches wanted him to be a leader this summer, and he's done just that. He's also getting coached up defensively, and they've liked what they've seen there, too.

The Lakers have been fun to watch during this Las Vegas run, with all 30 teams here for 10 days. Hood-Schifino and former Michigan State standout Max Christie have played well together, and are developing a quick bond, on and off the court. Other young players have stood out too, which makes the Lakers brass happy considering they have one of the oldest rosters in the league and will inevitably need help from all this young talent at some point.

This summer session has been good for everyone. 

“It’s been beautiful to watch,'' Ham said. "And one of our young kids, we’re really, really excited about, Max Christie going into his second year in the league. I told him he needs to step up and show his leadership abilities, and he’s done that along with Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis, Colin Castleton, D’Moi Hodge—we got Cole Swider,” Ham said. 

“We have some really good players under our umbrella that people are getting a chance to see, and they’re playing the right way.”

Hood-Schifino has played five total games this summer for the Lakers, three here and the first two in Sacramento. He is averaging 14.8 points per game, with 4.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. During his one season at Indiana, he averaged 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists.