Darius Bazley was putting together a strong case at the NBA 2K26 Summer League to make the Los Angeles Lakers roster for opening night. An injury in the second quarter against the Boston Celtics in Thursday's matchup has quickly halted that momentum.
Bazley was making a move towards the basket before his right leg appeared to give out on him. At this time, there is no update on the specifics of the injury. One can only hope the Lakers big man is getting the treatment that is needed right now.
Bazley could not leave the court on his own after going down. The Lakers summer league standout stayed on the floor until being helped to a wheelchair and escorted to the back. It was a gutting moment to watch unfold.
Bazley's excellence should not have gone unnoticed for Lakers
There will always be a conversation to not overvalue what has been on display at a stage like summer league, or the G League similarly, but Bazley was having a strong showcase of his skills. The athletic big man started to look like a real option for small-ball lineups.
Jovan Buha highlighted his contributions on a recent episode of his podcast. The Lakers reported discussed the topic with his guest Raj Chipalu.
"Darius Bazley, to me, has been the standout performer overall in summer league," Buha said. "He's the guy who just pops on the screen with his athleticism, his speed, the length. ... He's gone through this metamorphosis where he started off as almost a tweener, ... now he's playing center functionally."
The Lakers reporter praised Bazley's defensive abilities when switched onto Cooper Flagg in the Lakers' matchup against the Dallas Mavericks earlier in the summer. Buha described the 'chaotic energy' on display as a fun watch.
Unfortunately, that all led to the disappointing result that was seen on Thursday. A potential hidden gem for the Lakers, at a position of need, has been taken off the board for the near future.
While Bazley works towards making what is, hopefully, a successful recovery, the Lakers should remain diligent. Just because the two-way big man may not be able to impact the 2025-26 season does not mean a roster spot cannot be earned again in the future.
Bazley was off to a strong start against the Celtics in what could have been another performance that testified to his ability. The Lakers center had eight points, four rebounds, and two blocks in his first eight minutes of the game, registering a +5 during his time on the court.
When Bazley is hopefully back on his feet, the Lakers should remember what was on display in Vegas. The standout performer deserves another crack at proving himself once more.
