If you were to ask a basketball fan right now about who Adou Thiero is right now, they would probably tell you he's the guy from the moment with the game ball that involved the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks. That is the claim to fame for the rookie.
For those who missed it, after a lengthy injury rehab delayed his arrival, Thiero played his first NBA game for Los Angeles on the road against Milwaukee during this past week. The Lakers rookie only registered just under five minutes, but there was a great transition dunk to remember the matchup.
ADOU THIERO INSANE DUNK FOR HIS FIRST NBA CAREER POINTS 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/ipWFwzgD2d
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) November 16, 2025
After the game was over, his teammates wanted to get the ball for their young hooper. The referee was denying the Lakers that opportunity before Giannis Antetokounmpo, who knows a thing or two about game balls, stepped in and secured the rock for the rook.
Giannis on stepping in to give the Lakers the game ball for the rookie Adou Thiero after his first career points which for some reason the ref wouldn’t allow him to have it. pic.twitter.com/lJWWpsQIwe
— VideoMixtape.com (@VideoMixtape_) November 16, 2025
Thiero being in the middle of that is what has defined the very early parts of his rookie season. Given the opportunity, the former Arkansas product will hopefully make some more memorable moments by year's end.
Lakers should give Adou Thiero every chance to flash two-way upside
At this point, the large majority of Thiero's NBA minutes have come in garbage time, playing clean-up duty for the 11-4 Lakers, when the matchup has been effectively over. That much is fair.
Thiero only just properly put himself fully back on the radar for JJ Redick and the coaching staff. As such, his impact has been limited to 3.0 points and 0.5 rebounds per game in the Lakers' past two contests.
This is actually as close to a clean bill of health as the Lakers have had all year. LeBron James is back. Gabe Vincent is back. Redick has his preferred nine-man rotation available. Los Angeles is so stocked that even someone like Jarred Vanderbilt could not find playing time in their last outing.
Expecting Thiero to break through in those circumstances is wishful thinking. The 21-year-old was demoted, alongside Bronny James, to the South Bay Lakers. That does not mean his spot in the NBA is gone altogether for this season. Things will not always be this perfect for the Lakers.
Injuries are an inevitable, and unfortunate, part of any sport. Resting players is also a regular occurrence in basketball. In those moments, Thiero should hopefully get his.
The Lakers traded up to get Thiero in the 2025 NBA Draft. Day 2 of the process started with them near the back of the second round and ended with Los Angeles all the way up at 36 to select their guy.
That alone gives everyone plenty of reason to believe the Lakers loved what they saw on the tape for Thiero. With him, that involves loads of potential to develop into a two-way weapon for Redick's team.
Getting those live reps can work towards speeding up the process. The more of them Thiero can get, the faster the Lakers rookie can become a regular fixture in the rotation for Los Angeles.