Lakers rookie Adou Thiero
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Lakers rookie Adou Thiero during a game against the Sacramento Kings in March 2026
The Los Angeles Lakers are building momentum at a crucial stage of the season, riding a four-game winning streak and winning seven of their last eight contests.
With the Western Conference standings tightly packed, every result carries significant playoff implications. The Lakers currently sit fourth at 41-25.
Los Angeles is level with the Houston Rockets in third place, while the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves remain just half a game behind in fifth and sixth, respectively, adding further importance to Saturday’s matchup with Denver.
Elsewhere in the organization, the Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, has continued its own impressive run, powered by a number of the franchise’s young prospects and depth players.
Lakers Prospects Headline South Bay’s 11th Straight Win
On Friday night, South Bay extended its winning streak to 11 games with a commanding 125-106 victory over the Iowa Wolves.
It marked South Bay’s second win over Iowa in a three-day span in a game that featured several Lakers-connected players.
Two-way players Nick Smith Jr. and Chris Manon featured in the contest, along with NBA assignees Bronny James, Adou Thiero and Kobe Bufkin.
Smith led the team with 22 points in 25 minutes off the bench, shooting an efficient 8-of-14 from the field and 3-of-5 from three-point range.
The two-way guard also added four rebounds, three assists and one block, but it was Lakers rookie Thiero who once again drew significant attention.
The 21-year-old has been heavily involved with South Bay in recent weeks and delivered his second-highest scoring performance of the season.
Playing a season-high 30 minutes, Thiero finished with 20 points, five rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block in a well-rounded outing.
He continued his efficient scoring, shooting 7-of-12 from the field while also showcasing his range by knocking down two three-pointers and committing just one turnover.
Lakers assignee Bufkin added 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while James recorded 13 points, one rebound, two assists and two blocks in another efficient G League performance.
South Bay regular RJ Davis contributed 16 points, while recently acquired center Malik Williams posted a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Rookie Thiero Continuing to Show Two-Way Upside
Thiero entered the game coming off a six-point outing in South Bay’s previous matchup against Iowa, his lowest scoring performance in the G League this season.
However, just one game earlier, he erupted for a season-high 25 points in a win over the Santa Cruz Warriors, knocking down an eye-catching five three-pointers.
Since being selected in the second-round of the 2025 NBA Draft, injuries have slowed Thiero’s ability to build sustained momentum.
The Lakers have taken a cautious approach with the rookie following offseason knee surgery that sidelined him early in the campaign, as well as a more recent MCL sprain that kept him out throughout January.
Recently, though, Thiero has begun to display the athleticism, defensive versatility and developing offensive game that made him an intriguing draft selection for the Lakers.
Through eight games with South Bay this season, the 6-foot-7 forward is averaging 14.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals per contest.
He has also shot an efficient 63.2% from the field while converting seven of his 15 attempts from three-point range, good for 46.7% .
South Bay’s current surge has mirrored that development. The team has now won 11 straight games and continues to roll behind a talent-filled roster.
The Lakers’ affiliate sits second in the Western Conference with a 21-8 record and shares the conference’s best mark with the Mexico City Capitanes, who are currently riding a five-game winning streak of their own.