South Bay Lakers Defeat Grand Rapids Gold for Second Straight Win

G League team bounces back after ending 12-game winning streak

Mar. 22, 2026 at 6:20am

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The Los Angeles Lakers' G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, defeated the Grand Rapids Gold 119-111 on Saturday, just one day after beating the same opponent 111-98. The win comes after the South Bay Lakers' 12-game winning streak was snapped on Tuesday.

Why it matters

The South Bay Lakers' success is important for the development of the Los Angeles Lakers' young talent. The G League provides an opportunity for players to get valuable playing time and experience, which can translate to the NBA level.

The details

In Saturday's game, the South Bay Lakers overcame an early 28-19 deficit in the first quarter by outscoring the Gold 40-32 in the second quarter to take a 63-60 lead at halftime. They were able to pull away in the final period and hold on for the 119-111 victory. The team's strong defense, holding the Gold to 42.1% shooting from the field and 28.2% from 3-point range, led to a 22-9 edge in fast-break points.

  • The South Bay Lakers lost their first game in over a month on Tuesday, March 19, 2026.
  • The South Bay Lakers defeated the Grand Rapids Gold 111-98 on Friday, March 21, 2026.
  • The South Bay Lakers defeated the Grand Rapids Gold 119-111 on Saturday, March 22, 2026.

The players

R.J. Davis

Led the South Bay Lakers in scoring with 22 points on 8-of-10 shooting.

Malik Williams

Recorded a double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds for the South Bay Lakers.

Arthur Kaluma

Came off the bench to score 18 points for the South Bay Lakers.

Adou Thiero

Rookie forward for the South Bay Lakers, scored 16 points and had 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks.

Kobe Bufkin

Scored 12 points for the South Bay Lakers, going 3-of-11 from the field.

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What they’re saying

“The G League provides an important opportunity for our young players to get valuable playing time and experience, which can translate to the NBA level.”

— Rob Pelinka, General Manager, Los Angeles Lakers

What’s next

The South Bay Lakers will look to build on their recent success as they continue their G League season, with the goal of developing talent that can contribute to the main Los Angeles Lakers roster.

The takeaway

The South Bay Lakers' back-to-back wins over the Grand Rapids Gold demonstrate the team's resilience and ability to bounce back after their 12-game winning streak was snapped. This is a positive sign for the development of the Los Angeles Lakers' young talent in the G League.