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Kaluma's 34-Point Night Highlights Contract Battle

7/12/2026

42 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Arthur Kaluma Scores

Arthur Kaluma scored 34 points in a 91-70 win over Dallas on July 12, 2026.
On July 11, 2026, he added 18 points on 5-of-5 shooting in a 96-84 win over Oklahoma City.
He averaged 20.0 points in 23.0 minutes, shooting 59.1% and 86.7% free throws, and must earn a contract or be sent to the Coachella Valley Lakers because Chris Mañon, AK Okereke and Peter Suder hold the spots.

Summary

Lakers Crush Mavericks

The Lakers limited Dallas to 13 points in the third and fourth quarters, securing a 91-70 win.
An 18-0 run in the fourth quarter turned a 67-59 lead into an 85-59 advantage.
Lakers outscored the Mavericks 42-24 in the paint, showing interior dominance.
Cameron Carr missed the game with a right thumb contusion.
The Lakers will play Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, July 14, at 7:00 PM PT on Amazon Prime.

History

Historical Context

When the Charlotte Hornets selected Kobe Bryant 13th overall in the 1996 draft and traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers for Vlade Divac, the move sparked an era that produced three straight titles (2000-02) and an 81-point game in 2006. Bryant’s high-school-to-NBA path opened the door for later prospects like rookie Arthur Kaluma, whose 34-point debut on July 12, 2026 echoes that legacy.

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Arthur Kaluma Scores

Arthur Kaluma scored 34 points in a 91-70 win over Dallas on July 12, 2026.
On July 11, 2026, he added 18 points on 5-of-5 shooting in a 96-84 win over Oklahoma City.
He averaged 20.0 points in 23.0 minutes, shooting 59.1% and 86.7% free throws, and must earn a contract or be sent to the Coachella Valley Lakers because Chris Mañon, AK Okereke and Peter Suder hold the spots.

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