Cole Swider is turning heads and rewriting his NBA story one bucket at a time. The undrafted second-year forward exploded for 25 points, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a dominant 103-83 win over the Miami Heat at the California Classic Summer League on Sunday night in San Francisco.
Cole Swider making a strong statement in the NBA Summer League. His performance against Miami heat and Golden State Warriors has solidify himself as one of the league’s most reliable player.
Cole Swider Leads the Charge in NBA Summer League
Cole Swider is a 25-year-old forward, who has bounced between the G-League and NBA benches. His latest showing, punctuated by four three-pointers. This resulted in a smooth pick-and-pop game which quickly made him a name to watch in Las Vegas.
He scored 21 points on efficient shooting, displaying his extended range and mature decision-making in the Heat‘s third consecutive Summer League victory.
With smooth shooting and veteran composure, Cope Swider made it look easy. His sinking shots from outside the arc and dictating the tempo made Lakers win the game. It was his second consecutive 20+ point.
With his brilliant skills and great performance in these past two days, Cole has made Lakers think that he might be good fit for next NBA season.
Cole Swider came out scorching in the Lakers’ Summer League opener on Saturday. He scored 24 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including 6-of-8 from beyond the arc. Despite his efforts, the Lakers fell 89-84 to the Golden State Warriors.
On Sunday, Swider stayed hot. He dropped 20 points on another efficient 7-of-10 shooting night against the Miami Heat. This time, the Lakers capitalized, cruising to a 103-83 win.
While Swider found his rhythm, Dalton Knecht continued to struggle. He shot just 2-of-7 from the field for four points on Sunday. On Saturday, he went 3-of-13 and missed all six of his three-point attempts.
With back-to-back standout performances, Swider is emerging as a bright spot in the Lakers’ Summer League campaign. He’s providing a consistent offensive spark as the team evaluates its young talent.
What to Expect Next in the NBA Summer League 2025?
As the NBA Summer League enters its second week in Las Vegas, the spotlight shifts from individual breakout performances to deeper team evaluation and developmental benchmarks. This next phase is where coaches, scouts, and players truly begin to separate potential role‑players from future rotation pieces.
| Matchup | Date | Key Storyline |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs | July 8, 2025 – 7 p.m. PT | Cole Swider looks to keep his hot streak alive and earn a full-time spot. |
| Miami Heat vs. Golden State Warriors | July 8, 2025 – 4 p.m. PT | Notably not against the Knicks – this is the actual matchup. |
READ: NBA 2K Summer League 2025 tips off July 10 in Las Vegas with top rookies.
