The Los Angeles Lakers sent Ryan Kelly and Tarik Black down to their D-League affiliate, the Los Angeles D-Fenders, for the D-League showcase in Santa Cruz, California this weekend. It was not enough, as the D-Fenders lost their first game of the event to the Canton Charge 118-113 despite another big scoring night from Kelly.
The D-Fenders jumped out to an early lead, holding a 34-25 advantage over Canton after high scoring first quarters from Kelly and former Lakers guard Vander Blue, who combined for 23 of the D-Fenders' points in the period.