Dunleavy

In their first game of the 2003 Southern California Summer Pro League, the Golden State Warriors came up short in an entertaining contest against the Los Angeles Lakers, falling 102-104 at The Pyramid on the campus of Long Beach State University. After a Mike Dunleavy three-pointer gave the Warriors a 102-101 lead with less than 20 seconds remaining in the game, Lakers rookie Luke Walton was fouled as the final buzzer sounded and connected on three free throws for the final margin (the foul was a shooting foul and Walton was awarded an extra free throw because the foul was committed by a player who already had six personal fouls).

After leading for much of the game, Golden State found itself down 101-97 with 1:32 remaining in the game before fighting back to be in position to win. After regaining the lead, the Warriors forced the Lakers into a long jump shot that fell short and was rebounded by Walton just before the final horn.

Sterner

“For the first game of the summer league, it was a solid effort,” said summer league head coach Tom Sterner. “We executed a number of things that we wanted to get done, and we also found some things that we need to work on. We gave up a few too many offensive rebounds, and in the end, that is what did us in. Although we wish we had come out on top, we put ourselves in a pretty good position coming down to the final seconds, and that is important during the summer league.”

Dunleavy paced the Warriors with a solid all-around effort, registering 23 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Jiri Welsch added 21 points and six rebounds, while 6-11 forward/center Will McDonald pitched in 15 points and six rebounds in 23 minutes.

Pietrus

Mickael Pietrus, the Warriors first round draft pick in last month’s NBA Draft, finished with five points, four rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal. Pietrus went 2-of-6 from the field, including an electric baseline dunk from the left side that gave the Warriors a one-point lead late in the game and brought the Pyramid crowd to its feet. Pietrus also showed his defensive intensity, drawing a pair of charges and getting a hand on numerous passes.

Derrick Zimmerman, the Warriors second round draft pick in last month’s draft, started at point guard and finished with seven points, four rebounds and a team-high six assists in 34 minutes.

Golden State shot 47.2% for the contest, while holding the Lakers to a 38.8% mark. The Warriors were outrebounded 50-55, including 12-25 on the offensive glass.

Notes: Prior to Wednesday’s game, the Warriors added 2002 second round pick Steve Logan and 7-1 center Bruno Petersons to the roster, while releasing Marlon Parmer, Bootsy Thornton and Rock Lloyd.