In early July, right before heading to Las Vegas for the NBA’s signature Summer League, the Warriors will host the sixth annual California Classic.
Golden State is scheduled for three exhibition games at home in the Chase Center, from July 6 to July 10. Vegas Summer League — the offseason event that convenes league powerbrokers together — tips off two days later.
It will be the second time the Warriors have hosted the California Classic. Like the traditional Summer League, teams will include players from the 2024 NBA Draft as well as players competing for NBA or G League roster spots.
The Warriors expect both Brandin Podziemski — a First-Team All-Rookie selection — and standout center Trayce Jackson-Davis to play. Generally, teams play second-year players sparingly in the Summer League, so their playing time may wane.
Still, Podziemski and Jackson-Davis will get the chance to showcase what they’ve been working on this summer. It’ll be important for Podziemski to flex his on-ball creation skills and for Jackson-Davis to improve his jump shot.
“I’ll definitely be playing,” Podziemski said in April. “Me and Trayce will. It’ll be an opportunity for me and him to lead a team and to be the best players out there. To lead other guys who are new coming in or played on our G League squad with us, and win. I think it’s super critical for Mike (Dunleavy Jr.) to see the leadership me and Trayce can provide.”
Here is the California Classic at Chase Center schedule:
July 6: Kings vs. Lakers (1:30 p.m.)
Warriors vs. Heat (3:30 p.m.)
July 7: Kings vs. Heat (1:30 p.m.)
Warriors vs. Lakers (3:30 p.m.)
July 10: Warriors vs. Kings (7:00 p.m.)
The Kings are also hosting California Classic games at the Golden 1 Center in addition to meeting the Warriors in San Francisco for the “Battle of NorCal.” Sacramento is hosting the Spurs, Hornets and the Chinese National Team.
