Today has been intense for basketball aficionados. I started my day with a cup of coffee and ESPN on the screen, catching the early reports. The Las Vegas Summer League never disappoints, always packed with budding talent and the future stars of the NBA. The games kicked off at noon, and I was glued to my screen right from then. Of course, the NBA Summer League isn’t just about the stars; it’s about the underdogs making their mark too.
The first game featured the Detroit Pistons against the Houston Rockets. The Pistons, with their young core, put on quite a show. Cade Cunningham, their number one pick from last year, scored 23 points, dished out 7 assists, and grabbed 4 rebounds. I couldn’t help but notice the efficiency in his game. He played only 30 minutes but had a +15 efficiency rating. The Rockets, on the other hand, had Jalen Green leading the charge. Green showcased his athleticism and shooting prowess, ending the game with 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals. However, it wasn’t enough as the Pistons clinched the win with a final score of 101-97.
Next up was the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder. nba summer league scores today reported that the Warriors’ James Wiseman had a breakout performance. He scored 22 points while pulling down 10 rebounds. The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was brilliant too, contributing with 24 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds. Their battle was fierce, but I noticed the Warriors’ ball movement was impeccable with 28 assists as a team, leading them to a 110-103 victory.
In the afternoon, I watched the Boston Celtics take on the Memphis Grizzlies. The Celtics’ new signee, Sam Hauser, was a revelation. He scored 18 points, hitting 5 out of 7 three-pointers. His spacing and off-ball movement were exactly what the team needed. Ja Morant didn’t suit up for the Grizzlies, giving the younger talents more floor time. Xavier Tillman had a solid all-around game with 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks. As much as I wanted the underdogs to pull through, Boston’s defense was tough, and they secured a 95-92 win.
The evening games provided even more excitement. The matchup between the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers was a thrill to watch. Obi Toppin of the Knicks was a human highlight reel, dunking with authority and showing improved shooting. He finished with 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. The Lakers’ fans were treated to a spectacle by Austin Reaves, who put up 19 points and had 5 assists. However, the Knicks’ depth and bench strength, contributing 45 points, proved too much for the Lakers, as New York won 98-89.
I can’t forget to mention the standout game of the day. The Orlando Magic played against the Dallas Mavericks. Franz Wagner was exceptional for the Magic, scoring 26 points, shooting 60% from the field, and showcasing his defensive prowess with 3 steals and 2 blocks. Jalen Suggs was another standout, adding 17 points and 6 assists. Luka Doncic sat this one out, but Jalen Brunson stepped up for the Mavericks, scoring 24 points and dishing out 8 assists. Despite their best efforts, the Magic came out on top with a score of 104-99.
Another interesting game was between the Chicago Bulls and the Phoenix Suns. Patrick Williams led the charge for the Bulls, showcasing his two-way game with 20 points and 8 rebounds. He seemed unstoppable at times, driving to the basket with power and locking down opponents on the defensive end. The Suns, though missing their key players, gave it a good fight with Mikal Bridges scoring 18 points and recording 5 steals. It was an edge-of-the-seat thriller, but Chicago edged out a 100-97 victory.
As the night wore on, the Charlotte Hornets faced off against the Miami Heat. Myles Bridges for the Hornets was in top form, contributing 24 points and 9 rebounds. His three-point shooting was particularly impressive, hitting 4 out of 6 attempts. Tyler Herro for the Heat matched him point for point, scoring 25 points, along with 6 assists. It was a high-paced game with both teams shooting over 45% from the field. However, the Hornets pulled through with a 105-100 win. Man, what a game!