One night you're hitting a buzzer-beater, the next you're going 5-of-21 from the floor with four turnovers. Welcome to the NBA, Tyler Ulis.
NBA Summer League 2016 scores: Tyus Jones welcomed Tyler Ulis to the league
The Timberwolves overpowered the Suns to advance to the Las Vegas Summer League finale, where they’ll face the Bulls on Monday.
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Tyus Jones knows all about it, even if he is still a youngster. The soon-to-be NBA sophomore lit up Ulis and the Phoenix Suns for 29 points and six assists as the Minnesota Timberwolves overpowered the Suns in the fourth quarter to win 93-83 and advance to the Summer League finale on Monday night against the Chicago Bulls.
It was business as usual for Jones, who has been outstanding throughout the Las Vegas Summer League. In the first six games, he averaged 17.8 points and 6.2 assists per game while shooting 44 percent from the field and 48 percent from deep. He was great on Sunday, too, with only two turnovers in 36 minutes while shooting 9-of-17 from the floor while his rookie counterpart struggled. He was named MVP of the Summer League on Sunday night.
After a slow start to his NBA career -- Jones played only 10 of the Timberwolves' first 54 games and averaged only 11 minutes per game -- he picked up steam as the season went on. After the All-Star break, Jones played 17 minutes per game. He averaged 4.7 points and 3.3 assists per game in those appearances, and he did so with some paltry Timberwolves lineups as a backup for Zach LaVine and Ricky Rubio.
Listed at 6’2 and 195 pounds, Jones isn’t the fastest or the strongest player on the court, but he has great court vision and knows the game well. He’s almost always making the right play -- as shown by Saturday night’s drawn foul to send the Timberwolves to overtime against the Raptors. He’s been slinging in Summer League, showing he appears ready to take on some valuable minutes in the regular season.
Ulis, meanwhile, struggled for the first time in a Suns jersey. He was averaging 15.2 points and 6.2 assists per game on 46.9 percent shooting from the floor through five Summer League games, but had 11 points and five fouls in 35 minutes of play.
Jones had help. Adreian Payne overpowered the Suns' frontcourt, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 boards. He outmuscled the Suns down low, especially on the offensive end with four boards on the offensive glass. Payne has struggled in the league, but is looking powerful this summer.
Jones and Payne will have one more shot to showcase their skills in the Summer League championship on Monday night in Las Vegas. They’ll tip off against the Bulls at 9 p.m. ET.
2 other things
A balanced attack keeps the Bulls kicking
The Bulls are still undefeated thanks to a slew of youngsters who will not go down easily. Six Bulls scored in double figures as they fought back from down 10 at the half to roll past the Cleveland Cavaliers in the fourth quarter en route to a 85-79 win to advance to Monday night's title game. The young trio of Bobby Portis, Jerian Grant and rookie Denzel Valentine led the way once again even though none of them shot that well from the floor -- they were a combined 13-of-41. Along with fellow big man Cristiano Felicio, the Bulls are strong down low, which should provide a tougher outing for Payne and the Timberwolves in the championship on Monday.
With Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade joining Jimmy Butler, the Bulls should challenge for a top seed in the East, but they also have some youngsters who bode well for the future.
Jones leads the All-NBA Summer League teams
The Summer League announces their awards before the championship game, and two All-NBA’ers will face off in the finale:
NBA Summer League 1st & second team announced (no Lakers). (McRae scorched LA in Game 4) pic.twitter.com/yxrbpA2YF4
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) July 18, 2016
Play of the night
Valentine was 3-of-8 from deep, including this shot that gave the Bulls a lead they would never give up. The bank is open on Sundays.
Scores
Timberwolves 93, Suns 83
Bulls 85, Cavaliers 79
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