Summer League action is moving to balmy Las Vegas this Friday. The Utah Summer League already wrapped up with the Jazz winning their three games. In Orlando, the Magic White team, comprised mostly of players who will struggle to get a rotation spot in the NBA, will play in the championship game against the Grizzlies.
NBA Summer League schedule and results 2015: Orlando wraps up and Las Vegas begins
As the Orlando Summer League ends, the Las Vegas edition tips off with six games featuring the top picks of the 2015 draft.
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The first day of action in Las Vegas will feature six games, and give us a first look at rookies such as Kristaps Porzingis, Emmanuel Mudiay and Willie Cauley-Stein, as well as what could be an epic showdown between first overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns and second overall pick D'Angelo Russell. Oh yeah, and how about a late-night (sorta) rematch of the NBA Finals between the Cavaliers and the Warriors?
To tune in to every game, fans will need to purchase NBA Summer League Live. Some games may be shown on NBA TV. There are 11 total games on Friday, so let’s get to the schedule and results.
Orlando Summer League
The Thunder escaped with the win in a double overtime thriller. Quinn Cook went off for 22 points and nine assists off the bench for the Thunder, while Jordan Hamilton poured in 29 points and pulled down nine rebounds for the Clippers.
Zoran Dragic, brother of Goran, led the Heat to a lopsided win over Stanley Johnson and the Pistons with 16 points and six rebounds. Johnson, who has turned a few heads in summer league, struggled with just 10 points on 3-of-10 shooting. Justise Winslow didn't play for the Heat.
Grizzlies 75, Magic White 73 (OT)
The Grizzlies won the Orlando Summer League thanks to a sudden death floater by Russ Smith. The game was tied at 73 at the end of regulation and neither team scored in a 2:00 overtime, so Smith's runner was the game winner. He had 15 points and nine assists to lead the Grizzlies.
Keith Benson led the Magic white squad with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Magic Blue 98, Pacers 74
The Magic's Summer League big three of Elfrid Payton, Mario Hezonja and Aaron Gordon didn't play, but the Magic Blue team still dominated the Pacers. Jabril Trawick led the way with 16 points, four rebounds and four assists for the Magic, who were able to hold the Pacers at bay -- except for Joseph Young, who had 28 points in the loss.
Frank Kaminsky had a great showing with 19 points and six rebounds as the Hornets held off a Nets team that sent only six players out onto the court. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was superb for the Nets with 22 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, but it wasn't enough to pick up a win.
Las Vegas Summer League
The Pelicans opened up the Vegas Summer League with a commanding win over the Bucks. The Pelicans' Seth Curry netted 30 points to lead all scorers while Bucks' first round pick Rashad Vaughn struggled shooting, hitting just 5-of-14 from the field as he ended the night with 14 points.
Raptors 90, Kings 68 6:30 p.m. ET
The Raptors started off their summer season with an easy win over the Kings. They were led by 20 points from Norman Powell as first-rounders Bruno Caboclo and debut Delon Wright had solid nights with 15 and nine points, respectively. Kings' rookie Willie Cauley-Stein had 15 points and five boards in his first summer league game.
Nuggets 86, Hawks 71
Emmanuel Mudiay had a solid NBA debut with 11 points, five rebounds and four assists as his Nuggets beat the Hawks in their summer league opener. Rookie teammate Nikola Jokic had nine points and six rebounds. Hawks' rookie Mike Muscala had eight points and six rebounds in a losing effort.
Timberwolves 81, Lakers 68
Top picks Karl-Anthony Towns of the Timberwolves and D'Angelo Russell of the Lakers had their moments, but Zach LaVine and Jordan Clarkson led the way in the marquee matchup of the day -- which had a large crowd for a summer league game. LaVine had 24 points and six rebounds to lead the Timberwolves to a win. Clarkson had 23 points for the Lakers.
The rookies showed signs of what’s to come this season. Towns played well down low with 12 points, four assists and three rebounds and dished out some nice passes to cutting teammates. Plus, he displayed a beautiful hook shot.
Russell, for his part, ended the night with eight points and six assists and showed off his range.
D-League Select vs. Rockets, 10 p.m. ET
Clint Capela, Sam Dekker and Montrezl Harrell give the Rockets an imposing frontcourt, but the D-League Select has wily veterans, including former No. 2 overall pick Hasheem Thabeet.
No LeBron James or Stephen Curry but this (sort of) finals rematch features first round pick Kevon Looney and James Michael McAdoo against NBA sophomore Joe Harris and veteran D.J. White. Not bad for a Summer League game.
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