Tag: NBA

LAS VEGAS — Of the few thousand who squeezed into the smaller of the two gyms used for NBA Summer League, one person of interest stood out. That’s not because he wore dark sunglasses indoors, had a prime courtside seat and caused a basketball earthquake when he was traded just days ago.

With the shock of leaving the Boston Celtics still fresh, Jaylen Brown escaped the noise, if for only a day, and scouted a new teammate. Not Joel Embiid or Tyrese Maxey or VJ Edgecomb — those are established bedrocks for the Philadelphia 76ers. Like most in the arena, Brown came to catch Labaron Philon Jr., the Sixers’ first-round pick who proved well worth the trip.

Through two games in Vegas, Philon is separating himself from the collection of players, as is the goal for first-rounders in these contests. He had solid stretches Saturday against the Indiana Pacers when he was the best player on the floor. And in his Summer League debut, against the Pistons on Thursday, he was just as good. In both games, he dropped game-deciding baskets down the stretch and is averaging 21 points and 6.5 assists per game.

Just a few feet away, watching Philon look comfortable and deliver constantly against the Pacers, Brown nodded in approval. “Nice,” he said.

Philon is also standing out in another way in Vegas — he’s among a handful of first-rounders who are set to join teams either ready to win and contend next season. It presents a hoops conundrum for him and those players:

On the one hand, they’ll avoid the rebuilding process and the frustrations that come with it. Most lottery picks, especially, will probably lose more games in their rookie season than in their entire basketball careers to this point.

On the flip side, playing time will be challenging for rookies fortunate enough to be on established winning teams. They’ll probably sit more than ever in their basketball lives, which will be strange for them, and may not generate the same production as other rookies who will start and get 30 minutes a night.

Just look at the situation facing Philon: As a 6-foot-4 guard from Alabama and the No. 22 overall pick, Philon is joining a swollen Sixers backcourt with Maxey, who was All-NBA Third Team and Edgecombe, who was All-Rookie First Team and free agent Anfernee Simons, a proven shooter who just a few years ago was a 20-point scorer. Which means Philon is coming off the bench.

Furthermore, there’s a sense of urgency in Philadelphia next season. The addition of Brown just raised the temperature, along with the expectations bar. Usually for teams in these situations, developing rookies isn’t the highest priority.

Philon isn’t alone in that sense in this Draft class. There’s also Kingston Flemings, the No. 8 pick of the Atlanta Hawks, a playoff team last season. And Aday Mara, the Michigan center who now must find time on the loaded Oklahoma City Thunder, same for another rookie center, Tarris Reed Jr. (No. 26) in San Antonio. As for Brown’s former team, the Celtics added Chris Cenac Jr. at 27 and hope to stay among the top shelf in the East regardless next season.

The good news for the Sixers, if this summer sneak peek is real: Philon will force his way into the rotation anyway.

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Philon adapting to NBA pace

TJ DiLeo, who’s coaching the Summer League for the Sixers, says simply: “He’s a gamer.”

Philon had 22 points against the Pacers and dropped the biggest overtime basket. He also had only two turnovers, and his dribble game was tight enough. This ball security was important to the Sixers and Philon, who said he didn’t want to necessarily be classified as a point guard or off-the-ball guard, but “a smart guard.”

He shows good pace, a smooth understanding of the game and adapted quickly to the flow. He looks like he belongs.

Also, and perhaps more impressively, he has gravitated to the demands of the moment in Summer League. In both games, he had the ball and the decision-making responsibilities in those tight finishes. And each time he responded. The night before the OT win against the Pacers, he was cool in the clutch against the Pistons, hitting the eventual game-winner to cap an 18-point, seven-assist performance.

This meet-the-moment mentality is heightened on a contending team, which the Sixers will be next season. Because: If Philon is on the floor in moments of truth, he needs the confidence of coach Nick Nurse to stay on the floor. That’s what Edgecombe did last season as a rookie.

“I want to show that I can compete, having that same dawg mentality I had at Alabama,” Philon said.

Nurse had a history of rationing minutes to rookies, although that reputation took a hit last season when Edgecombe, deservedly, started every game and averaged 35 minutes, second-highest on the team. Also, after watching Philon’s first Summer League game, Nurse said he sees Philon as a rotational piece in 2026-27.

Here’s another reason the Sixers have big plans for Philon: He can reverse a situation that backfired last season.

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Opportunity awaits in Philadelphia

The Sixers obtained the pick used on Philon from Oklahoma City in the midseason Jared McCain trade. When McCain made an immediate impact for OKC, the Sixers caught the wrath of their fans. How far would the Sixers have gone in this year’s playoffs with McCain, a much-needed shooter?

The trade no doubt cost Daryl Morey standing toward the end of his run atop basketball operations in Philadelphia. And now, a silver lining: Mike Gansey, the new lead executive, found a potential McCain replacement at No. 22 in the draft.

While Philon is going to a team that’s rich in backcourt help, he also becomes necessary for a team with a second unit that ranked 27th in scoring. Plus, the Sixers could use a player with point guard instincts, since Maxey is more of a shooting guard. That’s where Philon can earn his minutes by creating for others in addition to himself.

“I think he can come in and play,” said Gansey. “He’s on the slighter side, he’s got to get stronger … we had him high on our board and he just happened to be a point guard. We really felt excited about him.”

If Philon is indeed a top rookie next season, it will continue an impressive draft trend for the franchise. Give Morey credit for much of that. The Sixers in this decade drafted Maxey, Edgecombe, McCain, Paul Reed, Isaiah Joe, Adem Bona and Johni Broome. That’s quite a run. Maxey is a star, Edgecombe might be one in the future, McCain is among the league’s best long-range shooters and the others have found roles in the league.

So maybe this is destined to happen for Philon. Maybe he’s about to fall in line. In a 2026 NBA Draft rich with guards — six were taken in the top 10 — the Sixers hope to emerge with one of the better ones, with a pick that fell in the late first round, a pick obtained in a very controversial trade at the time.

If there’s a rush to patent Philon-delphia as a slogan next season, then the hints were first dropped in Las Vegas.

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A Peterson poster and a Dybantsa dime to start your week.

The 2026 NBA Summer League is in full swing, and the top of this year’s Draft class is putting on a show.

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5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀

Sunday’s Best: AJ Dybantsa and Wizards stay hot, Keaton Wagler erupts against Darryn Peterson & Jazz

More Rooks Cook: Okorie sparks Detroit, Mitchell lifts Boston, Spurs overcome Burries

Roundup: Lendeborg helps lead Dubs, Magic win in OT, young Pels soar

Monday Matchups: Red-hot Caleb Wilson leads Bulls against Peterson’s Jazz and more

Weekend Rewind: Catch up on some of the standout performances from Vegas so far

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BUT FIRST … ⏰

Eight more games tip off today in Las Vegas, including a potential showdown of top-four picks as Darryn Peterson (No. 2) leads the Jazz against Caleb Wilson (No. 4) and the Bulls (9 ET, ESPN).

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1. SUNDAY’S BEST: DYBANTSA DAZZLES, WAGLER & PETERSON DUEL

On Thursday, AJ Dybantsa tied Blake Griffin’s 2009 record for the most points in a Summer League debut by a No. 1 pick (27).

On Sunday, he picked up right where he left off – while another Wizard caught fire.

Wizards 104, Kings 85: Dybantsa’s all-around game was on full display (23 pts, 7 reb, 3 stl, 2 blk), as he combined for 55 points with sophomore Will Riley (32 pts, 6 reb, 6 3s), powering Washington past Sacramento to improve to 2-0 in Vegas. | Recap

• Layered Buckets: Dybantsa wasted no time heating up, opening the Wizards’ scoring with a pull-up 3 and a smooth midrange
• By halftime, he had 17 points, capped by a tough hesi, drive and finish to put the Wizards up 15
• Contagious: Washington never looked back, as Riley exploded for 25 in the 2nd half while Dybantsa kept creating, stamping the win with a behind-the-back dime and a late dagger turnaround

New Foundation: Through two Summer League games, Dybantsa is averaging 25 points, 7 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks, helping Washington join six teams at 2-0 in Vegas.

Also in the desert? Trae Young and several active Wizards, who have been courtside for both games to support Dybantsa and the team’s young core.

• “It just shows that the culture is shifting in D.C.,” Dybantsa said postgame. “We have a new team, new vets that want to show love … we’re gonna be great this year.”
• Kings Shine: Maxime Raynaud led Sacramento with 20 points and 12 boards, while this year’s No. 7 pick, Darius Acuff Jr. (12 pts, 4 ast), flashed with a few highlight buckets

Speaking of highlight buckets, Darryn Peterson and Keaton Wagler delivered plenty in a duel of top-five picks.

Clippers 104, Jazz 82: Peterson (23 pts, 5 ast, 2 stl, 2 blk) opened the game with a monster poster, but Wagler (23 pts, 4 ast, 4 3s) took over with an 18-point 3rd quarter eruption, where the Clips outscored the Jazz 42-18 to pull away. | Recap

• Wagler Water: Wagler – who went 1-of-7 in his debut on Thursday – went 5-of-7 in the 3rd last night, capped by a tough stepback 3 as LA stretched a 2-point halftime lead to 26 entering the 4th
• “My teammates trusted me to have the ball in my hands, and I just showed them what I can do,” said Wagler postgame. “Second game, all the nerves are out the way … and the shots were falling.”
• DP Doin’ Work: Despite the loss, Peterson’s shot-making was on full display again, netting a string of ridiculous buckets, including this scoop-and-score through contact

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2. MORE ROOKS COOK: OKORIE & MITCHELL BALL, BURRIES SHINES IN LOSS

Pistons 103, Cavaliers 94: Detroit’s Chaz Lanier (25 pts, 7-12 3pm) and Brice Williams (21 pts, 6-9 3pm) couldn’t miss, combining for 13 treys, while this year’s No. 17 overall pick, Ebuka Okorie, did it all (14 pts, 6 ast, 7 stl). | Recap

• Complementary Ball: Okorie’s 6 dimes and 7 steals were both team-highs, while Lanier and Williams combined to outscore Cleveland from beyond the arc by themselves (39-27)
• Young Cav Cooking: After dropping 20 in his Summer League debut, No. 34 overall pick Meleek Thomas turned up for a game-high 30 points and 7 dimes for Cleveland

Celtics 87, Hornets 75: Boston’s 2nd-round pick, Dillon Mitchell, was a force on both ends. He posted 24 points, 8 boards, 6 steals and 2 blocks as the C’s outpaced Liam McNeeley (20 pts, 8 reb) and the Hornets to move to 2-0. | Recap

Spurs 90, Bucks 80: In his second Summer League game, Milwaukee’s Brayden Burries showed why he was the No. 10 overall pick, scoring inside and out for a game-high 26 points.

But San Antonio came away with the win, with former UNC star RJ Davis (20 pts) leading five double-digit scorers. | Recap

• All Angles: Burries – a 6-foot-4 guard who led Arizona in scoring as a freshman last season – shot 4-of-6 from downtown while adding 10 points in the paint

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3. ROUNDUP: LENDEBORG HELPS LIFT DUBS, MAGIC & PELS WIN

Warriors 104, Thunder 79: Golden State’s Yaxel Lendeborg continued his strong summer with 14 points, 4 dimes and 4 treys, getting the best of his former college teammate and fellow Lottery pick, Aday Mara (10 pts, 9 reb, 4 ast), as the Dubs outpaced the Thunder. | Recap

• Maize & Buckets: Lendeborg and Mara – who won a national title together at Michigan – exchanged some friendly jawing after Lendeborg buried a 3, before Mara crashed his postgame interview

Magic 112, Blazers 105 (OT): Lester Quiñones (8 reb, 4 3s) went off for 30 points, and Colin Castleton (21 pts, 7 reb) backed him up as the Magic shot 48% from 3 to erase a 15-point hole and force OT, where they sprinted away from Jayson Kent (20 pts, 8 reb) and the Blazers, 11-4. | Recap

Pelicans 81, Suns 75: Undrafted rookie Malik Dia scored a game-high 18 points, while NOLA’s No. 58 overall pick, Jaron Pierre Jr., added 16 – including a big-time jam – to power the Pels past Khaman Maluach (15 pts, 15 reb) and the Suns, improving to 2-1. | Recap

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4. MONDAY MATCHUPS: TOP-4 PICKS CLASH IN STACKED SLATE

Tonight is the next chance to see electric rookie Caleb Wilson, as he potentially faces a fellow top-4 pick who’s logged the most Summer League games of that group so far.

Bulls vs. Jazz (9 ET, ESPN): On the back-end of a back-to-back, No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson and Utah would look to slow Wilson in primetime, after his head-turning debut.

• Coming In Hot: Wilson eyes an encore to his 35-point shooting barrage Friday, the highest-scoring debut in NBA Summer League history
• More Important Than Points: “We lost. That’s my goal: to come here and win,” Wilson said. “Of course it’s cool, but somebody’s gonna break [the record] one day, like they always do.”
• Top-Picks Tour: Wilson’s first three Summer League games come against the top-3 picks taken ahead of him in June: Boozer, Peterson and Dybantsa on Tuesday
• Tone-Setter: Peterson’s 25 ppg this summer helped the Jazz to two of their three wins in the Salt Lake City circuit
• “He knows the game,” Jaren Jackson Jr. said of Peterson. “Savvy, he loves the game, watches a lot of film … He’s always gonna be like that.”

Mavericks vs. Grizzlies (7 ET, ESPN): In another matchup of top-10 picks, rookie forwards Cameron Boozer (No. 3 pick) and Morez Johnson Jr. (No. 9 pick) clash.

• In His Bag: Boozer has displayed his deep arsenal so far this summer, hitting threes (6 in 3 games), making great passes (4 apg), posting up, rebounding (5.7 rpg) and more
• Two-Way Talent: Johnson Jr. has shined defensively, totaling 6 blocks and 5 steals through two games, on top of his 27-point scoring debut
• “I wanna be on a winning team,” Johnson said this weekend of his goals. “All I care about is winning. As long as we’re winning, everything else will take care of itself.”

Six more games round out Monday, featuring the Finals champs seeking their first summer win against Ebuka Okorie (17 ppg) and the Pistons (4 ET, Prime), while Atlanta’s exciting trio of draft picks – Kingston Flemings, Zuby Ejiofor and Henri Veesar – face Boston (6 ET, Prime).

• Raptors vs. Pacers (4:30 ET, ESPN2)
• Heat vs. Cavaliers (8 ET, Prime)
• Suns vs. Bucks (10 ET, Prime)
• Wolves vs. Blazers (11 ET, ESPN2)

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5. SUNDAY STORYLINES: STANDOUT PLAY FROM THE FIRST WEEKEND IN VEGAS

NBA Summer League’s opening weekend in Las Vegas is in the books, and the playing field is starting to take shape.

The future stars of the league are settling into the summer action and starting to leave their mark in their first steps as pros.

Here are some of the standout performers from 2026 NBA Summer League so far, with insights from NBA.com’s Krysten Peek.

AJ Dybantsa, Wizards (No. 1 pick): Averaging 25 ppg in Vegas (2-0), Dybantsa’s 27-point debut tied the mark for most points by a No. 1 pick in their first NBA Summer League game:

“Dybantsa had the dunk of Day 1 and the entire arena erupted when he connected. He was able to get to his spots in the mid-range and defended the perimeter well, grabbing seven boards and forcing two steals while only committing one foul.” | More of Peek’s Day 1 standouts

Darryn Peterson, Jazz (No. 2 pick): Scored 23+ points in each of his four summer games so far.

“Peterson was able to showcase his natural scoring instincts …  he was instrumental in the Jazz’s comeback in the second half [against the Wizards] and finished with 27 points.”

Cameron Boozer, Grizzlies (No. 3 pick): Helped Memphis overcome Caleb Wilson’s explosive debut with strong two-way play (23 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk).

“Boozer matched the physicality of the forwards on the Bulls and was patient as a passer when he caught it on the wing. He was the best player in college basketball this past season and carried that confidence to the Grizzlies.”

Caleb Wilson, Bulls (No. 4 pick): Wilson (5 reb, 3 blk, 2 stl) poured in 35 points (12-21 FGs, 7-11 3PM), the most for any NBA Summer League debut in circuit history.

“Wilson was incredible from start-to-finish … but it wasn’t enough to get the win against Memphis. He scored the first bucket of the game – a 3-pointer at the top of the key – and didn’t look back from there … He was everywhere defensively and even hit tough shots over Boozer.“ | More Day 2 standouts

Labaron Philon Jr., Sixers (No. 22 pick): The only player to make Peek’s standouts list twice in the first three days, Philon has impressed with 42 points, 13 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 steals across two games in Vegas.

“Philon had 11 points in 11 minutes to start the game against Detroit and threw a dime to Johni Broome that had his four 76ers teammates sitting courtside rise out of their seats …

“Philon came alive in overtime against Indy and made huge plays down the stretch in the win … His mid-range pull-up jumper was almost unguardable and his footwork off the first step was impressive.”

Lakers – Arthur Kaluma, Cameron Carr (No. 24 pick), and Adou Thiero: L.A. is 2-0 in Vegas after a high-flying display of athleticism Friday from Carr and Thiero, along with returner Kaluma’s Saturday scoring eruption (34 pts, 6 3s, 11-16 FG).

“Carr looked very comfortable on the court. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard is deadly in transition and he had a couple impressive dunks that got the late-night crowd going”

Honorable Mentions: Yaxel Lendeborg, Darius Acuff Jr., Morez Johnson Jr., Egor Dëmin, Liam McNeeley | More

The week ahead in Vegas brings more marquee matchups, building up to the Playoffs tipping off Saturday.

• Tuesday: Dybantsa could face Wilson (back-to-back) in Wizards vs. Bulls. (8 ET, Prime), Boozer takes on Lendeborg (Grizzles-Warriors, 7 ET, ESPN) and No. 6 pick Mikel Brown Jr. faces No. 7 Acuff Jr. in Kings vs. Nets (6 ET, Prime)
• Wednesday: Dybantsa (back-to-back) could meet No. 5 pick Keaton Wagler in Wizards vs. Clippers (10:30 ET, ESPN)
• Thursday: Carr faces Wilson in Lakers vs. Bulls (6 ET, Prime), and Boozer’s Grizz meet No. 8 pick Kingston Flemings and the Hawks (8 ET, Prime)

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Clippers 104, Jazz 82: Box Score | Game Detail

LAS VEGAS — The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Utah Jazz, 104-82, in the 2026 NBA Summer League at Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday.

Utah held a 44-40 lead in the opening minutes of the third quarter, but Los Angeles ripped off a 42-12 run to finish the frame and decide the game. They got their lead up to 28 points in the fourth quarter while outscoring them in the second half, 64-44. The Clippers outrebounded the Jazz, 49-43, while outscoring them in second-chance points, 21-8. They also outscored Utah in points off turnovers, 23-8.

The Clippers (1-1) were led by their first-round pick, with Keaton Wagler collecting 23 points and three assists. Baba Miller amassed 15 points, five rebounds and two assists. Nick Martinelli led the bench with 14 points, six rebounds and two assists.

The Jazz (0-2) were also led by their first-round pick, with Darryn Peterson providing 20 points, five assists, two steals and two blocks. Jonas Aidoo had nine points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. Blake Hinson led the bench with 12 points, three rebounds and two assists.

On deck for Utah is a matchup with the Chicago Bulls on Monday (9 ET, ESPN). As for LA, they face the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday (10 ET, Prime Video) for their next outing.

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Spurs 90, Bucks 80: Box Score | Game Detail

LAS VEGAS – The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 90-80, in a 2026 NBA Summer League matchup at Cox Pavilion on Sunday.

San Antonio jumped out to a 25-10 lead after the first quarter and maintained a double-digit advantage for most of the game. In fact, the Bucks never got within six points after the opening seven minutes.

The Spurs shot 36.4% from the field and 21.9% from 3-point range, while the Bucks shot 42.6% from the field and 44.4% from long range.

Milwaukee had a 19-12 advantage in assists while forcing San Antonio to commit 23 turnovers.

The Spurs were led by R.J. Davis, who finished with 20 points, three assists and two steals. Emanuel Miller and Ja’Kobi Gillespie scored 13 points apiece. Hyunjung Lee led the team’s bench with 12 points and three boards.

The Bucks had only one starter in double figures, as first-round pick Brayden Burries provided 26 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Cormac Ryan led the bench with 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and four steals. Pete Nance had eight points, five rebounds and five assists.

Up next for Milwaukee (0-2) is a matchup with the Phoenix Suns on Monday (10 ET, Prime Video). The Spurs (2-1) will next play the Utah Jazz on Wednesday (9:30 ET, Prime Video).

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Magic 112, Trail Blazers 105 (OT): Box Score | Game Detail

LAS VEGAS – A prolific scoring performance from Lester Quinones propelled the Orlando Magic to a 112-105 overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers at the 2026 NBA Summer League on Sunday evening.

Quinones scored a game-high 30 points on 9-for-14 shooting from the field, adding eight rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Orlando shot a blistering 55.4% overall, including 48.0% from 3-point range, and enjoyed a 48-26 scoring advantage in the paint.

After emerging from the first quarter with a 33-22 deficit, the Magic got to work, erasing their deficit via a 48-38 advantage in the middle periods to send the game into the fourth quarter deadlocked at 71.

A pair of Keon Johnson free throws with six seconds remaining helped force overtime, but Orlando’s fast 8-2 start to the two-minute extra period teed up the hard-fought win.

Colin Castleton supported Quinones with 21 points, seven rebounds and two assists.

Phillip Wheeler poured in 18 points, while Johnson finished with 15 points, three assists and two rebounds. TyTy Washington Jr. supplied a full line with 12 points, seven assists, six rebounds and four steals.

Jayson Kent led the Trail Blazers with 20 points and eight rebounds. Chris Youngblood scored 14 points. Quincy Olivari totaled 13 points, three rebounds and three assists.

Jaylen Martin and DJ Steward managed 11 and 10 points, respectively, with the latter also tallying five assists and four rebounds.

The Trail Blazers (0-2) are back on the court Monday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves (11 ET, ESPN2), while the Magic (2-1) return to action Wednesday afternoon against the Philadelphia 76ers (4 ET, ESPNU).