During the first day of the Las Vegas Summer League, basketball fans were treated to a first look at many of the top NBA draft picks. The Thomas & Mack Center was sold out for the two marquee games, with 19,000 fans packing the gym to watch the Lakers take on the Rockets. The spotlight was on Bronny James, but it was Reed Sheppard, the No. 3 pick, who stole the show and led Houston to a 99-80 victory.
“It was good to get out again and start to compete and play with different guys,” Sheppard said after the game. “We had a good week in practice, so just to get out and go against another team was a lot of fun.”
In another exciting matchup, the Wizards faced off against the Hawks, featuring the No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher and the No. 2 pick Alex Sarr. The Wizards secured a 94-86 win over the Hawks in a closely contested game.
The first night of the Summer League lived up to expectations, with more action to come in the 11-day tournament. Notable performers from Day 1 were analyzed by Yahoo Sports.
In the Rockets vs. Lakers game, Reed Sheppard of the Rockets was outstanding, finishing with 23 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Dalton Knecht led the Lakers with 25 points, while Bronny James struggled with his shot, finishing with eight points.
In the Wizards vs. Hawks game, Zaccharie Risacher scored 18 points, showcasing his versatility on the court. Alex Sarr impressed with his rim protection, finishing the game with four blocks.
Overall, the first day of the Summer League was filled with excitement and promising performances from the top draft picks.
The NBA’s spacing provided the perfect platform for the 7-1 mobile center to shine, as he excelled in the pick-and-pop, confidently stepping out to the perimeter.
Although Sarr still needs to bulk up, he didn’t back down from physical play. He displayed his strength in the paint and showcased his passing skills when facing defensive pressure. The second overall pick put up an impressive stat line of 12 points (including two 3-pointers), seven rebounds, and four assists.
“I just took what the defense gave me and tried to make smart decisions on the court,” said Sarr. “This is a learning curve for me, adjusting to the speed of the game. Our team focuses on versatility, encouraging everyone to play multiple positions.”
Bub Carrington, Wizards
Carrington, selected 14th in the draft, displayed his all-around playmaking abilities in his debut game. The 18-year-old didn’t hesitate to take open shots off screens and was effective attacking the rim. He finished the game with 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists.
The Wizards may have found two foundational pieces in Sarr and Carrington, with the latter showing promising potential as the team’s primary ball-handler. He could see significant minutes as the starting point guard in the upcoming season.
“I felt really comfortable out there,” Carrington remarked. “Just playing the game I love and building chemistry with my teammates. We hit a rough patch with isolation plays but regrouped and trusted each other.”
Nikola Djurisic, Hawks
The Serbian guard may have only scored seven points, but his first NBA basket was a spectacular poster dunk over Sarr early in the game. Drafted 43rd overall, Djurisic also contributed two assists and two rebounds in a narrow defeat.
Other Noteworthy Performances
Terrence Shannon Jr., the 27th pick from Illinois, showcased his scoring prowess in his debut for Minnesota. He ended the game with 25 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks, displaying a preference for left-side finishes. Dillingham, with five assists, complemented Shannon well.
“While scoring is my forte, I’m focusing on setting up my teammates, especially with players like Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns on the team,” Dillingham shared post-game. “Studying film of players like Mike Conley has helped me understand how to facilitate the offense.”
The Orlando Magic dominated the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 106-79 victory, led by last year’s lottery picks, Anthony Black and Jett Howard. Tristen da Silva, this year’s 18th pick, played a crucial role on the wing with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.
On the other hand, the Pacers’ frontcourt duo of Jarace Walker and Oscar Tshiebwe combined for 42 points in a narrow loss to the Nets. Walker, a lottery pick from the previous year, and Tshiebwe, undrafted last year, put up a strong performance. Jalen Wilson of the Nets shined with 25 points, including five 3-pointers.