Top 10 moments of Las Vegas’ NBA Summer League — VIDEO
The NBA Summer League has concluded, after a jam-packed schedule featuring 67 games in 11 days.
There was plenty of excitement at Thomas & Mack Center and the Cox Pavilion, but in case you were too busy to come out or stayed in one arena the whole time, here are the top 10 highlights of this year’s summer league schedule:
1. Last three minutes of the championship game
The NBA Summer League ended in spectacular fashion.
With time winding down in the fourth quarter the Bulls and Timberwolves were tied 74-74 when Tyus Jones hit a deep three with three seconds left. Not to be outdone, Denzel Valentine tied the game for Chicago just before time expired.
Minnesota was trailing in overtime with 11 seconds remaining when Jones found Xavier Silas for a game-tying three. Valentine answered the call again though, hitting a buzzer-beater to deliver the title to the Bulls.
After a week full on exciting moments, the tournament had an epic ending.
.@denzelvalentine with the game winner to give the @chicagobulls the #NBASummer https://t.co/QlM73BCKBS
— NBASummerLeague (@NBASummerLeague) July 19, 2016
2. D’Angelo Russell’s spotlight-stealing game-winner
When the 76ers and Lakers played each other early in the tournament, everyone focused on the match-up between the top two picks in the 2016 draft.
Then D’Angelo Russell reminded everyone he’s still around too.
The Lakers point guard drained a three as time expired to give Los Angeles a 70-69 win over Philadelphia. The shot was a taste of a strong summer league for Russell, who averaged 21.8 points of 47.7 percent shooting in four games.
Wild Finish Between Lakers & 76ers as DAngelo Russell Hits the Game Winner: ICE IN MY VEINS https://t.co/6ZJmrXkplY https://t.co/qjjfqgGctA
— Sportando (@Sportando) July 10, 2016
3. Tyler Ulis beats the buzzer
Score one for the little guys.
With 1.8 seconds left in overtime Phoenix trailed Denver 81-79 in the tournament quarterfinals and had the ball. Point guard Tyler Ulis inbounded the ball then got it right back to take the deciding shot, and his make at the buzzer put the Suns in the semis.
Ulis, who is listed at 5-foot-10, averaged 14.5points and 6.3 assists in the NBA Summer League.
.@TUlis3 for the WIN!! #ThisIsWhyWePlay #NBASummer https://t.co/kpabgz1dtX
— NBA (@NBA) July 17, 2016
4. Trey Lyles’ dunk to force double OT
Even in a loss, Trey Lyles provided one of the top highlights in one of the tournament’s craziest games.
Utah trailed 89-85 with 1.2 seconds left in overtime in its third game when Spencer Butterfield was fouled and given three shots at the line. After making the first two the Jazz needed an intentional miss and a bucket to keep the game alive.
Lyles made it happen. The forward scored on a putback dunk and the game went into double overtime.
Lyles finished with 30 points in the game, but the Trail Blazers won on a Pat Connaughton three in sudden death.
Trey Lyles gets the tap in off the missed free throw to send the game to a 2nd OT! #NBASummer https://t.co/GkOTDciBRA
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 12, 2016
5. Tyus Jones’ Reggie Miller move
The NBA Summer League’s MVP kept coming through to help his team survive and advance.
The Timberwolves were tied with top-seeded Toronto 79-79 in the quarterfinals and Jones had the ball in the corner with time running out.
Jones saw a defender leaping towards him, stuck out his left leg and forced up an awkward jump shot. He somehow drew a foul on the play and shot game-winning free throws to send his team on to the semis.
Tyus Jones pulls a Reggie Miller to draw a foul and beat the Raptors at LVSL https://t.co/6QK9YG6iAX
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) July 16, 2016
6. Those Ben Simmons’ dimes
Ben Simmons wasn’t perfect in his first taste of NBA action, but some of his passes were.
The No. 1 overall draft pick averaged 5.5 assists in Las Vegas, many of them coming in spectacular fashion. The forward showed off his court vision by dishing his teammates lobs and behind-the-back passes when not looking to score himself.
The forward’s ability to control the action stuck out at his size, even as he struggled with his shot and turnovers at times.
Well hello Ben Simmons. pic.twitter.com/bOrEJEcBbM
— John Meyer (@thedailywolf) July 16, 2016
7. Star sightings
The NBA Summer League serves as the center of the NBA universe during its run, as players, coaches and owners all mingle in Las Vegas to take in some basketball.
Some highlight appearances this year included Golden State’s Draymond Green, Chicago’s Jimmy Butler, Minnesota’s Karl Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins and Milwaukee’s Jabari Parker.
And, last but not least, rapper Meek Mill stopped by to take in some of the action at Thomas & Mack.
Meek Mill Supporting Ben Simmons & The #Sixers At The NBA Summer League. pic.twitter.com/d7gVnTp9AC
— Global (@VinePhilly) July 15, 2016
8. Kris Dunn’s epic crossover
Kris Dunn saw his summer league cut short, but the No. 5 pick still dazzled in limited action.
Before he sustained a concussion, in his first game the former Providence point guard made such a sweet crossover move in his first game against Denver his defender, JaKarr Sampson, fell down.
He finished with 27 points in the game to with five rebounds, three steals and two assists.
That Kris Dunn crossover though #NBASummer https://t.co/aNIrAYPUEg
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 9, 2016
9. Dunks for days
The 11-day event featured plenty of throwdowns at the basket, some of them in vicious fashion.
76ers forward Jerami Grant had a monster dunk on Lakers center Ivica Zubac early in the tournament. Not to be outdone, Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. responded with a huge dunk and he later had another strong one in Los Angeles’ game against Cleveland.
Philly's Jerami Grant uncorked one of the best Summer League dunks ever. (via @xylondimoff) https://t.co/PZYKqo3d9w https://t.co/s5yQdywRdj
— SB Nation NBA (@SBNationNBA) July 10, 2016
Another top dunk came from Portland rookie forward Jake Layman, throwing down on Phoenix lottery pick Marquese Chriss.
Larry Nance Jr. glides in again for the dunk.https://t.co/5PnFHHtWdp
— arcusD (@_MarcusD_) July 10, 2016
10. Devin Booker splashes in limited action
Suns guard Devin Booker only played in two games in Las Vegas. That’s all Phoenix needed to see.
The second-year player was scoring seemingly at will, putting up 28 and 24 points against Portland and Boston, respectively. Booker shot 47.4 percent (18-of-38) from the field in the tournament and 60 percent on three-pointers (6-of-10).
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