NBA Summer League Day 6: Former No. 2 pick back to top form

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Brandon Williams (31) works to maintain control of the ball as Atlanta Hawks guard Kobe Bufkin (4) looks to steal during the first half of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Feron Hunt (44) looks to pass around Atlanta Hawks forward Uros Plavsic (33) during the first half of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Brandon Williams (31) takes a charge from Atlanta Hawks guard David Singleton (34) during the first half of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Atlanta Hawks forward Uros Plavsic (33) battles for the ball beneath the rim with Minnesota Timberwolves forward Josh Minott (8) during the first half of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Brandon Williams (31) lays in the ball over Atlanta Hawks forward Vit Krejci (27) during the first half of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Minnesota Timberwolves guard D.J. Carton (16) looks tom pass over Atlanta Hawks guard Kobe Bufkin (4) during the first half of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Brandon Williams (31) elevates to score over Atlanta Hawks forward Mfiondu Kabengele (28) during the second half of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Fans have fun with the "flex cam" during an NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Minnesota Timberwolves guard D.J. Carton (16) elevates to score over Atlanta Hawks forward Mfiondu Kabengele (28) with guard Tyrese Martin (22) during the second half of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Feron Hunt (44) has a shot rejected by Atlanta Hawks forward Vit Krejci (27) and guard Seth Lundy (8) during the second half of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Atlanta Hawks guard Tyrese Martin (22) elevates to score against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Feron Hunt (44) during the second half of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

The Minnesota Timberwolves battle the Atlanta Hawks during the second half of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kris Bankston (30) pulls down a rebound over Atlanta Hawks guard David Singleton (34) beside teammate Timberwolves guard Brandon Williams (31) during the second half of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Original art by Las Vegas pencil sketch artist Spidey on display in the concourse during the NBA Summer League at the Thomas and Mack Center on Tuesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Minnesota Timberwolves guard D.J. Carton (16) elevates to shoot a 3-point basket over Atlanta Hawks guard Tyrese Martin (28) during the second half of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

A claw machine offers a chance at merchandise in the concourse during the NBA Summer League at the Thomas and Mack Center on Tuesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Original art of Tupac by Las Vegas pencil sketch artist Spidey on display in the concourse during the NBA Summer League at the Thomas and Mack Center on Tuesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Original art of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson by Las Vegas pencil sketch artist Spidey on display in the concourse during the NBA Summer League at the Thomas and Mack Center on Tuesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Original art of James Harden by Las Vegas pencil sketch artist Spidey on display in the concourse during the NBA Summer League at the Thomas and Mack Center on Tuesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Original art by Las Vegas pencil sketch artist Spidey is a mosaic of Summer League images on display in the concourse during the NBA Summer League at the Thomas and Mack Center on Tuesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

A neon sign in the concourse during the NBA Summer League at the Thomas and Mack Center on Tuesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Fans shoot hoops in the concourse during the NBA Summer League at the Thomas and Mack Center on Tuesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Detroit Pistons guard Jared Rhoden (8) elevates for a basket over Toronto Raptors center David McCormack (30) and forward Kevin Obanor (0) during the second half of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Fans play NBA2K24 in the concourse during the NBA Summer League at the Thomas and Mack Center on Tuesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Players warm up on the court before the first half of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson (9) goes up high for a late pass when a shot is unavailable against Toronto Raptors guard Markquis Nowell (24) during the second half of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Toronto Raptors guard Darryl Morsell (37) looks to a loose ball with teammates guard RJ Nembhard (12) and center David McCormack (30) against the Detroit Pistons during the second half of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Detroit Pistons forward Jack Nunge (48) and teammate guard Stanley Umude (14) steal the ball from Toronto Raptors guard Darryl Morsell (37) during the second half of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Detroit Pistons guard Jared Rhoden (8) elevates for a basket past Toronto Raptors guard Ron Harper Jr. (8) during the second half of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Detroit Pistons guard Marcus Sasser (25) lays the ball in against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Detroit Pistons players are pumped as they take the lead late against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

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By Sam Gordon / Las Vegas Review-Journal

July 12, 2023 - 9:50 pm

NBA SUMMER LEAGUE: DAY 6

Who: All 30 NBA teams

When: Thursday to Monday

Where: Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion

Tickets: Start at $35 for children and seniors and $45 for adults for single-day pass

Wednesday’s scores

Los Angeles Clippers 83, Memphis 74

Atlanta 99, Minnesota 93

Dallas 98, Golden State 96 (OT)

Detroit 94, Toronto 90

Oklahoma City 98, Indiana 87

New York 82, Orlando 80 (OT)

Utah 96, Denver 91

Boston 95, Los Angeles Lakers 90

Thursday’s games

Cleveland vs. Chicago, noon, Thomas & Mack, ESPN2

Philadelphia vs. Atlanta, 12:30 p.m., Cox Pavilion, NBAtv

Brooklyn vs. Toronto, 2 p.m., Thomas & Mack, ESPN2

Miami vs. Milwaukee, 2:30 p.m., Cox Pavilion, NBAtv

Houston vs. Golden State, 4 p.m., Thomas & Mack, ESPN

Charlotte vs. New Orleans, 4:30 p.m., Cox Pavilion, NBAtv

Portland vs. Orlando, 6 p.m. Thomas & Mack, ESPN2

Minnesota vs. Sacramento, 6:30 p.m., Cox Pavilion, NBAtv

Stars of the day

Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder forward-center

Last year’s No. 2 overall pick continued his torrid NBA Summer League play, tallying 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting to go with nine rebounds and five blocks in the win over Indiana.

Holmgren lost his rookie season to a foot injury sustained during a Pro-Am event last summer, but is among the favorites to with the 2023-24 rookie of the year as a redshirt rookie.

Kenneth Lofton Jr., Memphis Grizzlies forward

The undersized second-year big man posted 24 points and 10 rebounds, converting 9 of 12 field goals — including the first six he attempted — in a loss to the Clippers.

At 6 feet, 7 inches, Lofton is an overpowering post presence committed to modernizing his skill set so it better suits the NBA. As a result, he made 2 of 4 3-pointers, including a trailing triple at the top of the key.

Undrafted last year, Lofton played 24 games for the Grizzlies, recording 42 points and 14 rebounds in the final regular-season game of his rookie season.

Tyrese Martin, Atlanta Hawks guard

The 51st pick in the 2022 draft, Martin recorded 25 points and nine rebounds against the Timberwolves, shooting 9 of 15 from the field.

Martin saved his best for last, scoring 14 in the fourth quarter. The 6-6 24-year-old, formerly of Rhode Island and Connecticut, averaged 1.3 points and 0.8 rebounds in 16 games last season.

Faces in the crowd

San Antonio Spurs phenom and No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama returned to Thomas & Mack Center for an interview on ESPN’s “NBA Today.” The star of NBA Summer League was shut down by the Spurs after a dominant showing Sunday, when he had 27 points and 12 rebounds to rebound from a lackluster showing Friday in his debut.

Former Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and New York Yankees infielder Alex Rodriguez sat courtside to watch the Timberwolves play Atlanta. Rodriguez has 696 career home runs — to go along with ownership stake in Minnesota.

One day after attending the Aces’ victory over the Phoenix Mercury at Michelob Ultra Arena, former Duke men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski watched Summer League action at Cox Pavilion. Golden State coach Steve Kerr and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. attended their team’s game against the Mavericks with Krzyzewski.

Kerr, like Krzyzewski before him, is coaching the U.S. men’s national team, which plays next month in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

All-NBA first-team honoree Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder sat courtside for his team’s game at Cox Pavilion. Joining Gilgeous-Alexander were teammates Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams, who collectively comprise with Holmgren the NBA’s most talented core of young players.

Sam Gordon Review-Journal