2026 California Classic Summer League

Recap: 2026 California Classic, Day 2 | Darius Acuff Jr. leads Kings to comeback win

Tap in with the NBA.com live blog as the 2026 NBA Summer League opens with the California Classic.

Ben Lambert, for NBA.com

Darius Acuff Jr. led the Sacramento Kings to a comeback win over the Brooklyn Nets in the second half of our California Classic doubleheader Saturday.

Welcome to the 2026 NBA Summer League! We open the festivities with the 2026 California Classic, coming to you live from Sacramento.

The day opened with a 97-83 Bucks win over the Warriors Blue squad, led by Bogoljub Marković (16 pts, 7 reb), and ended with a Kings 79-76 comeback win over the Nets, as they rallied behind Darius Acuff Jr. (25 pts, 4 ast).

Follow along with the California Classic with the NBA.com live blog.

JULY 4 / 8:28 p.m. ET

One time for Darius Acuff Jr.

JULY 4 / 7:14 p.m. ET

Kings win 79-76

Nique Clifford (14 pts) knocked down a game-winning 3-pointer off an assist from Darius Acuff Jr. (25 pts, 4 ast), giving the Kings a thrilling win in front of their home fans in Sacramento.

Dylan Cardwell (8 pts, 8 reb, 4 blk) earned the Kings their final possession, first by tying up Egor Dёmin on a rebound, then swatting Ben Saraff’s layup attempt in transition off the ensuing jump ball.

Dёmin (23 pts, 7 reb, 2 3PM) led the Nets’ offense. Brooklyn led by as many as 18 before the Kings rallied in the second half.

JULY 4 / 7:05 p.m. ET

A close one late

Nets 76-75 with 52 seconds remaining, as No. 43 pick Tyler Bilodeau (9 pts) hits a midrange jumper to lift them back into the lead.

We’ve seen nine lead changes, including four in the last four possessions, and five ties in this contest.

That included seven straight points created by Darius Acuff Jr. (3 pts, 2 ast), rallying the Kings back from a 72-66 deficit.

Catch the finish!

JULY 4 / 6:42 p.m. ET

Nets up 57-56 after three

Chaney Johnson is close to a double-double (10 pts, 9 reb) as the Nets try to hold off the Kings in the Golden 1 Center. The 6-foot-7 Auburn alumni is on a two-way contract for Brooklyn.

Darius Acuff Jr. (17 pts) has battled his way to lead Sacramento in scoring, giving his home fans a show to start the summer.

Sacramento has a 36-18 advantage in points in the paint and a 18-6 lead in points off turnovers.

JULY 4 / 6:28 p.m. ET

Darius not to be denied

Darius Acuff Jr. (13 pts) just bounced off a defender in the lane to hit a floater in traffic, showing some classic touch from a John Calipari-coached guard.

51-46 Nets with 2:44 to go in the third quarter.

JULY 4 / 6:22 p.m. ET

A defensive battle in Sacramento

45-42 Nets with 5:37 to go in the third quarter, as these teams grind it out.

Egor Dёmin (15 pts, 6 reb) has been a bright spot, building on his form from his rookie campaign, when he averaged 10.2 ppg.

JULY 4 / 6:04 p.m. ET

Tied at 37 at the half

Sacramento won the second quarter 27-16, getting back into the game by earning a 20-8 advantage in points in the paint.

Emmanuel Sharp (11 pts, 2 3PM) is the top scorer for the Kings, while Egor Dёmin (11 pts, 5 reb) is leading the way for the Nets.

JULY 4 / 6:01 p.m. ET

Kings are rallying

Sacramento’s on the comeback trail in front of their home fans.

JULY 4 / 5:31 p.m. ET

Nets up 21-10 after one

Brooklyn held Sacramento to 3-for-18 (16.7%) shooting in the first quarter, including an 0-for-10 mark from 3-point range.

Darius Acuff Jr. (3 pts, 2 reb) is grinding to find his feel early for Sacramento, while Hunter Sallis (6 pts) leads the Nets.

Sallis, a former McDonald’s All-American and Gatorade Player of the Year in Nebraska, was a two-time ACC First Team member at Wake Forest. He played seven games for the Philadelphia 76ers in 2025-26.

JULY 4 / 5:23 p.m. ET

Nets leading early

15-7 Brooklyn with 3:00 to go in the first quarter, led by Egor Dёmin (5 pts, 3 reb).

They’ve out-rebounded Sacramento 13-5 so far, holding the Kings to 2-for-12 (16.7%) shooting.

JULY 4 / 5:03 p.m. ET

Nets-Kings continues our Saturday slate

The Nets’ backcourt of the future could be Egor Dёmin and No. 6 pick Mikel Brown Jr., who highlight their summer squad, along with former first-round picks Danny Wolf, Drake Powell and Ben Saraf.

The Kings are led by No. 7 pick Darius Acuff Jr., along with Nique Clifford, who had his moments for Sacramento this past season.

JULY 4 / 4:54 p.m. ET

Bucks win 97-83

Bogoljub Marković (14 pts, 6 reb) debuted with a flourish as Milwaukee overwhelmed Golden State in the second half, earning a win in their California Classic opener.

The Bucks put up a 58-34 advantage in points in the paint en route to the win.

NBA veterans Brandon Boston Jr. (17 pts on 6-for 9 shooting), Kira Lewis Jr. (14 pts, 5 ast) and Cormac Ryan (13 pts) also showed out for the Bucks.

RJ Nembhard (15 pts, 2 ast) was the top scorer for the Warriors Blue squad.

Read more about the game on NBA.com.

JULY 4 / 4:41 p.m. ET

Bucks running in transition

Milwaukee’s opened up a 14-5 lead in fast break points, including four straight, keeping control over Warriors Blue.

Malique Lewis (5 pts, 4 reb), the 60th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, just converted a tough and-one finish in traffic, lifting the Bucks to a 88-70 advantage with 5:20 to go in the game.

JULY 4 / 4:27 p.m. ET

Bucks up 77-58 after three

Milwaukee took control of this one in the third quarter, outscoring the Warriors 34-13.

Brandon Boston Jr. (15 pts) leads them in scoring.

They’ve held Golden State to 36.8% shooting from the field while establishing a 44-26 advantage in points in the paint.

JULY 4 / 4:13 p.m. ET

Bogoljub spurring the Bucks

Bogoljub Marković (12 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast) created eight straight points for Milwaukee, helping them to a 67-56 lead with 3:45 to go in the third.

The reigning ABA Best Young Player is worth checking out.

JULY 4 / 3:53 p.m. ET

Warriors lead 45-43 at the break

Milwaukee closed on a 14-6 run to make this contest close at the half, as former Clipper Brandon Boston Jr. (9 pts) and Jesse Edwards (9 pts, 3 reb, 2 blk) lead them in scoring.

Golden State boasts five players with six-plus points, shooting 6-for-15 (40%) from 3-point range so far. They’ve led all game, but have to hold off the charging Bucks.

JULY 4 / 3:44 p.m. ET

Marković making a mark

Bogoljub Marković (6 pts on 3-for-6 shooting) has flashed for the Bucks so far, showing some graceful length at  6-foot-11. The young man looks like a talent.

JULY 4 / 3:25 p.m. ET

Warriors lead 25-18 after one

Steve Settle III (7 pts) scored seven straight for Golden State in the first, including a 28-foot 3-pointer, helping the Warriors Blue squad take command early.

Settle III, who attended Howard and Temple, played 14 games for the Sioux Falls Skyforce in 2025-26.

The Warriors are shooting 55.6% from the field, while the Bucks are at 33.3%.

JULY 4 / 3:13 p.m. ET

Moni is money so far

Jacksen Moni (6 pts on 2-for-3 shooting) is off to a hot start for the Warriors Blue squad, speeding them to a 15-8 lead with 5:19 to go in the first.

The 6-foot-10 Moni, who attended North Dakota State, played five games for the Santa Cruz Warriors in 2025-26, averaging 8.6 ppg.

He was first team All-Summit League in his senior college season, shooting 40.6% from 3-point range and 83.7% from the line.

On the Bucks side, Bogoljub Marković, the former No. 47 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, opened the scoring with a smooth catch-and-finish.

JULY 4 / 1:25 p.m. ET

Warriors Blue-Bucks gets Saturday’s slate going

The Warriors Blue roster features Colby Jones, who’s played 70 games over three NBA seasons, most notably with the Sacramento Kings.

The Bucks boast No. 10 pick Brayden Burries, former Adriatic Basketball Association Best Young Player Bogoljub Marković and NBA veterans Pete Nance, Kira Lewis Jr., John Butler Jr., Luke Travers and Brandon Boston Jr.

JULY 4 / 12:19 a.m. ET

Warriors take dominant 104-72 win

No. 11 pick Yaxel Lendeborg (19 pts on 6-6 FGs, 5 reb, 6 ast, 4 3PM) had a sterling debut to his pro career, leading the way as the Warriors romped over the Lakers.

“Felt great,” said Lendeborg. “I had a lot of fun… Hopefully we can take it into the next game and continue to build.”

The Warriors had 32 assists on 39 field goals as they shot 62.9% from the field in the win, including a 16-for-26 mark (61.5%) from 3-point range.

No. 24 pick Cameron Carr (19 pts, 5 3PM) was the leading scorer for the Lakers.

Read more about the game on NBA.com.

JULY 4 / 12:01 a.m. ET

Lajae in the books

Lajae Jones, a 2024 NJCAA national champion with Barton Community College and the No. 54 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, knocks down a 3-pointer to begin his career.

91-63 Warriors with 5:52 to go in the fourth.

JULY 3 / 11:52 p.m. ET

Warriors up 86-52 after three

Golden State’s shooting 32-for-49 (65.3%) from the field in front of their home fans in San Francisco as they dominate the Lakers in the second game of the California Classic.

The Warriors are 14-for-22 (63.6%) from 3-point range — even Stephen Curry would be pleased with that percentage.

They also have a 34-24 advantage in points in the paint and a 14-5 edge in fast break points.

JULY 3 / 11:31 p.m. ET

Lendeborg still locked in

Yaxel Lendeborg (19 pts) starts his second half with an and-one layup, muscling Adou Thiero out of the way and finding space under the rim for the lay-in. He’s making a statement in his debut.

60-33 Warriors with 9:38 to go in the third.

JULY 3 / 11:21 p.m. ET

Warriors lead 57-33 at the half

Yaxel Lendeborg (16 pts on 5-5 FGs, 5 reb, 4 ast, 4 3PM) is on fire to start his Summer League, joined by Will Richard (16 pts) as the Warriors, who have committed just two turnovers, push out to a halftime lead.

Golden State went on a 25-5 run to end the second period, including four 3-pointers by Richard.

Cameron Carr (14 pts, 4 3PM) is making his presence felt for the Lakers on the other end.

JULY 3 / 11:02 p.m. ET

Lendeborg lets it fly

Yaxel Lendeborg (14 pts) just dribbled into an above-the-break 3-pointer, looking smooth as he drilled it over the contest from Adou Thiero. Impressive shot from the rookie, who’s now 4-for-4 from distance.

36-28 Warriors with 6:36 to go in the second.

JULY 3 / 10:59 p.m. ET

Zhaire in midair

Zhaire Smith (2 pts) just floated to the rim for a putback layup, showing the trademark hops that got him drafted in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft out of Texas Tech.

33-28 Warriors with 8:04 to go in the half.

JULY 3 / 10:55 p.m. ET

Warriors lead 28-23 after one

First-round picks Yaxel Lendeborg (11 pts) and Cameron Carr (8 pts) are starring so far, as the Warriors take a 28-23 lead over the Lakers into the second quarter.

Lendeborg is 3-for-3 from 3-point range so far, benefitting as Golden State posted 10 assists on 12 field goals. They’re shooting 54.5% from the field, while the Lakers are at 50%.

Yaxel’s excited to be out there, showing some passion and moving the ball with verve so far.

JULY 3 / 10:39 p.m. ET

Yaxel starts off hot

Yaxel Lendeborg (6 pts, 2 ast, 2 3PM) has started off with a bang, giving the Warriors a lift as they start their Summer League campaign.

The 6-foot-9 forward brings size and versatility to the floor at all times.

16-10 Warriors with 4:58 to go in the first quarter.

JULY 3 / 10:02 p.m. ET

Lakers-Warriors Gold in the nightcap

The second half of our Summer League doubleheader features the Warriors debut of No. 11 pick Yaxel Lendeborg, who last played during Michigan’s national championship win over UConn in March.

Will Richard should also feature heavily after having bright moments for Golden State last season.

The Lakers’ roster is highlighted by Cameron Carr, the No. 24 pick; Adou Thiero, who saw time against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Playoffs; Robbie Avila, who drew comparisons to Nikola Jokić at Indiana State and St. Louis; and Zhaire Smith, the former No. 16 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, who’s on the comeback trail.

JULY 3 / 9:42 p.m. ET

Heat hold off Spurs 88-87

The Spurs and Heat traded big shots down the stretch, including four late points from Tarris Reed Jr. (10 pts, 7 reb), but Miami survived to take the first game of the 2026 Summer League and the California Classic.

Ryan Conwell (21 pts, 3 3PM) and Jahmir Young (21 pts, 4 ast, 3 stl, 3 3PM) were the top scorers for the Heat, while Miles Kelly (16 pts) paced things for the Spurs.

“Just really locking in and playing team ball,” said Conwell of the win. “Blessed.”

Read more about the game on NBA.com.

JULY 3 / 9:32 p.m. ET

Spurs cut it to two

76-74 Heat with 4:39 to go, as Ja’Kobi Gillespie finds Maliq Brown (10 pts, 3 reb) for an alley-oop jam.

Gillespie’s been a steady presence for the Spurs, showing his chops as a floor general and creator. His handle looks a cut above the other guards on the floor.

JULY 3 / 9:20 p.m. ET

Heat up 65-57 after three

Ryan Conwell (13 pts) knocked down his second 3-pointer of the game as the third quarter wound down. He’s made his presence felt in his first Summer League action, showing some skill and shooting.

The Spurs have hung around in this game, but never led. Tarris Reed Jr. (4 pts, 5 reb) has been battling Vladislav Golden (10 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast) in the post as he looks to get his sea legs.

JULY 3 / 9:16 p.m. ET

Jahmir is in the groove

He’s up to 14 points for the Heat, including this quick slash to the rim and graceful finish.

JULY 3 / 9:01 p.m. ET

Conwell on the break

The Louisville product delivered a nice one-handed bounce pass on the break to Jahmir Young (12 pts) for a layup. An encouraging sign and nice dime.

45-41 Heat with 7:42 to go in the third, as Conwell goes to the line again.

JULY 3 / 8:51 p.m. ET

Heat lead 43-36 at the half

Miami’s earned an 18-8 edge in points in the paint, as well as an 8-2 advantage in fast break points, on their way to a halftime lead.

Both teams are flying around and playing defense, as players seek to earn spots in the Association.

Keyshawn Hall, most recently of Auburn, converted this sweet Eurostep layup to help give the Heat the upper hand.

Catch the second half on ESPN and Prime Video!

JULY 3 / 8:39 p.m. ET

A little duel out West

Jahmir Young (10 pts in 10:14) dropped seven quick points to open the second quarter, pushing Miami’s advantage.

But he was matched by Miles Kelly (11 pts), who has seven in the quarter as well, including a layup off a dime from Ja’Kobi Gillespie (5 ast) that just cut the Heat lead to five.

38-33 Miami with 3:25 to go in the half.

JULY 3 / 8:27 p.m. ET

Heat lead 25-16 after one

Ryan Conwell and former Knick Trevor Keels (6 pts) lead Miami in scoring, while North Carolina product R.J. Davis (5 pts) is the top man for the Spurs.

Myron Gardner delivered the highlight of the first quarter, though.

JULY 3 / 8:16 p.m. ET

Conwell to the line

Ryan Conwell, the No. 37 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, just went to the line after being fouled on a 3-pointer, which he squared up on the move to launch.

If he’s that kind of confident, it’ll be a meaningful addition for Miami as they surround Giannis Antetokounmpo. He shot 34.5% from 3-point range and 83.2% from the line in his senior season at Louisville.

18-10 Heat with 3:32 to go in the first.

JULY 3 / 8:02 p.m. ET

The Heat open the summer scoring

Jahmir Young breaks the seal on the 2026 Summer League with a 15-foot jumper.

The Maryland product played 14 games with the Heat in 2025-26, averaging 1.8 ppg in 4.1 mpg.

JULY 3 / 6:40 p.m. ET

The summer begins to heat up

Our first game of the summer features the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs (8 ET, Prime / ESPN / NBA TV).

Miami will be led by second-year guard Myron Gardner and second-round pick Ryan Conwell, while San Antonio features second-year wing Carter Bryant and rookies Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed Jr.

JULY 3 / 6:30 p.m. ET

New rule in play for Summer League

This summer, we’ll be testing the one free throw rule, which has been in place in the G League since the 2019-20 season.

The G League and Summer League have often served as testing labs for the league before bringing rule changes or amended policies into NBA games.

Among those that started at those levels and eventually got to the NBA: the coaches’ challenge, resetting the 24-second shot clock to 14 seconds in offensive rebound situations and the one-shot award for a transition take foul — which is when a defender intentionally commits a foul to halt a transition opportunity for the opposition.

The 2026 Summer League will also use a “connected basketball,” which contains a sensor that detects contact with the ball.

Related

Latest