Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu and the Mavericks are facing the Knicks on Prime as the 2026 NBA Summer League continues.
Welcome to Day 9 of the 2026 NBA Summer League!
The Kings defeated the Hornets 92-90 in a contest that saw eight lead changes, overcoming a double-double from No. 14 pick Hannes Steinbach (22 pts, 11 reb).
The Cavaliers defeated the Bulls 100-91, as No. 34 pick Maleek Thomas (24 pts, 3 3PM) turned in another strong scoring performance.
Now, we have Mavericks-Knicks (8:30 ET, Prime Video) in the Pavilion and Pistons-Heat (9 ET, ESPN) in the Thomas & Mack Center.
- Friday’s Summer League schedule
- 2026 NBA Summer League standings
- Recap: Lakers, Grizzlies, Warriors and Rockets reach semifinals on Day 8 of Summer League
- Recap: 2026 California Classic
- Recap: 2026 Salt Lake City Summer League
JULY 17 / 8:45 p.m. ET
Mavericks–Knicks tipping off on Prime
Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu is ready to soar for the Mavericks again in this one, as they face Pacôme Dadiet and the Knicks.
JULY 17 / 8:43 p.m. ET
Cavaliers win 100-91
Meleek Thomas (24 pts, 3 3PM) led all scorers as the Cavs earned nine more shots than the Bulls and controlled the paint to earn a win to close out their summer.
“Just taking what the defense’s giving me,” said Thomas. “I’m going to forever be one of the best on the court I play on.”
Thomas (27.3 ppg this summer) powered the Cavs offense, opening eyes and earning praise beyond your typical No. 34 pick.
“He’s shown the entire array,” said ESPN’s Tom Crean. “He hasn’t forced plays with the pressure, and he’s made very good decisions. He has point guard in his future.”
Donovan Atwell (22 pts, 6 3PM) topped the scoring for Chicago.
Watch highlights from the game.
JULY 17 / 8:28 p.m. ET
Kings win 92-90
Emanuel Sharp (16 pts, 4 3PM, 3 stl) led the Kings to a close win over the Hornets, as Sacramento put up 23 assists on 32 made field goals.
“It’s great. We had a rough few games before this, but we fought back today,” said Sharp. “It was a tough one, but we pulled it out in the end.”
The Kings took the lead with just under four minutes to go and never relinquished it, earning control of a game that saw eight lead changes.
Adam Flagler knocks down the clutch triple 👌
He puts Sacramento up 4 PTS late in the 4Q on Prime! pic.twitter.com/mZDC8L5DUz
— NBA (@NBA) July 18, 2026
Hannes Steinbach (22 pts, 11 reb) was the top performer for the Hornets.
Watch highlights from the game.
JULY 17 / 8:15 p.m. ET
Kings-Hornets going down to the wire
84-83 Charlotte with 4:14 to go on Prime. Catch the finish on this Friday night!
JULY 17 / 7:48 p.m. ET
Meleek on the attack
Meleek Thomas (12 pts, 2 3PM) is at it again for the Cavaliers, who are up 45-37 on the Bulls at the half.
Meleek Thomas' speed 😳
The No. 34 overall pick leads all scorers with 12 points on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/nSSj4d52lW
— NBA (@NBA) July 17, 2026
The No. 34 pick is the only player in double figures in the contest, helping the Cavs rack up a 24-10 advantage in points in the paint.
Legitimate burst here from the rookie out of Arkansas.
JULY 17 / 7:00 p.m. ET
Bulls-Cavaliers about to tip off on ESPN
No. 34 pick Meleek Thomas, fresh off a 35-point outing, leads the Cavaliers against the Bulls.
JULY 17 / 6:50 p.m. ET
These teams are running
We’re lacking shot clocks at the moment, so both teams are pushing the ball, creating an interesting change-of-pace in the Pavilion.
We’ve seen 18 shots in the first five-plus minutes of the game, with Hannes Steinbach (9 pts, 3 reb) excelling in the high tempo environment.
Hannes Steinbach is off to a HOT start 🔥
The No. 14 pick has 9 of the Hornets' first 11 PTS on Prime! pic.twitter.com/8q43Ptifux
— NBA (@NBA) July 17, 2026
14-11 Kings with 3:57 to go in the first.
JULY 17 / 6:30 p.m. ET
Kings–Hornets opens Friday’s action on Prime
No. 14 pick Hannes Steinbach and No. 18 pick Christian Anderson are in action for the Hornets as they take on the Kings.
JULY 17 / 6:15 p.m. ET
Friday’s Summer League schedule
- Charlotte Hornets vs. Sacramento Kings (6:30 ET, Prime Video)
- Featuring No. 14 pick Hannes Steinbach and No. 18 pick Christian Anderson
- Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (7 ET, ESPN)
- Featuring No. 34 pick Meleek Thomas
- Dallas Mavericks vs. New York Knicks (8:30 ET, Prime Video)
- Featuring No. 25 pick Sergio De Larrea
- Detroit Pistons vs. Miami Heat (9 ET, ESPN)
- Featuring No. 17 pick Ebuka Okorie
- Portland Trail Blazers vs. Utah Jazz (10:30 ET, Prime Video)
- Featuring 2025 No. 16 pick Yang Hansen
- Minnesota Timberwolves vs. LA Clippers (11 ET, ESPN)
- Featuring No. 5 pick Keaton Wagler
JULY 17 / 6:00 p.m. ET
Recap of Day 8 in the 2026 NBA Summer League
The Lakers, Rockets, Grizzlies and Warriors advanced to the tournament semifinals, where they’ll compete for the championship.
Led by No. 25 pick Sergio De Larrea (9 reb, 14 ast) and the high-flying acrobatics of Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu (12 pts, 5 reb), the Mavericks defeated the Thunder 97-87 to open Thursday’s action.
The Rockets beat the Nets 103-83, led by backcourt mates Bruce Thornton (23 pts) and Tristen Newton (20 pts), giving them a 3-1 record and, eventually, a spot in the semifinals.
The Lakers advanced to the semifinals by earning a 105-82 win over the Bulls, as six double-figure scorers overcame Caleb Wilson (21 pts, 8 reb).
The Warriors vaulted into contention for a semifinals spot by beating the Knicks 87-77, later clinching it after the Blazers won the final game of the night..
No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer (24 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast) and the Grizzlies clinched a semifinals spot by demolishing the Hawks 96-64, holding them to a Summer League record-low 2 first-quarter points.
The Raptors earned a 99-90 win over the Heat, led by No. 19 pick Allen Graves (23 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast).
Yang Hansen (13 pts, 5 reb, 4 blk) led six Blazers in double figures as they defeated the Nuggets 108-101, denying them a spot in the semifinals.
