AJ has arrived.
The No. 1 overall pick’s record-tying NBA Summer League debut started with a bang.
5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
July 10, 2026
Dybantsa’s Statement: No. 1 pick ties Summer League scoring mark in high-octane duel with No. 2 pick Peterson
More Lottery Battles: Former Michigan teammates Lendeborg & Johnson Jr. clash, No. 5 pick Wagler debuts
Thursday Roundup: Defending Summer League champion Hornets start strong, Wolves, Hawks cruise
Creator Cup: Team Darrick dominates behind Duke Skywalka, LeeThe4th’s MVP effort
Top-4 Duel: Wilson debuts against Boozer as Bulls face Grizz tonight
BUT FIRST … ⏰
The Vegas marathon continues…
Eight more games tip off today in Las Vegas, starting with Bucks-Heat at 4 ET (Prime). Later, No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson faces No. 3 pick Cam Boozer as the Bulls meet the Grizzlies (8 ET, Prime).
1. TOP PICKS COMBINE FOR 51 AS DYBANTSA & PETERSON OPEN SUMMER LEAGUE
In high school, in college, and in their own words, June’s No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson had gotten the better of No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa head-to-head.
But Thursday night, in their first pro-level matchup, Dybantsa got one back in his electric Summer League debut.
Wizards 92, Jazz 88: Dybantsa (27 pts, 7 reb, 2 stl) wasted no time in his first game action since March’s NCAA Tournament, pouring in 11 of Washington’s 27 points in the first 10 minutes, including the dunk of the night.
Peterson answered in an electric duel, spreading a Jazz-high 24 points across 29 minutes, after logging 28 and 25-point outings in the Salt Lake City Summer League. | Recap
With under a minute to go in the 1st quarter and Washington up 10 (23-13), Dybantsa got loose downhill and took off with four Jazz players converging…
- “I turned the corner and saw a lane, and the only way I was getting that bucket was dunking,” Dybantsa said… “I had been fouled, like, two times, so the only way to finish was punching it.”
- “I haven’t played in like four months … I got bounced out of the [NCAA Tournament] first round,” said Dybantsa. “So I was just trying to get out there and just hoop.”
- “Looks like he’s comfortable. That’s not a surprise to me,” Trae Young said mid-game of Dybantsa … “We’ve got a lot of young guys that are ready to win.”
- Wizards Roll Deep: Young was joined courtside by teammates Alex Sarr, Anthony Davis, newly-acquired Khris Middleton and Deandre Ayton, and many more
Ryan Stetz/NBAE via Getty Images
Less than a minute later at the other end, Peterson beat the shot clock with a fall-away triple for his first field goal in Vegas.
Utah followed his lead.
- Face The Music: Despite trailing by as many as 20 before halftime, the Jazz – who started the summer 3-0 in Salt Lake – staged a comeback after holding the Wizards to 38 2nd-half points
- And with a minute left to play, a Peterson floater cut it to a one-point game, 86-85
- “DP’s doing his thing,” Utah’s Jaren Jackson Jr. said of Peterson … “He’s moving at his own pace, the defense [has to] do what he’s doing. I feel like that’s super rare when you’re that young… that’s impressive.”
- Not So Fast: But Wizards returner Will Riley filled that final minute with six points for Washington, putting the game away despite Peterson’s buzzer-beating heave banking in
Dybantsa had left the game with 1:22 remaining, with what he called “leg soreness, nothing crazy.” Riley (18 pts) and Tre Johnson (26 pts) helped ensure Dybantsa’s first win over Petersoan.
- “Every time I played against him, it’s a battle. He always comes out to compete,” Dybantsa said of Peterson … “I was glad to come out on top.”
- Historically Hot: Dybantsa’s 27 points tied the NBA Summer League record for most points in a debut by a No. 1 pick, matching Blake Griffin in 2009
Both young stars of tomorrow return to action Sunday, with the Wizards facing the Kings (8 ET, Prime), and the Jazz seeing the Clippers (10 ET, Prime).
Ethan Miller/NBAE via Getty Images
2. A MICHIGAN MATCHUP AND MORE LOTTERY PICK DUELS
From friendly rivals to a showdown of former teammates.
Yaxel Lendeborg led the Warriors’ summer squad into Vegas to face his former Michigan running mate, Morez Johnson Jr. and the Mavericks. | Mic’d Up Matchup
Warriors 101, Mavericks 90: Lendeborg, the No. 11 overall pick, had his best summer scoring outing with 21 points, while No. 9 overall pick Johnson’s game-high 27 points accounted for nearly a third of Dallas’ offense in the Mavs’ first Summer League action. | Recap
- Final Push: Dallas cut a 24-point deficit down to 3 (85-82) with under 4 minutes to play, but five quick points from summer returner LJ Cryer (team-high 25 pts) ignited a 16-8 Warriors closeout to clinch the W
- Multi-City Success: After averaging 15.0 ppg in two Salt Lake City circuit wins, Lendeborg (10 reb, 6 ast) hit the 20+ point mark for the first time this summer, including this soaring slam
- “Who’s that?” Johnson teased Lendeborg after he crashed the Mavs’ postgame media availability to interview his college co-star. They then shared the spotlight on SportsCenter
- Lights Out: Golden State shot 50% from 3 (10-20 3FG, 48.6 FG%), doubling-up Dallas’ 23.7 3P%. The Dubs also pulled down 20 more boards (56-36), for a 14-7 advantage in 2nd-chance points
Lendeborg and Golden State are off until Sunday, when he’ll face another Michigan teammate, OKC’s No. 12 overall pick Aday Mara (6 ET, Prime). Dallas takes on the Lakers Saturday (10 ET, ESPN).
Kings 91, Clippers 85: Sacramento’s No. 7 pick, Darius Acuff Jr. (19 pts, 7 ast, 2 stl), and 2nd-rounder Emanuel Sharp (game-high 21 pts) spoiled the summer debut of LA’s No. 5 overall pick, Keaton Wagler (7 pts), despite the Clips’ late rally. | Recap
- Charging Back: LA returners Cam Christie (team-high 15 pts, 8 reb) and Baba Miller (12 pts, 5 reb, 3 blk) helped keep the Clippers around before a 10-2 4th-quarter run, in just over 90 seconds, cut their 16-point gap to six (83-77)
- Closeout King: But Sharp scored 7 of the Kings’ final 8 points after that to seal the win
- “More than anything, we got the win, so that’s the most important thing,” Acuff Jr. said … “I’m gonna get better. I know that…”
Ethan Miller/NBAE via Getty Images
76ers 101, Pistons 93: In his Summer League debut, Philly’s No. 22 overall pick, Labaron Philon Jr., put on an offensive clinic (18 pts, game-high 7 ast, 4 3s), capped by a dagger 3 in the final minute to push the Sixers past the Pistons. | Recap
- Shake & Bake: Philon Jr., a sophomore out of Alabama, showed off his handles with this nasty combo cross and finish
- Scorching Sixers: Dante Maddox Jr. (21 pts) and Isaac Johnson (20 pts) both went 4-of-6 from 3, while sophomore Johni Broome – the 2024-25 SEC Player of the Year – added a double-double (19 pts, 13 reb)
- Pistons Pop: This year’s No. 17 pick out of Stanford, Ebuka Okorie, shined for Detroit, dropping 20 points and 4 dimes with a slew of highlight buckets
3. THURSDAY ROUNDUP: DEFENDING SUMMER CHAMPS ROLL
Wolves 105, Pelicans 92: With Zion Williamson and several active Pelicans sitting courtside, NOLA’s Kobe Bufkin (30 pts) erupted for 21 points in the 1st half. But Zyon Pullin (24 pts, 8 reb, 12 ast) and Joan Beringer (18 pts, 11 reb) were too much, as the Wolves pulled away for the win. | Recap
- Block Party: Beringer (4) and Pullin (2) combined for six swats, including this tough Beringer block above the rim that led to a Pullin bucket at the other end
- High-Flyer: Beringer, the No. 17 pick in 2025, also got up for a big-time lob off an inbound
- Behind the Lens: Pelicans vet DeAndre Jordan was also in attendance, serving as a courtside photographer
Hornets 86, Magic 74: Charlotte returners Liam McNeeley (28 pts, 7 3s) and Ryan Kalkbrenner (10 pts, 9 reb, 5 ast, 3 blk) got the Hornets’ NBA Summer League title defense started with a comeback win over Noah Penda (23 pts, 5 3s, 7 reb, 3 blk), Jase Richardson (15 pts) and Orlando. | Recap
- Hannes Was On: Charlotte’s No. 14 overall pick Hannes Steinbach made his mark off the bench, logging 15 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks in his summer debut, helping the Hornets dominate the glass, 56-37
- Hive Locks In: The Hornets held the Magic to just 31 points in the 2nd half to flip a 10-point 3rd-quarter deficit to a lead as large as 14 points in the 4th
Hawks 93, Spurs 66: After going 2-1 in Salt Lake City, Atlanta opened Vegas with a win behind seven double-digit scorers, led by sophomore Asa Newell (15 pts, 5 reb) and this year’s No. 52 pick Henri Veesaar (14 pts, 6 reb). | Recap
- Young Connector: Atlanta’s No. 8 overall pick Kingston Flemings finished with game highs in assists (8) and plus-minus (+19) – while adding this slick shake-and-score
- Spurs Shine: San Antonio’s No. 26 pick, Tarris Reed Jr. led the Spurs with a double-double (14 pts, 10 reb)
4. CREATOR CUP: THE M-V-LEE & TEAM DARRICK TROUNCE TEAM PIERE
While the Clippers and Kings ran up and down at Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas’ Pavilion hosted a collection of the basketball world’s biggest digital stars in the Playstation NBA Creator Cup.
This time, Enjoy Basketball’s Darrick Miller had the winning combination of hoops creators, outdueling his partner Pierre Andresen’s squad.
Team Darrick 90, Team Pierre 69: An 8-2 1st-level run allowed Team Darrick to separate for good (25-19), with their 6-point edge holding up through level 2. The leaders then took advantage of Turbo Mode to close level 3, ballooning their lead to 20 (79-59) on this Duke Skywalka slam.
With Team Darrick in control, level 4 shifted to a race to be the first team to 90 points, which Duke Skywalka again clinched, on a fastbreak finger roll. | Full Replay
- “M-V-Lee!”: LeeThe4th collected 14 pts and 11 reb off the bench for Team Darrick, to earned MVP honors
- “No one could guard me, for real,” Lee said. “So I just took that to my advantage. … We’re gonna run it back next year.”
- Teammate Love: Team Darrick was hyped for Lee to get the special recognition
- Winner’s Pose: Darrick’s squad took team photos with their gold ball trophies
The annual event drew excitement from both veteran and rookie creator participants, and the on-court competition reflected that energy.
- Too Hot To Hold: Team Pierre whipped around the strong ball movement on the break for a YPK Raye layup
- Special Meaning: Check Team Darrick’s BenDaDonn’s reaction when he first saw his No. 3 jersey
- What The Fans Want: YPK Raye threw down during warmups for his fans
- A Creator Cup Staple: Chris Staples showed his gratitude for playing in another NBA event
- Enthusiasm Points: Team Pierre’s Jenna Bandy was feeling the team spirit
5. FRIDAY WATCH LIST: WILSON VS. BOOZER, SEVEN MORE SHOWDOWNS
Chicago Bulls Instagram + Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images
Caleb Wilson only needed 24 games at North Carolina to leave a lasting mark.
Despite his freshman season being cut short by a fractured thumb in March, Wilson earned consensus Second-Team All-American honors, ensuring his No. 8 will hang in the rafters at the Dean E. Smith Center.
Now, he’s hoping to leave the same kind of mark in Chicago, where another former Tar Heel became a basketball legend.
- “I want to be the greatest of all time,” Wilson said after being drafted by the Bulls. “Y’all got one of the GOATs in y’all history, so it’s time for another one.”
Tonight (8 ET, Prime), Wilson makes his Summer League debut as Chicago faces Memphis – with No. 3 pick Cam Boozer leading the Grizz.
Peyton Williams (UNC)/NBAE via Getty Images
Wilson and Boozer are no strangers. The two top-four picks spent last season on opposite sides of Tobacco Road, with Wilson starring at UNC and Boozer leading rival Duke.
And like the different shades of blue they donned in college, their all-around games come in different shades, too.
- What Boozer Brings: Known for his offensive feel and strength, Boozer showcased both in Salt Lake City, averaging 16.5 points and 5.5 boards while shooting 65% and leading all big men with 4 assists per game
- What Wilson Brings: A 6-foot-10 wing, Wilson impacts the game on both ends through elite athleticism. Last season, he led UNC in points (19.8), rebounds (9.4), steals (1.5) and blocks (1.4) per game
- “I’m just a basketball player,” said Wilson at his Bulls introductory presser. “I’m going to do what it takes to win. Getting the rebound, pushing it in transition, making sure I’m a good screener … just doing what it takes.”
Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Seven more games get underway today, including a Battle of the Boroughs from the desert, as No. 6 overall pick Mikel Brown Jr. – who flashed his highlight-reel ability at the Cali Classic – leads the Nets against the defending NBA champion Knicks (6 ET, Prime).
Brayden Burries, Milwaukee’s No. 10 overall pick, is also back in action after making his debut at the Cali Classic as the Bucks open today’s slate against the Heat (4 ET, Prime).
Plus, Toronto’s Allen Graves (No. 19 pick) and Boston’s Chris Cenac Jr. (No. 27) could see their first action as the Raptors face the Celtics (9 ET, ESPN).
- Cavaliers vs. Pacers (4:30 ET, ESPN2)
- Rockets vs. Nuggets (6:30 ET, ESPN2)
- Thunder vs. Lakers (10 ET, Prime)
- Blazers vs. Suns (11 ET, ESPNU)
