VJ gets vertical in his Vegas debut.
5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
July 16, 2025
Tuesday’s Unbeatens: A pair of 2024 first-rounders go off, while OKC strikes again
Tuesday Roundup: VJ debuts in Sixers win; Warriors, Knicks & Blazers get dubs
Rookie Photoshoot: A first look at the 2025 Draft class in their new official threads
Wednesday Watch List: Three squads eye 4-0 with all four semifinal spots still up for grabs
Primetime Prospects: Edgecombe back in action, Ace vs. Tre & more must-see matchups
BUT FIRST … ⏰
Day 7 in Vegas…
Wednesday delivers another seven-game slate at NBA 2K26 Summer League, capped by a potential clash between the No. 5 and No. 6 picks as Ace Bailey & the Jazz face Tre Johnson & the Wizards (10 ET, ESPN).
The 2025 Nike EYBL Peach Jam – featuring some of the top high school talent in the country – tips off today (12:30 ET) in North Augusta, S.C., with all the action exclusively on the NBA App, NBA TV & NBA YouTube.
WNBA All-Star Participants: Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu and Allisha Gray headline the participants in the Kia Skills Challenge and the Starry 3-Point Contest (Friday, 8 ET, ESPN). Clark will make her 3-point contest debut, while Gray will defend the title in both events.
1. TUESDAY’S UNBEATENS: RAPTORS, WOLVES & THUNDER MOVE TO 3-0
Halfway through the NBA 2K26 Summer League in Vegas, nine teams remained unbeaten.
Four of those squads took the floor Tuesday, all likely needing wins to stay in the Playoff hunt.
And with the summer stakes rising, a pair of 2024 first-rounders delivered – while the defending champs did what they do best.
Raptors 101, Nuggets 97: In a masterful two-way performance, Toronto’s 2024 No. 19 pick Ja’Kobe Walter dropped 26 points on 8-of-16 shooting while tallying seven – yes, seven – steals, as the Raptors improved to 3-0. | Recap
- Game-Changer: Trailing in the 3rd quarter, the Raptors rattled off a 19-0 run to flip the game – then got an extra boost as Jamison Battle beat the buzzer to send them into the 4th up 11
- Rim To Rim: 6-foot-11 sophomore Ulrich Chomche added to Toronto’s highlight reel, elevating for a big block before running the floor and finding Collin Murray-Boyles (10 pts, 3 ast) with a nifty wraparound dime
- Denver Spotlight: Curtis Jones led the Nuggets with 20 points, while DaRon Holmes II added a double-double (10 pts, 11 reb)
Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images
Wolves 89, Pistons 73: In his third straight 20-piece, Terrence Shannon Jr. took over (24 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl) while Leonard Miller added 20 points and 8 boards to power the Wolves past the Pistons, pushing Minnesota to 3-0. | Recap
- First-Round Connection: Minnesota’s No. 8 pick from 2024, Rob Dillingham, added 16 points and 4 dimes, including this big-time oopto this year’s No. 17 pick Joan Beringer
- Motor City Engine: Ron Holland II shined for Detroit (22 pts, 6 reb, 6 stl), which fell to 2-1 with the loss
Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images
Thunder 92, Magic 75: Winning on both ends is nothing new for OKC, and Tuesday was no different for the 2025 NBA champs.
The Thunder’s defense held Orlando to just 32.2% from the field, while sophomores Ajay Mitchell (27 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl) and Brenden Carlson (23 pts, 7 reb, 2 blk) showed off their all-around games and Nikola Topić added a game-high 6 dimes, improving OKC to 3-0. | Recap
2. ROUNDUP: VJ DEBUTS IN SIXERS WIN; WARRIORS, KNICKS, BLAZERS GET Ws
Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images
No. 3 pick VJ Edgecombe dazzled (28 pts, 10 reb, 4 ast, 2 blk) in his Summer League debut in Salt Lake City on July 5.
But a thumb injury kept him sidelined for Philly’s final two games in SLC and the first two games in Las Vegas.
He was cleared to play on Tuesday night, and once again, made a strong impression.
Sixers 74, Wizards 58: Behind a combined 32 points from Justin Edwards (17 pts, 8 reb, 5 3pm) and Edgecombe (15 pts, 6 reb 4 ast, 3 stl), the Sixers defeated the Wizards for their first win in Las Vegas. | Recap
- Tale Of Two Halves: After going scoreless (0-for-7) in the 1st half, Edgecombe got rolling in the 2nd half, scoring all 15 of his points on 4-of-7 shooting, including this defense-to-offense sequence that VJ capped with an alley-oop dunk
- Double-Double: Johni Broome – Philly’s second-round pick out of Auburn – put up 14 points and 10 boards in the win while getting praise from his college coach, Bruce Pearl, on the broadcast
Warriors 96, Grizzlies 84: Both teams overcame 10+ point deficits before Golden State made the decisive run in the 4th quarter. After Memphis took a one-point lead with seven minutes left, the Warriors closed with a 25-12 burst to improve to 2-1 in Vegas. | Recap
- Dubs Trio: Jackson Rowe (14 pts, 6 reb, 2 stl, 2 blk) paced the Warriors, while Will Richard and Jaden Shackelford each added 12 points and two 3s in the win
- Grizz Duo: Cam Spencer (game-high 23 pts) and Jaylen Wells (11 pts) each hit three 3s and connected on this crosscourt dime from Wells to Cam for a triple
Knicks 97, Nets 93: Tyler Kolek splashed five 3s on his way to 20 points in the 1st half, as he and MarJon Beauchamp each finished with 25 apiece to power the Knicks past Drew Timme (24 pts, 10 reb) and the Nets for their first win. | Recap
Blazers 93, Pelicans 87: Portland got a combined 44 points from Rayan Rupert (24 pts, 4 3pm) and D.J. Carton (20 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast) and another strong showing from rookie Yang Hansen (15 pts, 2 blk, 3 3pm) to defeat the Pelicans and improve to 2-1 in Vegas. | Recap
- NOLA Standouts: First-round picks Derik Queen (17 pts, 10 reb) and Jeremiah Fears (14 pts, 2 stl) combined for 31 points, while Antonio Reeves led the Pelicans with 18 points
3. ROOKIE PHOTO SHOOT: OUR FAVORITE FRAMES FROM DAY 1
Welcome to picture day! Get an all-access look as the 2025 NBA Draft class donned their new threads for Day 1 of the Rookie Photo Shoot from Las Vegas.
Mavs: Cooper Flagg (1st overall) / Harry How/NBAE via Getty Images
Spurs: Dylan Harper (2nd) & Carter Bryant (14th) / Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
Hornets: Kon Knueppel (4th) & Liam McNeeley (29th) / Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
Jazz: Ace Bailey (5th) & Walter Clayton Jr. (18th) / Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
Florida Squads: Jase Richardson (Magic, 25th) & Kasparas JakuÄŤionis (Heat, 20th) / Brian Babineau & Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images
From The East: Asa Newell (Hawks, 23rd) & Noa Essengue (Bulls, 12th) / Zach Barron/NBAE via Getty Images
To The West: Khaman Maluach (Suns, 10th) & Nique Clifford (Kings, 24th) / Harry How/Getty Images
Duke Teammates: Khaman Maluach (Suns), Tyrese Proctor (Cavs) and Cooper Flagg (Mavs) / Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
4. WEDNESDAY WATCH LIST: THREE 3-0 SQUADS IN ACTION TODAY
David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images
Four Playoff spots. Eight unbeaten teams. One big finish ahead.
With all four tickets to Saturday’s single-elimination semifinals still up for grabs, the pressure is on as teams get set for their fourth and final “regular season” game.
And with head-to-head results, point differential and total points as the three first tiebreakers – every bucket counts.
Kings vs. Cavaliers (3:30 ET, ESPN2): Sacramento will open Wednesday looking to become the first team to secure a 4-0 record, while Cleveland aims to extend its win streak to three.
- Kings Cooking: This year’s No. 24 pick Nique Clifford (70.0 3P%) and 2024 Lottery pick Devin Carter (50.0 3P%) have powered Sac’s hot start, each averaging 18.3 ppg and lighting it up from deep
- Tyson Takes Over: The Cavs’ 2024 first-rounder Jaylon Tyson (19.7 ppg, 6.7 apg) has impressed as a dual-threat playmaker – as he’s one of three players averaging 15+ points and 6+ assists
Suns vs. Wolves (5 ET, NBA TV): Next up, standout sophomores Terrence Shannon Jr. and Rob Dillingham are back in action after leading Minnesota to a win on Tuesday — with the Wolves eyeing a 4-0 start.
- Howling Wolves: Shannon Jr.’s versatility has shined this summer (22.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.7 spg), while Dillingham’s dynamic shot creation (15.3 ppg, 6.3 apg) has provided an instant jolt for Minnesota
- Lottery Look: Suns big man Khaman Maluach, the No. 10 pick, has flashed his inside potential — averaging 11.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in Vegas
Pelicans vs. Thunder (9:30 ET, ESPN+/NBA TV): Led by second-year guards Ajay Mitchell (20.0 ppg) and Nikola Topić (12.3 ppg, 7.3 apg), OKC looks to improve to 4-0 as it takes on Jeremiah Fears and a Pelicans squad stacked with young talent.
- Rookie Duo: This year’s No. 7 pick, Fears has been in attack mode in Vegas, posting 14.3 ppg, while fellow lottery pick Deriq Queen (No. 13) is averaging a double-double (14.0 ppg, 11.0 rpg)
- OKC Identity: After leading the NBA in defense last season, the Thunder have allowed just 80.3 ppg through three outings in Vegas
5. MORE WEDNESDAY MATCHUPS: SUMMER STARS ON DECK
Bucks vs. Bulls (5:30 ET, ESPN2): 2024-25 Second Team All-Rookie Matas Buzelis put on a show in Monday’s win over the Pacers (28 pts, 8-14 fg, 5 reb). Tonight, he’s back for an encore as Chicago takes on Milwaukee.
- Young Bulls Balling: Buzelis ranks sixth in scoring (22.5 ppg) and combined with No. 12 pick Noa Essengue for 49 points Monday
- Bucks Spotlight: Three-year vet Chris Livingston has looked sharp for Milwaukee, coming off back-to-back 21-point outings
Magic vs. Nets (7:30 ET, ESPN+/NBA TV): After a 24-point, 10-rebound double-double on Tuesday, Drew Timme will look to stay hot as he leads the Nets against the Magic – with both teams seeking their first win.
- Brooklyn Big Balling: Averaging 25.3 ppg, Timme ranks second in scoring among all players in Vegas while shooting 55.4% and hauling in 8.0 rpg
Mavericks vs. 76ers (8 ET, ESPN): After missing Philly’s first two games in Vegas, this year’s No. 3 overall pick, VJ Edgecombe, was all over the court (15 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl) in Tuesday’s win. Tonight, he’ll look to take over again when the Sixers face the Mavs.
- Summer Splash: Edgecombe is averaging 21.5 ppg across his two Summer League games in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, and has added 4 steals and 3 blocks on the defensive end
- The Nembhard Name: In Dallas’ first outing without Cooper Flagg, it was Ryan Nembhard – younger brother of the Pacers’ Andrew Nembhard – who led the way with 11 points and eight assists
Ethan Miller & Melissa Majchrza/NBAE via Getty Images
Wizards vs. Jazz (10 ET, ESPN): A sea of young talent floods the hardwood for this meeting, which could feature as many as nine different former first-round picks in addition to this summer’s leading scorer.
- Bucket-Getters: It starts with a potential matchup between Utah’s No. 5 pick Ace Bailey and Washington’s No. 6 pick Tre Johnson – two pure scorers who are lethal from anywhere on the floor
- Flip Feelin’ It: Second-year big Kyle Filipowski is posting a Vegas-best 29.3 ppg for Utah, nearly doubling his production from last summer (16.4)
- Block Party: Alex Sarr has excelled as a shotblocker in Vegas. He’s averaging 5.5 rejections in two games, including a Summer League single-game record eight blocks on Sunday
