The No. 9 pick made sure the 6 stayed perfect – punching Toronto’s ticket to Saturday’s semifinals.
5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
July 18, 2025
Semifinals Set: Margins made the difference in a six-way tie atop the Vegas standings
Thursday Roundup: Kam Jones pops off, Yang delivers, Pistons & Celtics get a dub
WNBA Skills & 3-Point Contest: W All-Star opens tonight in Indy with two marquee events
2025 Nike Peach Jam: The next wave of stars are showing out in South Carolina
Friday Finale: Twelve teams wrap up their Summer League circuit in Vegas today
BUT FIRST … ⏰
A Friday full of hoops…
Friday boasts a six-game slate of consolation matchups as a dozen squads conclude their Summer League circuit before Saturday’s semifinals between the Kings & Raptors (4 ET, ESPN) and Hornets & Thunder (6 ET, ESPN).
WNBA All-Star 2025 competitions tip off tonight in Indy with the Kia WNBA Skills Challenge and the WNBA STARRY® 3-Point Contest (8 ET, ESPN).
1. SEMIFINALS SET: HORNETS, RAPTORS, KINGS & THUNDER ADVANCE
One night. Eight unbeaten teams. Four Playoff spots on the line.
Thursday marked the final day of the NBA 2K26 Summer League “regular season” in Vegas — and with eight undefeated squads still in the mix, the race for Saturday’s semifinals came down to the slimmest of margins.
- Wednesday’s Unbeatens: The Wolves, Kings and Thunder wrapped up their qualifying slates on Wednesday at 4-0, but even they weren’t guaranteed a spot, with point differential and total points serving as tiebreakers
- Thursday’s Contenders: The Hornets, Spurs, Hawks, Warriors and Clippers entered the day at 3-0, hoping to join the crowd — or leapfrog it with decisive wins
Here’s how the final push played out.
Hornets 106, Spurs 81: The magic number was 21 for Charlotte – needing to win by at least that many to clinch a spot in the semifinals. The group met that margin and then some in a battle of 3-0 teams, powered by a 21-0 run late in the 1st half. | Recap
- Kon-plete Package: No. 4 overall pick Kon Knueppel showed off his all-around game (19 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast, 2 stl), featuring a rookie connection with Ryan Kalkbrenner
- Charlotte Swarm: Six different Hornets scored in double figures, led by Knueppel and KJ Simpson – who also poured in 19
Raptors 81, Warriors 69: This year’s No. 9 pick Collin Murray-Boyles was a force (20 pts, 9 reb, 4 stl), powering Toronto’s offense and anchoring a relentless defense that forced 27 turnovers while holding Golden State to just 32.8% shooting – improving the Raptors to 4-0. | Recap
Hawks 92, Grizzlies 88: Three days after defeating Houston in OT to improve to 3-0, Atlanta played with fire once more, seeing its 4th-quarter double-digit lead evaporate.
But the Hawks rallied late and Jack McVeigh’s 20 points off the bench – capped by a pair of game-clinching free throws – helped keep their unbeaten record intact. | Recap
- New Hawk, Big Impact: Atlanta’s No. 23 pick Asa Newell was everywhere with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks
- Must-See Slam: Despite the loss, Memphis’ Jahmai Mashack delivered one of the night’s top plays with a mean one-handed jam
Nuggets 81, Clippers 76: Needing a win in the nightcap to keep their Playoff hopes alive, the previously unbeaten Clippers fell just short of a 25-point rally, as DaRon Holmes II went off (19 pts, 17 reb, 5 ast), earning a win for Denver with a monster outing. | Recap
- Game Saver: With the Nuggets clinging to a 3-point lead and just 10 ticks left, E.J. Liddell came up with a massive must-see block to secure the W
Playoffs Set: With six teams – the Raptors (+15.8), Thunder (+14.8), Hornets (+12.8), Kings (+11.5), Wolves (+9.5) and Hawks (+8.0) – finishing at 4-0, the bracket came down to point differential, sending Toronto, OKC, Charlotte and Sacramento to Saturday’s semifinals.
- Semifinal 1: Kings vs. Raptors (4 ET, ESPN)
- Semifinal 2: Thunder vs. Hornets (6 ET, ESPN)
2. ROUNDUP: JONES POPS OFF, BLAZERS, PISTONS & CELTICS ROLL
Logan Riely + Ian Maule/NBAE via Getty Images
Pacers 91, Knicks 88: Indiana’s No. 38 pick Kam Jones put on an offensive clinic (21 pts, 11 ast), and the Pacers hit a series of clutch free throws in the final minute to help stave off the Knicks in an East Finals rematch. | Recap
- Golden Eagles Duel: Jones went toe-to-toe with his former Marquette teammate Tyler Kolek (14 pts, 5 ast), who shook his old co-star with a smooth stepback – but it was Jones who walked away with the win
Trail Blazers 102, Rockets 83: Four-year vet James Bouknight went 6-of-8 from 3 en route to a game-high 25 points while No. 16 pick Yang Hansen made his presence felt on both ends (8 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast, 3 blk) to secure Portland’s second straight win. | Recap
- A Reported Dame Return: The Blazers also reportedly reached a 3-year deal with Damian Lillard on Thursday, bringing him back to Portland, where he spent his first 11 NBA seasons
Pistons 108, Heat 88: Operating without summer standout Ron Holland II (21.7 ppg, 4.0 spg, 46.7 3P%), Detroit moved to 3-1 behind Daniss Jenkins’ double-double (16 pts, 10 ast) and Bobi Klintman’s 20 points – outpacing Kasparas Jakučionis (15 pts, 2 stl) and the Heat. | Recap
- Rainbow Connection: Zakai Zeigler found Garrison Brooks not once, but twice, for emphatic alley-oops less than three minutes apart
Celtics 87, Lakers 78: Bronny James shined with 18 points, 5 dimes and one silky crossover and-1 finish, but it wasn’t enough to top the Celtics, who forced 21 turnovers while Jordan Walsh led the way offensively (17 pts) | Recap
3. WNBA SKILLS COMPETITIONS OPEN ALL-STAR WEEKEND IN INDY
WNBA All-Star 2025 tips off tonight in Indianapolis (8 ET, ESPN) with some of the league’s brightest stars showcasing their game in the Kia WNBA Skills Challenge and the WNBA STARRY® 3-Point Contest.
- Center Stage: 3-Point Contest record-holder Sabrina Ionescu (Liberty) and defending Skills Challenge and 3-Point champ Allisha Gray (Dream) headline tonight’s star-studded lineup, with Caitlin Clark out due to injury
Kia WNBA Skills Challenge: Five contestants will compete in an obstacle course that tests a variety of basketball skills – dribbling, passing (bounce pass, chest pass and outlet pass) and shooting (elbow jumpers and 3s).
- Format: The two players with the fastest times in the First Round will advance to the Final Round, where they’ll go head-to-head for the title
- Participants: Gray is joined by Natasha Cloud (Liberty), Skylar Diggins and Erica Wheeler (Storm) and Courtney Williams (Lynx)
WNBA STARRY® 3-Point Contest: After taking home both the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest hardware in 2024, Gray will look to defend her title beyond the arc against Ionescu – who set the 3-Point event record in 2023 – Sonia Citron (Mystics), Kelsey Plum (Sparks) and Lexie Hull (Fever), who was named as a replacement for the injured Clark.
- Format: The shooters will compete in a two-round, timed competition with ball racks positioned at five main shooting locations around the arc. The two players with the highest scores in the First Round will advance to a winner-take-all Final Round
- Scoring: Four of the racks contain four official WNBA game balls worth one point each and one “money” ball worth two. The fifth rack will be a special “all money ball” rack at the preferred location of each shooter
- In addition, two ball pedestals will be positioned at deep shot locations called “The Starry Range.” Each pedestal holds one special ball known as the “Starry” ball worth three points
What’s Ahead: On Saturday, the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game tips off as Team Clark takes on Team Collier (8:30 ET, ABC).
4. 2025 NIKE PEACH JAM: THE NEXT GENERATION OF HOOPERS
The 2025 Nike Peach Jam – featuring some of the best high school hoopers in the country – is heating up in North Augusta, S.C.
The annual tournament marks the final stop of Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) summer tour and has showcased endless NBA talent, with notable alumni including Jayson Tatum, Julius Randle, Trae Young, De’Aaron Fox and Jalen Green.
Two summers ago, Cooper Flagg turned heads with a dominant showing at Peach Jam, cementing his status as one of the top prospects in the country.
Now, a new wave of talent is looking to do the same. Below are three players to watch:
Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images
Tyran Stokes (Oakland Soldiers): The top-ranked player in the Class of 2026, the bruising 6-foot-7 forward averaged a double-double in last year’s Peach Jam (21.8 pts, 10.0 reb) and will look to lead the Oakland Soldiers on a revenge tour after losing in the 2024 finals.
Jaxon Richardson (Florida Rebels): The son of two-time Dunk Contest champion Jason Richardson and younger brother of Jase – selected No. 25 overall by the Magic in this year’s Draft – Jaxon is a dynamic slasher with serious bounce.
Tajh Ariza (Team WhyNot): Another son of a former NBA standout — Trevor Ariza — Tajh brings size and versatility to the wing at 6-foot-9. The USC commit is a lockdown defender and smooth in transition, leading a loaded WhyNot squad eyeing a deep run.
How To Watch: Peach Jam has been streaming for fans on the NBA App, NBA.com, NBA TV and NBA YouTube since Wednesday.
- Bucket-Getters Battle: Arkansas commit JaShawn Andrews (24 pts, 10 reb) and highly touted recruit Jason Crowe Jr. (36 pts, 5 ast) went blow-for-blow in a showcase of elite scorers
- Arizona Elevation: Watch AZ Unity’s Aliou Dioum climb the ladder for a huge block off the glass, before Brandon McCoy Jr. rocks the rim
- Stokes Soaring: See Tyran Stokes take flight from the baseline to hammer home a two-handed lob
The Peach Jam Playoffs will begin on Saturday at 9 a.m. ET, culminating with the championship on Sunday – all on the NBA App, NBA.com, NBA TV and NBA YouTube.
5. FRIDAY IN VEGAS: FINAL RUNS IN THE DESERT
Twelve teams wrap up their Summer League circuit today in Vegas, with one last chance for rising rookies and young standouts to leave a lasting impression.
76ers vs. Nets (6 ET, NBA TV): After dropping 22 points and 13 boards in a win over the Mavs on Wednesday, No. 35 pick Johni Broome will look to lead the Sixers to their third straight dub as they face the Nets.
- Broome Boom: The reigning SEC Player of the Year, Broome has strung together back-to-back double-doubles, averaging 13.5 points and 7.8 boards while hitting 45.5% from deep
- VJ Versatility: Philly’s No. 3 pick VJ Edgecombe has also impressed this summer – most recently stuffing the stat sheet in Tuesday’s win over the Wizards (15 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl)
- Egor Efficiency: The Nets’ No. 8 pick Egor Dëmin has also flashed his versatility, averaging 11.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 43.5% from 3
Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images
Jazz vs. Bulls (8 ET, NBA TV): On Wednesday, Bulls guard Jahmir Young dropped just the eighth-ever 40-piece in Vegas Summer League history. Tonight, he’ll face the circuit’s leading scorer in Kyle Filipowski as Chicago takes on Utah.
- Young Buckets: After going undrafted, Young made the G League All-Rookie Team last season, averaging 21.5 ppg
- On Wednesday, he put his full scoring arsenal on display, going 7-of-8 from deep along with some tough driving buckets
- Flip Fire: On the other side, Filipowski has been dominant for Utah, posting 29.3 ppg on 56.1% shooting while hauling in 7.7 boards
- Collier Cooking: Fellow Jazz sophomore Isaiah Collier has also shined, ranking second in assists among all Vegas players (7.0 apg) while adding 13.5 ppg
Four more games take place Friday, making for eight hours of nonstop hoops.
- Mavericks vs. Magic (4 ET, NBA TV)
- Heat vs. Bucks (7 ET, ESPN+/ESPN3)
- Pacers vs. Pelicans (9 ET, ESPN)
- Nuggets vs. Lakers (10 ET, NBA TV)
