The handle. The hammer – and the Hornets heating up.
The desert’s buzzing as Charlotte faces Sacramento in tonight’s NBA 2K26 Summer League final in Vegas (10 ET, ESPN).
5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
July 20, 2025
Semifinal Saturday: Isaac Jones erupts for Sacramento, while Charlotte shows out
Championship Sunday: Two 5-0 squads, two standout rooks, one game to decide the title
Summer Sendoff: Ten squads finished their summer circuit on a jam-packed Saturday
WNBA ASG History: Napheesa Collier goes off for a record 36 points in the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game
Peach Jam Finals: Four champs will be crowned today in one of high school hoops’ premier events
BUT FIRST … ⏰
For all the marbles…
The NBA 2K26 Summer League culminates tonight in Vegas with a winner-take-all championship game between the Kings and Hornets (10 ET, ESPN), along with a pair of consolation matchups.
1. SEMIFINAL SATURDAY: KINGS, HORNETS ADVANCE TO SUMMER LEAGUE FINAL
In April, undrafted rookie Isaac Jones helped lead the Stockton Kings to the 2025 G League title.
Three months later, the rising sophomore showed out to punch Sacramento’s ticket to the NBA 2K26 Summer League championship.
Kings 98, Raptors 88: In a sensational showing, Jones erupted for 36 points on 13-of-17 shooting, as the Kings staved off a late push from Jamal Shead (24 pts, 12 ast) and the Raptors to take Saturday’s first win-or-go-home semifinal. | Recap
- Closing Time: After seeing Sacramento’s 22-point cushion cut to one with 3:15 left, Jones – a 2025 All-NBA G League Third-Teamer – took over with a solo 7-0 spurt to restore control, icing a wire-to-wire win
- “It’s crazy,” said Jones on playing for the Summer League title. “We got a G League one, so we definitely need this one.”
- Sac-Town Scorers: Mason Jones (17 pts) and Maxime Raynaud (12 pts, 7 reb) joined Jones in double figures, while Devin Carter dished out 6 dimes
Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images
In Saturday’s second semifinal between unbeatens, it wasn’t one hero but a hive – as a swarm of Hornets buzzed their way past OKC.
Hornets 109, Thunder 80: Jaylen Sims led the way with 25 points, No. 4 pick Kon Knueppel added 17 along with 3 assists and 2 steals, and three other Hornets scored in double figures as Charlotte raced past OKC to reach Sunday’s championship. | Recap
- Summer Splash: An undrafted second-year guard, Sims caught fire early and never cooled down – going 4-of-6 from deep and 10-of-14 from the floor
- Baugh Ballin’: Fellow sophomore Damion Baugh posted a near triple-double (10 pts, 9 reb, 9 ast), highlighted by a filthy behind-the-back dribble and dime to set up a PJ Hall jam (12 pts, 8 reb)
- “We came to Summer League to compete and stay together,” said Sims postgame. “And that’s what we’ve been doing. We’ve been having fun … playing together, playing unselfish – and it’s been showing.”
2. CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY: ONE GAME FOR THE VEGAS SUMMER LEAGUE TITLE
The NBA 2K26 Summer League title comes down to two unbeaten teams – Sacramento, chasing an unprecedented third championship in Vegas, and Charlotte, hunting its first.
Tonight, the two squads – each led by standout 2025 first-round Draft picks – square off in a winner-take-all showdown for the crown.
Kings vs. Hornets (10 ET, ESPN): Powered by No. 4 pick Kon Knueppel, Charlotte is pouring in 101.8 ppg – the second-most among all 30 teams.
On the other side, Sacramento is shooting a Vegas-best 50.2% from the field, with marksman and No. 24 pick Nique Clifford leading the charge.
- Knueppel Cooking: After scoring 5 points in his Summer League debut, the former Duke star has turned up, averaging 17.3 pts, 6.0 reb and 4.3 ast in his last three games
- Diaed In: A knockdown 3-point shooter, Knueppel has shot 42.1% from deep in that span and 48.6% from the field
- Floor General: He’s also flashed his ability to dissect defenses as a pick-and-roll handler, including this crafty dish to fellow rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner on Saturday ⬇️
Catching Fire: While Knueppel’s been hot from deep, Clifford’s been scorching – shooting 50.0% from downtown en route to 16.2 ppg, while adding 6.2 boards.
- Kings’ Core: Clifford’s not the only hot hand fueling Sacramento’s attack, with Isaac Jones averaging 17.2 ppg on 66.7% shooting – fresh off his 36-point outburst
- Two-Way Trouble: Meanwhile, Devin Carter – Sacramento’s No. 13 overall pick in 2024 – has showcased his all-around game (14.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.4 spg)
Now, with the NBA 2K26 Summer League title on the line, the two high-powered offenses will go toe-to-toe – looking to leave Vegas on top.
- Hornets’ Mindset: “We’re really trying to build a winning culture with the Hornets,” said Jaylen Sims yesterday on a potential Summer League title. “So it would mean a lot to us.”
- Kings’ Perspective: “It just shows how hard we play,” said Jones on Sacramento moving a game shy of the title. “How much work we put in and how bad we want it.”
Sunday delivers two more consolation games – wrapping up the Summer League circuit for all 30 teams.
- Hawks vs. Celtics (6 ET, ESPNU)
- Grizzlies vs. Clippers (8 ET, ESPNU)
3. SUMMER SENDOFF: 10 SQUADS CLOSE THEIR VEGAS CIRCUIT
Wizards 94, Knicks 85: Jamir Watkins was a force on both ends (23 pts, 8 reb, 6 stl, 4 3s), while Dillon Jones added a double-double (25 pts, 11 reb) to rally the Wizards past the Knicks in a game that saw 15 ties and 18 lead changes. | Recap
- Summer Close: Anton Watson (21 pts, 5 3s) and Dink Pate (20 pts, 10 reb, 1 must-see windmill) led the Knicks, who finished Vegas at 1-4, while the Wizards improved to 2-3
Rockets 104, Wolves 101: With the score tied at 100 and 32 ticks left, Houston’s Adonis Arms delivered, picking off a pass and going coast-to-coast for the game-deciding bucket to secure the Rockets’ first dub in the desert. | Recap
- Balanced Boost: Arms (18 pts), Kevon Harris (18 pts, 6 ast) and Kennedy Chandler (20 pts, 6 ast) led six Rockets with 9+ points, overcoming an offensive clinic by Minnesota’s Tristen Newton (24 pts, 10 ast, 6 3s)
Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images
Spurs 96, Pistons 84: All quarters except one were decided by one point or less, and it was that 34-23 second frame which pushed San Antonio past the finish line. The group picked up its fourth and final triumph in Vegas – once again behind David Jones-Garcia. | Recap
- Making His Mark: The sophomore forward (23 pts, 6 reb, 4-6 3pt) punctuated his strong showing on the strip with averages of 21.6 ppg and 52.9% from 3
Suns 111, Blazers 87: Phoenix’s backcourt of Khalif Battle (21 pts, 5 ast) and Boogie Ellis (19 pts, 6 ast) combined for 40 points and 11 dimes, sparking a 22-0 Suns run in the 2nd quarter to break the game open – capping their Vegas circuit with a win. | Recap
Warriors 82, Cavaliers 71: Undrafted guard Chris Manon scored in double figures for the fourth straight game with a team-high 17 points, along with 4 steals and 2 blocks, as the Warriors pulled away from the Cavs to finish Vegas at 3-2. | Recap
4. WNBA ALL-STAR GAME: NAPHEESA COLLIER MAKES HISTORY
Before she even set foot in Indiana, Napheesa Collier had her eye on history.
An all-time season has been in the making. The Minnesota Lynx forward – now a five-time All-Star – is averaging a league-best 23.2 ppg while shooting over 50% from the field.
That career-best pace has thrust her into the MVP conversation. Saturday, she showed why.
Team Collier 151, Team Clark 131: Picking up new hardware, Collier was named MVP of the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, crowning her 36-point, 9-rebound clinic. She led the charge as her squad pulled away in the opening quarter and never looked back.
- MVPhee: The captain’s scoring spree on a 13-for-16 clip marked the most points ever in the game’s history, topping Arike Ogunbowale’s record of 34 set last year
- Spreading The Wealth: Playing without Caitlin Clark (groin), Team Clark tallied eight double-digit scorers, headlined by Kelsey Mitchell (20 pts) and Kiki Iriafen (17 pts, 10 reb)
On a record-breaking night, Collier also had company in the form of Skylar Diggins, who was eliminated in the First Round of Friday’s Kia Skills Challenge.
“I knew I wanted to leave here with something,” said the Seattle Storm guard postgame – and she did.
- More Records: Diggins registered the first-ever triple-double (11 pts, 15 ast, 11 reb) in WNBA All-Star Game history – all accomplished while coming off the bench
- Frame It: The 10-year veteran also broke the single-game assists record on the very play that secured Collier’s piece of history
For the first time since 2022, the 4-point shot was in play. Attempts from two AT&T logos on each end – six feet behind the 3-point line – counted for four if successful.
- Let ‘Em Fly: Team Collier took advantage of the new scoring spots, led by their namesake
- Newcomers: The first and last shots of the contest were both 4-pointers, and came off the hands of rookies Paige Bueckers and Iriafen, respectively
5. HS CIRCUIT: NIKE PEACH JAM FINALS; NIKE NATIONALS HEATING UP
The 2025 Nike Peach Jam Playoffs are underway in Augusta, S.C., where the next generation of stars are shining on one of the biggest stages in high school basketball.
Saturday’s quarterfinals and semifinals delivered a surplus of highlights, and fans were able to catch all the action on the NBA App, NBA.com and NBA YouTube – with select games on NBA TV.
- WhyNot?! With Tajh Ariza – the son of Trevor Ariza – leading the charge, Team WhyNot pulls off a thrilling 19-point rally to advance to the semifinals
- Clear For Takeoff: Team Durant’s Evans Barning Jr. takes flight for a mammoth poster
- Finishing Touch: Jasiah Jervis seals a win for the NY Rens with a slick behind-the-back dish
- Golden Touch: Marquette commit Sheek Pearson somehow got this circus shot to drop – securing a dub for Brad Beal Elite
Four championship games take place today on NBA TV, starting at 9 a.m. ET, with additional streaming on the NBA App and NBA.com.
- 16U Finals (9 a.m. ET, NBA TV): Indy Heat vs. Florida Rebels
- 17U Finals (10:30 a.m. ET, NBA TV): NY Rens vs. Brad Beal Elite
- 15U Finals (12 ET, NBA TV): Georgia Stars vs. Team Takeover
- PIT Finals (2 ET, NBA TV): NY Lightning vs. City Rocks Hope
Via thetoc.org
On the girls’ circuit, the Tournament of Champions and Nike Nationals are heating up in Chicago, where some of the top female high school hoopers are putting on a show.
- Saturday Standout: Highly touted recruit Sydney Savoury dropped 24 points on five 3s while adding 10 boards for Michigan Crossover as they battled the Cal Stars
- Can’t Miss: Averie Lower was also scorching from downtown, going 5-for-5 from beyond the arc, including some deep catch-and-shoot triples
- In Her Bag: Meanwhile, Autumn Fleary showed off her handle, weaving through traffic before finishing a tough scoop layup
