Ace elevation – and an instant classic in Salt Lake City.

5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀

July 8, 2025

Salt Lake City Shine: Sensabaugh & Bailey power Utah to wild win, Topić & Mitchell fuel OKC

Cali Finale: Four teams all stand at 1-1 entering the final night of the Cali Classic

SLC Close: The Salt Lake circuit also wraps up tonight with two marquee matchups

Meet The Creators: Introducing Team T Jass ahead of Wednesday’s NBA Creator Cup in Vegas

Monday Moves: A 3-team trade, a reported Paolo extension and more from around the NBA

BUT FIRST … ⏰

A statement from the NBA Family…

The NBA Family is heartbroken by the loss of life and the devastation caused by the flooding across the Texas Hill Country. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy and we extend our deepest gratitude to the heroic first responders and volunteers.

Amid so much sorrow, we are inspired by the strength of the Texas community as it comes together during this incredibly difficult time. In that spirit, the NBA, NBPA, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs are joining together to provide more than $2 million to support immediate and long-term relief to those most impacted.

1. UTAH RALLIES FOR WILD WIN, OKC’S DEFENSE STRIKES IN SALT LAKE

Jazz 112, Grizzlies 111: In a summer classic, Brice Sensabaugh (37 pts, 6 3s, 2 stl) and Ace Bailey (18 pts, 7-14 fg, 7 reb) willed Utah back from 17 points down, including a 20-5 run to take the lead, before escaping at the buzzer for a thrilling win in front of its home fans. | Recap

• Epic Finish: Sensabaugh’s 37 points set the Salt Lake City Summer League single-game scoring record, capped by a pair of clutch free throws to put Utah up three with five seconds left
• GG Jackson then banked in what appeared to be a game-tying 3 at the buzzer, but his toe was ruled on the line after review – giving Utah the win

• Bailey Buckets: In a game brimming with highlights, Bailey showed why he was this year’s No. 5 overall pick, displaying his elite touch with this one-legged fadeaway before hammering home a huge two-handed lob
• “It was epic,” said Bailey on earning the win in front of the Utah faithful. “From MVP chants for Brice to being loud at the free-throw line – I loved it.”
• More Must-See Plays: Memphis’ Zyon Pullin added to the highlight reel with this half-court buzzer-beater to close the 2nd quarter, followed by Utah’s Kyle Filipowski (11 pts, 13 reb) throwing down a poster jam in the 3rd

Thunder 89, 76ers 78: OKC’s historic defense powered its 2025 NBA title run, and that identity showed up again on Monday, forcing 21 turnovers while five players scored in double figures to top the Sixers. | Recap

• Ajay Attack: Ajay Mitchell led the way offensively with 16 points and five dimes while adding one steal and two blocks
• Two-Way Topić: Nikola Topić, OKC’s 12th overall pick in 2024, also showed off his versatility (11 pts, 3 reb, 5 ast, 3 stl), highlighted by this steal and coast-to-coast lob followed by a slick and-1
• Sixer Shine: Judah Mintz led the way for Philly with a game-high 21 points, including a shifty step-back triple, while Jalen Hood-Schifino added 17 on 6-of-10 shooting

2. CALI CLASSIC: TUESDAY FINALE IN THE BAY

Thearon W. Henderson/NBAE via Getty Images

The seventh annual California Classic closes tonight at the Chase Center with all four teams – the Heat, Warriors, Lakers and Spurs – holding a 1-1 record.

Heat vs. Warriors (7 ET, ESPN+/ESPN3): After a back-and-forth battle with the Spurs on Sunday, LJ Cryer and the Warriors will open tonight’s finale in the Bay against Kel’el Ware and the Heat.

• Making His Mark: One day after a 2-for-3, eight-point debut off the bench, Cryer – an undrafted guard out of Houston – got the start on Sunday and went off with five 3s and 19 points in under 23 minutes
• Heating Up: On the other side, Ware has anchored Miami on both ends (13.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.0 spg, 2.0 bpg), while guard Bryson Warren is coming off an 18-point outing in Sunday’s loss to the Lakers

Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

Lakers vs. Spurs (10 ET, ESPN): To close the Cali Classic, Cole Swider, Bronny James and the Lakers will take on David Jones-Garcia and the Spurs, with both sides eyeing their second straight win.

• Bronny’s Debut: In his first 2025 Summer League action, Bronny flashed his two-way potential with 10 points, two 3s and one steal leading to a big-time slam
• Hot Hand: Swider, a 26-year-old forward, leads all scorers at the Cali Classic with 22.0 ppg – shooting an identical 7-for-10 in each of L.A.’s first two outings
• Spurs Standout: Jones-Garcia – a 23-year-old forward who spent last season in the G League – ranks second in scoring (21.5 ppg) after dropping 25 in Sunday’s win over Golden State

3. SLC SUMMER LEAGUE CLOSES TONIGHT WITH DOUBLEHEADER

Thearon W. Henderson/NBAE via Getty Images

The Salt Lake City Summer League also wraps up tonight with a doubleheader – with the Jazz leading the pack at 2-0, followed by the Grizzlies (1-1), Thunder (1-1) and Sixers (0-2).

Grizzlies vs. 76ers (7 ET, NBA TV): Despite Memphis’ loss at the buzzer on Monday, GG Jackson (27), Jaylen Wells (23) and Cam Spencer (23) shined, combining for 73 points. Tonight, they’ll look to end their trip to Salt Lake with a win against Judah Mintz and the Sixers.

• Roaring From Deep: Memphis shot 16-of-40 from 3 on Monday (40.0%), led by Spencer, who went a ridiculous 7-of-10 from downtown
• Shining Sixer: Mintz has also been cooking for Philly, posting 16.0 ppg on 60% shooting

Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

Thunder vs. Jazz (9 ET, NBA TV): After a standout performance on Monday, Ace Bailey will lead the Jazz against Nikola Topić and the Thunder, concluding the Salt Lake City circuit with a marquee matchup.

• Finding A Rhythm: Bailey wasn’t the only Jazz Lottery pick who looked sharp last night, as Cody Williams – the 10th overall pick in 2024 – added 18 points after tallying 14 on Saturday
• OKC Spotlight: Topić, selected two picks after Williams, has also produced after missing all of last season with an ACL injury, averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals in his first two games

Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images

Next Stop – Vegas: The NBA 2K26 Summer League tips off Thursday in Las Vegas, where this year’s No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg is slated to make his debut as the Mavs face the Lakers (8 ET, ESPN) – highlighting a seven-game opening day slate.

• Pelicans vs. Timberwolves (3:30 ET, ESPN2)
• Cavaliers vs. Pacers (5 ET, NBA TV)
• Thunder vs. Nets (5:30 ET, ESPN2)
• Magic vs. Kings (7:30 ET, NBA TV)
• Lakers vs. Mavericks (8 ET, ESPN)
• Nuggets vs. Bucks (9:30 ET, NBA TV)
• Spurs vs. 76ers (10 ET, ESPN)

4. NBA CREATOR CUP COMING WEDNESDAY: MEET THE LINEUP

The fourth edition of the PlayStation NBA Creator Cup returns to Vegas Wednesday night (10 ET, YouTube/NBA App), bringing another can’t-miss clash of basketball and digital culture – with tickets on sale now.

With a combined social following north of 150 million, this year’s Creator Cup roster features some of the most influential names in hoops and gaming content.

Mark Phillips and Tristan Jass, two of the biggest names in the creator space, are set to coach the two squads. Today, we’re introducing Team T Jass — with Team Mark coming tomorrow:

YPK Raye: A dynamic athlete and personality, YPK blends basketball highlights with viral skits and off-court charisma. He’s also active in Las Vegas streetball leagues, showcasing his handle and bounce.

Cam Wilder: With over 10 million followers, Wilder brings a unique blend of energy, skill and humor, while also chronicling his journey as the coach of his AAU team, Rod Wave Elite.

Jenna Bandy: A former All-Conference guard for California State University Monterey Bay, Bandy is a hoops creator known for her trick shots. She also won the $100,000 basketball knockout competition organized by House of Highlights in 2021, competing against male creators and athletes.

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Kris London: At 6-foot-10, London played college ball at Oral Roberts and Newman University and is now one of YouTube’s most recognizable faces in the sports and gaming community.

Pika: As a content creator of Indo-Fijian descent, Pika brings a unique cultural perspective to the digital space. Her work not only entertains but also fosters a sense of community among fans who share her passion for basketball and gaming.

Meka: After playing college hoops at North Country in Saranac Lake, NY, Emeka Uzomba, aka “Meka,” has amassed more than 1 million followers on social with a unique blend of comedy and basketball skills.

Bjorn Broman: A former D1 player at Winthrop, Bjorn uses his talent and experience to create IRL basketball content that includes 1v1, 5v5 and relatable comedic skits for athletes.

CC: The all-time leading scorer at Peking University, leading them to the 2015 National Championship in China. CC is also one of the founding members of the heavily influential CL streetball team.

5. NBA OFFSEASON NEWS & NOTES: MONDAY MOVES

Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

Offseason news kept rolling in on Monday, headlined by a three-team trade between the Heat, Clippers and Jazz — sending Norman Powell to Miami.

• Heat Get: Norman Powell (via LAC)
• Clippers Get: John Collins (via UTA)
• Jazz Get: Kevin Love & Kyle Anderson (via MIA), 2027 2nd-round pick (via LAC)

More Monday Moves: Paolo Banchero also reportedly agreed to a five-year max extension with the Magic yesterday – adding to Orlando’s busy offseason.

Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

While Banchero’s deal remains in the “reported” category, other offseason trades and signings began becoming official on Sunday — with more expected to roll in throughout the week.

Want to keep up with every move? Check out these offseason trackers:

• Free Agency Hub: Your home for the latest in free agency
• Offseason By Team: Every move, report and official deal for all 30 squads
• Trade Tracker: All the offseason swaps in one spot
• Full Free Agent Tracker: Every name, every report, every official deal