T Jass doing T Jass things.

See what the top creators in the game have in store for tonight’s PlayStation NBA Creator Cup live from Las Vegas (10 ET, NBA YouTube & NBA App).

5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀

July 9, 2025

Tonight In Vegas: The Creator Cup tips off on the eve of the NBA 2K26 Summer League

All-Access: Behind the scenes with the creators as they prepare to hit the hardwood

Cali Finale: Knecht & Bazley fuel a fierce 4th-quarter rally, Heat outpace Warriors

Salt Lake Send-Off: The hosts finish unbeaten, while Mintz sparks a Sixers win

First Look: NBA 2K26 Summer League, featuring all 30 teams, opens tomorrow in Vegas

BUT FIRST … ⏰

More offseason news around the NBA…

Al Bello + Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images

Report: Tuesday brought another notable reported trade, with the Spurs reportedly acquiring Kelly Olynyk in a deal with the Wizards. Stay tapped in on all the latest offseason moves here.

More Hoops News: The Knicks officially hired Mike Brown as their head coach, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was announced as the cover athlete for NBA 2K26 and the WNBA All-Star teams were drafted by captains Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier.

1. TONIGHT IN VEGAS: NBA CREATOR CUP TAKES CENTER STAGE

The PlayStation NBA Creator Cup tips off tonight in Vegas (10 ET, YouTube/NBA App), bringing together viral stars, elite hoopers and some of the biggest personalities in the digital world for a 5v5 showdown – and it’s not too late to secure your tickets.

With a combined social reach of more than 150 million, this year’s lineup is stacked with hoops creators who’ve taken over feeds across the globe.

Leading the two squads? Two of the biggest names in the creator space – Mark Phillips and Tristan Jass – who will go head-to-head from the sidelines as coaches.

Yesterday, we introduced Team T Jass. Now, it’s time to meet their challengers – Team Mark:

D’Aydrian Harding: A comedic content creator with more than 16 million followers, Harding also started the Stay Sober brand, which includes a popular comedy tour featuring interactive segments and live pranks.

Duke Skywalka: A former ABA champion and Big3 player, Duke’s a problem on the hardwood – and he’s also carved out a space in Hollywood, including a role in the 2023 movie, White Men Can’t Jump.

Bree Green: A former Harlem Globetrotter, Green brings eye-popping skills and creative trick shots to social media, where she entertains fans with basketball, lifestyle and comedic content.

El Pics/NBAE via Getty Images

Chris Staples: Another former Harlem Globetrotter, Staples is a world-class dunker who has inspired high-flyers like Dwight Howard and Aaron Gordon. He also starred in the hoops film Slamma Jamma.

Jayda Bovero: A former guard at the University of New Mexico, Bovero blends her love for hoops, fashion and fandom through content focused on style, fan interviews and WNBA storytelling.

JDub: Jordan Wallace, aka “JDub,” played college ball at Lamar University and Victoria College. He now creates a wide range of basketball content – from comedy skits to practice sessions.

Marcelas Howard: Known as “The Backyard Legend,” Howard is a former college hoops player turned content creator who primarily focuses on comedic basketball videos.

Trey Phills: Son of former NBA guard Bobby Phills and a former Ivy League player turned content star, Trey blends his basketball knowledge with polished video production and smooth gameplay.

2. ALL-ACCESS: GEARING UP FOR THE CREATOR CUP

What happens when some of the world’s top hoops creators collide under the bright lights of Vegas for the fourth PlayStation NBA Creator Cup?

If history’s any indication: viral highlights, dramatic comebacks and nail-biting finishes – as all three of the previous Creator Cups have come down to the wire.

• The first Creator Cup coincided with the inaugural Emirates NBA Cup in 2023 and needed overtime to decide a winner
• The second tipped off the 2024 Summer League in Vegas with a wild finish that came down to a final shot at the buzzer
• The third came last December, when Team Professor rallied to defeat Team Lethal, capped by Trey Phills’ game-winning bucket with five ticks left for a thrilling 78-77 win
• “It was a crazy finish,” said Meka, who is playing for Team T Jass in his second Creator Cup. “One of my favorite experiences that I’ve had.”

“This event has become one of the highlights of my summer,” added YPK Raye, who is also playing for Team T Jass in his third Creator Cup.

“The competition is absolutely incredible, which pushes all of us to elevate our game. It’s the kind of event that reminds you why you love both basketball and being part of this creator space.”

And the creators have been locked in ahead of tonight’s showdown – from training sessions to call-outs:

• “It’s Going Down”: Jesser, FaZe Rug and Strictly Bball’s Joe Doerrer will not only call the action but provide some halftime entertainment, as Jesser and FaZe will go head-to-head in a Moneyball 1v1 contest
• Training With A Champ: Meanwhile, Team Mark teammates Jayda Bovero and Bree Green were putting in work with 3x NBA champion Danny Green
• Above The Rim: Meka, D’Aydrian Harding and YPK Raye showed off their bunnies at yesterday’s Creator Cup practice
• Dialed In: Meka has also been in the lab after showing out in December’s Creator Cup, and he’s ready for another classic: “I hope you guys are ready.”

3. CALI FINALE: LAKERS STUN SPURS, HEAT TOP WARRIORS

Lakers 89, Spurs 88: After trailing by 14 with 4:44 left, Dalton Knecht ignited a late 4th-quarter rally, as Los Angeles finished the game on a 20-5 run, capped by Darius Bazley’s go-ahead putback slam in the final seconds to close the California Classic with an electric win. | Recap

• 1-2 Punch: Knecht scored 15 of his 25 points in the 4th quarter, while Bazley turned in a game-high 27 along with 13 boards
• Highlight Buckets: Bazley showed off his footwork with this slick spin and drive, while Bronny James flashed his handle with a crafty crossover and finish
• Shining Spur: David Jones-Garcia led the Spurs with 25 points for the second straight game, while adding six boards and five dimes

Heat 93, Warriors 79: Kira Lewis Jr. (16), Pelle Larsson (15) and Keshad Johnson (15) combined for 46 points as the Heat never trailed after the 1st quarter, outpacing Jackson Rowe (14 pts) and the Warriors to finish the Cali Classic with a 2-1 record. | Recap

• Jr. To Johnson: Lewis Jr. added four assists, including this behind-the-back dime to Johnson for a monster slam

4. SLC SEND-OFF: SIXERS DUB, JAZZ FINISH UNBEATEN

76ers 91, Grizzlies 90: One night after scoring a game-high 21 against the Thunder, Judah Mintz went off for 26 on 9-of-15 shooting and three steals to hold off a late Grizzlies surge, securing the Sixers’ first win of the summer. | Recap

• Clutch Dagger: After the Grizzlies rallied from 16 down, Mintz helped extend a one-point lead with a circus and-1 with 8.2 seconds left
• Sixer Scorers: Justin Edwards (15 pts) and Hunter Sallis (11 pts) joined Mintz in double figures, highlighted by this high-flying hammerfrom Sallis
• Grizz Spotlight: Tyler Burton led the way for Memphis with 23 points and nine boards

Jazz 86, Thunder 82: Rookie Walter Clayton Jr.’s game-high 20 points, Kyle Filipowski’s double-double (18 pts, 15 reb) and two key 2nd-half runs helped the home team wrap up Salt Lake City Summer League undefeated at 3-0. | Recap

• Building The Lead: After neither team led by more than six points in the first 2.5 quarters, the Jazz went on a 20-0 run to build an 18-point lead late in the 3rd
• Not Going Away: OKC – led by Ajay Mitchell (19 pts, 8 ast) and Malevy Leons (17 pts, 4 stl) – responded with a 25-6 run to take an 80-79 lead with 2:55 to play
• Closing Strong: Clayton’s fourth and final 3 of the game put the Jazz back up for good as they closed the contest on a 7-2 run

5. FIRST LOOK: NBA 2K26 SUMMER LEAGUE

We’re just one day away from tip off at NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas.

All 30 teams will participate in the event for the eighth straight year in a showcase of the NBA’s next generation, featuring 76 games over 11 days of competition.

From rookies getting their first taste of NBA competition, sophomores looking to level up their game, and unsigned players showing out to earn a training camp invite, NBA Summer League is a proving ground.

• Format: Each team will play at least five games, with the top four teams advancing to the Playoffs, beginning July 19 and capped by the championship game on July 20 (10 ET, ESPN)
• How To Watch: All games will air across ESPN platforms (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+ and ESPN3) or NBA TV

NBAE via Getty Images

NBA Summer League has a rich history of showcasing future NBA stars. Former participants include seven active Kia MVPs and the last five Finals MVPs.

• Kevin Durant: 2007 Summer League ➡️ 2014 MVP
• Stephen Curry: 2009 ➡️ 2015 & 2016
• Russell Westbrook: 2009 ➡️ 2017
• James Harden: 2009 ➡️ 2018
• Giannis Antetokounmpo: 2014 ➡️ 2019 & 2020
• Nikola Jokić: 2015 ➡️ 2021, 2022 & 2024
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 2018 ➡️ 2025

Who will be the next breakout star to make their mark at NBA Summer League?

Glenn James + Jesse D. Garrabrant + Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images

Let’s start with this year’s stacked draft class. Here’s when each of the top 10 picks will make their Vegas debuts.

• No. 1 Cooper Flagg (Mavs): The top pick made a name for himself in Vegas a year ago while scrimmaging the US Olympic team. Now, he headlines opening night of Vegas Summer League as the Mavs take on the Lakers on Thursday (8 ET, ESPN)
• No. 2 Dylan Harper (Spurs) vs. No. 3 VJ Edgecombe (Sixers):Two of the top three picks meet to cap off Thursday (10 ET, ESPN). The playmaking Harper makes his summer debut, while Edgecombe (who sat out for Philly’s SLC finale due to a thumb contusion) looks to follow a strong showing in Salt Lake City
• No. 4 Kon Knueppel (Hornets) vs. No. 5 Ace Bailey (Jazz): Two of the top five picks face off in their Vegas openers on Friday (7 ET, ESPN). We’ll get our first look at the sharpshooting Knueppel, while Bailey looks to carry over his play from Salt Lake City to Vegas
• No. 6 Tre Johnson (Wizards): Friday vs. Suns (9 ET, ESPN)
• No. 7 Jeremiah Fears (Pelicans): Thursday vs. Timberwolves (3:30 ET, ESPN2)
• No. 8: Egor Demin (Nets): Thursday vs. Thunder (5:30 ET, ESPN2)
• No. 9 Collin Murray-Boyles (Raptors): Friday vs. Bulls (8 ET, NBA TV)
• No. 10 Khaman Maluach (Suns): Friday vs. Wizards (9 ET, ESPN)