In the first appearance of Cade Cunningham in the Pistons jersey, the top pick shows light and shadow. Meanwhile, Jalen Green is making a strong debut. And even a German can convince at the start of the Summer League.
Detroit Pistons (0-1) – Oklahoma City Thunder (1-0) 72:76
Points: Saddiq Bey (14) – Theo Maledon (15)
Rebounds: Saddiq Bey (12) – Jaylen Hoard (10)
Assists: Killian Hayes (5) – Theo Maledon (11)
The evening got off to a really good start for top pick Cade Cunningham. After almost two minutes he got the ball in the right corner – nothing but net. Shortly afterwards he also netted his second three, but later in the game he had some problems with his offense (12, 5/17 FG and 5 turnovers). But the Pistons rookie also had an influence on defense with 2 steals and 2 blocks each.
There was less good news from Thunder rookie Josh Giddey, whose evening was over after only 5 minutes of use. The number 6 pick had to leave the floor prematurely due to an injury to his left ankle. But on the part of Thunder Theo Maledon put his stamp on the game.
The sophomore led his team to victory with 15 points and 11 assists and led the Thunder offense excellently. So OKC took control in the third quarter and no longer gave up the game. Positive from a German point of view: Oscar da Silva was allowed to run for almost 13 minutes in the Thunder jersey. The German Big, who is under contract with Ludwigsburg, scored 8 points (4/8 FG), grabbed 3 rebounds and got 2 steals and 1 block.
Cleveland Cavaliers (0-1) – Houston Rockets (1-0) 76:84
Points: Isaac Okoro (17) – Jalen Green (23)
Rebounds: Mfiondu Kabengele (13) – Alperen Sengun (15)
Assists: Jaylen Hands (3) – Josh Christopher (4)
Strong Rockets debut from # 2 pick Jalen Green. The 19-year-old put his great strength to the test in his first Summer League game: his offensive game. Green sank 9/18 out of the field on the way to 23 points, he refueled heavily to the basket, let threesome rain (4/9) or hit difficult turnaround and stepback jumpers.
In general, the Texans’ rookies put in a good performance. In addition to Green, number 16 pick Alperen Sengün marked a strong double-double (15 points and 15 rebounds, plus 4 blocks), Josh Christopher (number 24 pick) contributed 18 points. In the final section, when Houston took control of the game, Kenyon Martin Jr. was the main player with 10 of his 17 points.
On the Cavs side, the focus was on number 3 pick Evan Mobley, who put on 12 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks, but was not quite in his rhythm (6/17 FG and 5 turnover). Nevertheless, Mobley also knew how to convince overall and indicated his potential a few times with tough finishes in the zone.
The other games of the Summer League at a glance
Atlanta Hawks (0-1) – Boston Celtics (1-0) 83:85
Points: Jalen Johnson (20) – Payton Pritchard (23)
Rebounds: Jalen Johnson (10) – Carsen Edwards (8)
Assists: Sharife Cooper (6) – Carsen Edwards (6)
New York Knicks (0-1) – Toronto Raptors (1-0) 79:89
Points: Obi Toppin (24) – Malachi Flynn (23)
Rebounds: Obi Toppin and Jericho Sims (8) – Freddie Gillespie (13)
Assists: Immanuel Quickley (8) – Scottie Barnes (5)
Charlotte Hornets (0-1) – Portland Trail Blazers (1-0) 86:93
Points: James Bouknight (19) – Antonio Blakeney (27)
Rebounds: Kai Jones (10) – Kenneth Faried (8)
Assists: Grant Riller (6) – Emmanuel Mudiay (9)
Indiana Pacers – Washington Wizards (Postponed)
Miami Heat (1-0) – Denver Nuggets (0-1) 97:77
Points: RJ Nembhard (18) – Bol Bol und Caleb Agada (21)
Rebounds: KZ Okpala (11) – Daniel Hamilton (11)
Assists: DeJon Jarreau (4) – Caleb Agada (5)
Phoenix Suns (0-1) – Los Angeles Lakers (1-0) 72:73
Points: Jalen Smith (15) – Devontae Cacok (13)
Rebounds: Jalen Smith (12) – Vic Law and Devontae Cacok (7)
Assists: Jaleen Smith und Nate Mason (3) – Zavier Simpson (5)
Day 1 of the Summer League in Las Vegas at a glance
| date | time | Team 1 | Team 2 | Result |
| 8. August | 22 O `clock | Atlanta Hawks | Boston Celtics | 83:85 |
| 10.30 p.m. | New York Knicks | Toronto Raptors | 79:89 | |
| 9. August | Midnight | Charlotte Hornets | Portland Trail Blazers | 86:93 |
| 0.30 a.m. | Cleveland Cavaliers | Houston Rockets | 76:84 | |
| 2 O ‘clock | Indiana Pacers | Washington Wizards | Postponed | |
| 2.30 a.m. | Detroit Pistons | Oklahoma City Thunder | 72:76 | |
| 4 o’clock | Miami Heat | Denver Nuggets | 97:77 | |
| 4.30 a.m. | Phoenix Suns | Los angeles lakers | 72:73 |
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