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The 2021 NBA Summer League slate continues in Las Vegas on Saturday with six games tipping off. The Denver Nuggets get things started against the Dallas Mavericks, while No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham hopes to continue his rise in the last game of the day against the Los Angeles Lakers. Here we’ll be recapping all the games for Saturday, August 14th.
NBA Summer League recaps
Nuggets 89, Mavericks 85 (OT)
Nah’Shon Hyland is going to be a big factor for the Nuggets this season. The VCU product went for 28 points, six rebounds and four assists against the Mavericks while shooting 5-8 from behind the arc. When Jamal Murray returns from his injury, this offense is going to be tough to stop.
The Mavericks might not have a lot of players on their team from this Summer League roster, but Nate Hinton and Eugene Omoruyi were solid in this one. The duo combined for 39 points. Louisville rookie Carlik Jones had 17 points and eight assists.
Hawks 94, Heat 90
Jalen Johnson continues to make the most of his Summer League time. The Duke forward scored 25 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Hawks, who may have landed a couple of steals in this draft with Johnson and Sharife Cooper. Skylar Mays added 26 points for Atlanta.
The Heat will be impressed by Omer Yurtseven and Max Strus. The duo combined for 45 points and should be part of Miami’s rotation in the regular season. Strus went 6-13 from behind the arc and could be a bigger piece on a team needing more shooting off the bench.
Celtics 100, 76ers 80
This was not a banner game for the 76ers, who shot 7-30 from the perimeter. However, Tyrese Maxey and Charles Bassey did not play so there’s not much to look at in this game from Philadelphia’s perspective.
Zach Auguste had 18 points to lead Boston, but the real story was Carsen Edwards with 16 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Aaron Nesmith and Romeo Langford had decent showings as well with 13 points each. The Celtics will use some of these players in the regular season rotation, so this is an encouraging performance.
Pacers 95, Thunder 61
Chris Duarte continues to shine in Summer League. The guard scored 19 points and went 3-4 from behind the arc, but also added four rebounds and four assists in a complete effort. Isaiah Jackson was also a factor in this one, putting up 12 points and recording two blocks.
The Thunder were awful from behind the arc, finishing 4-30 from deep. Jaylen Hoard had 16 points and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl was solid with 13 points and 10 rebounds, but this was a forgettable game for Oklahoma City.
Raptors 80, Hornets 79
Scottie Barnes was the story in this one. The No. 4 overall pick, one of the surprise selections in the draft, went for 23 points in the win. If Barnes can continue to make things happen offensively, he’s going to be a great player in the league.
The Hornets couldn’t make a massive advantage with the three-point shot count, ultimately losing by a bucket. Charlotte was +27 from behind the arc. James Bouknight was solid with 14 points and five assists. Scottie Lewis added 10 points and went 2-2 from deep.
Knicks 103, Cavaliers 94
The Knicks have a solid Summer League trio with Quentin Grimes, Obi Toppin and Miles McBride. The group combined for 72 points with Grimes’ 28 leading the way in one of the higher scoring games of the Vegas showcase. Toppin continues to show why he’ll be a bigger part of New York’s rotation this season. McBride should also get significant playing time off the bench.
Evan Mobley did not play in this one for the Cavaliers. Cleveland got 21 points and seven rebounds from Lamar Stevens to stay in the game, but its late run eventually came up short.
Suns 79, Trail Blazers 70
Jalen Smith, Phoenix’s 2020 first-round pick, continues to make moves in Summer League. He recorded 17 points and 12 rebounds in the win and should be more involved in Phoenix’s rotation this year. Michael Frazier II tallied 14 points, going 3-5 from behind the arc.
The Trail Blazers continue to field veteran players who look out of place in Vegas. Michael Beasley led the way for Portland with 14 points, while Emmanuel Mudiay added 13. It’s unlikely anyone from this group ends up making Portland’s final roster this year.
Pistons 103, Lakers 86
The Pistons did not play their key players in this game, ultimately robbing fans of a marquee late night viewing event. Saben Lee led Detroit with 22 points. Luka Garza continues to have a strong Summer League with 20 points and 14 rebounds. He’s playing his way into the Pistons’ rotation this year.
For the Lakers, Jordan Floyd led the way with 16 points. Three other Los Angeles players reached double figures, including Devontae Cacok with 13 points. He’s a candidate to join the Lakers at training camp as the roster spots start filling up.