Key takeaways from Monday’s NBA Summer League games in Las Vegas

2021 MGM Resorts Las Vegas Summer League wraps up this week with the final games happening on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, 16 teams wrapped up their SL schedule, including the Detroit Pistons, who received a tremendous performance from rookie Luka Garza. Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets failed to get a win in Vegas, losing 99-74 to the Chicago Bulls to end the night.

The NBA Summer League is a great place to not only see the 2021 rookie class, but also the 2020 rookie class, which made a lot of noise this past season in the association. Below we’ll take a look at a few of the takeaways from Monday’s action that you might’ve missed.

Garza records double-double, signs two-way with Detroit

The Pistons ended the Vegas summer league on a winning note as they defeated the Magic 79-78 without the likes of Cade Cunningham, Killian Hayes, Sekou Doumbouya, and Saddiq Bey. Former Iowa standout Luka Garza recorded his third consecutive double-double with 21 points (8-16 FG, 2-6 3pt) and 15 rebounds. Garza, who was one of the best players in college basketball last season, showed that he can score and compete at the next level in Vegas.

Earlier in the day, Garza was reportedly inked to a two-way deal with the Pistons, which means he’ll split time in the G League and Detroit. If Garza’s last few games in the SL were any indication of what he can do, then it won’t come as a surprise to see him put up some major numbers in the G League this season.

Quentin Grimes showcases shooting prowess in SL finale

The New York Knicks might’ve found them a late first-round steal in rookie Quentin Grimes. The former University of Houston standout had one of his better summer league games on Monday as the Knicks won in blowout fashion over the Atlanta Hawks 104-89.

Grimes led the way with a game-high 26 points on an efficient 10-of-17 shooting from the field and 6-of-12 shooting from three-point range. With the Knicks not bringing back Reggie Bullock in free agency, they will need someone to step up to fill that three-point shooting void. Grimes or fellow rookie Miles McBride, who both showed that they can shoot the ball from behind the arc could be solid options.

Brandon Boston Jr. shines off the bench against Grizzlies

One rookie who did not garner a ton of attention in the summer league was Brandon Boston Jr. The second-round selection out of Kentucky was projected to be a first-round pick in this year’s draft in the early parts of the college basketball season. However, he fell all the way to the second round to the Los Angeles Clippers in last month’s draft.

Boston scored a team-high 20 points in 24 minutes off the bench on an efficient 8-of-14 shooting from the field in the Clippers’ 104-95 defeat to the Grizz. The rookie showed that not only could he put the ball on the floor and get to the rim, but also pull up for mid-range jumpers.