NBA Summer League Day 3: Young standouts lead Rockets to win — PHOTOS
NBA SUMMER LEAGUE DAY 3
Who: All 30 NBA teams
When: Monday to July 22
Where: Thomas &Mack Center and Cox Pavilion
Tickets: Start at $45 for single-day general admission
Sunday’s scores
Cleveland 112, Milwaukee 81
Los Angeles Clippers 87, Brooklyn 78
Minnesota 105, Indiana 94
Houston 109, Washington 91
Orlando 91, New Orleans 86
San Antonio 79, Atlanta 76
Toronto 84, Denver 81
Golden State 92, Chicago 82
Monday’s schedule
Oklahoma City vs. Miami, 3 p.m., Cox Pavilion, ESPNU
Detroit vs. Houston, 3:30 p.m., Thomas &Mack Center, NBAtv
Dallas vs. Memphis, 5 p.m., Cox Pavilion, ESPNU
Portland vs. Philadelphia, 5:30 p.m., Thomas &Mack, NBAtv
Utah vs. Sacramento, 7 p.m., Cox Pavilion, ESPNU
Boston vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 7:30 p.m., Thomas &Mack, NBAtv
Stars of the day
Cam Whitmore, Houston Rockets
Offense wasn’t a problem for Houston in its win over Washington. Whitmore, who the Rockets selected with the 20th pick in the 2023 draft, led the way with 25 points.
Whitmore shot 60 percent (9-for-15) from the field and added eight rebounds, five steals and four assists. The 6-foot-7 forward from Villanova is averaging 22.5 points per game through his first two NBA Summer League appearances.
Whitmore was one of three Rockets to score more than 20 points. Reed Sheppard, the third overall pick in this year’s draft, and former Centennial standout Orlando Robinson added 22 points each.
Jordan Miller, Los Angeles Clippers
Miller could not have asked for a better start to his NBA Summer League. The second-year guard scored a team-high 21 points in the Clippers’ win over Brooklyn. He scored 36 points in the Clippers’ 88-78 victory over Denver on Friday.
Miller was just 4-for-12 from the field but made all 13 of his free throws. He added five rebounds, four assists and two steals.
The 2023 second-round pick from the University of Miami (Florida) spent most of last season in the G League and was named to the All-Rookie team. He is averaging 28.5 points per game so far at NBA Summer League.
E.J. Liddell, Atlanta Hawks
Liddell kept the Hawks close during their loss to San Antonio. He scored 22 points off the bench while adding five rebounds and four blocks.
He put up a 3-pointer in the final seconds that No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher put in for a layup. Risacher was fouled and missed the free throw on purpose, but Atlanta couldn’t secure the rebound. The Spurs made two free throws to second the win.
Liddell joined the Hawks this month after spending the previous two seasons with New Orleans and its G League team.
Faces in the crowd
Plenty of NBA talent was on hand to watch Sunday’s action.
Five-time All Star and current free agent John Wall watched the Timberwolves’ win over the Pacers. He last played for the Clippers during the 2022-23 season. Timberwolves players Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels were also in attendance.
Former UNLV forward Derrick Jones Jr. visited his old arena with Clippers teammates Norman Powell and Mo Bamba.
Atlanta guard Trae Young was courtside at Thomas &Mack Center to get his first glimpse at Risacher.
Orlando guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope stopped by to watch some of his potential new teammates. Caldwell-Pope signed a three-year, $66 million free-agent deal with the Magic earlier this month.
Recent NBA Summer League standouts Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson were among the Rockets in attendance to watch their younger teammates.
Other NBA players in attendance included Cleveland guard Darius Garland, Milwaukee forward Taurean Prince and Washington’s Jordan Poole and Marvin Bagley III.
Alex Wright Review-Journal