NBA Summer League features top draft picks

Now that free-agency fireworks have hit a crescendo, the NBA brings its 10-day road show to Las Vegas this week.

Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion will play host to the NBA Summer League beginning Friday. In all, the Summer League will feature teams of rookies and second-year players from 23 franchises plus a select team of NBA Developmental League players.

The Summer League, which concludes with a tournament championship game July 18, begins with six games the first day. It tips off with Milwaukee vs. Cleveland at the Thomas & Mack and the D-League vs. Memphis at Cox Pavilion.

The early premiere game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Saturday, when Philadephia plays the Los Angeles Lakers in a meeting of the top two NBA Draft picks, Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram. In fact, 15 of the top 16 picks are expected to participate in league games.

The schedule includes at least six games a day through July 12. On July 13, the double-elimination playoff bracket begins with four games a day until the quarterfinals July 16.

Tickets for all games are available at NBATickets.com and the Thomas & Mack ticket office.