NBA Summer League to return to Las Vegas in August

Las Vegas Review-Journal

3 years ago

Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins hoists the winning trophy after his team defeated t ... — Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins hoists the winning trophy after his team defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 95-92 during Vegas Summer League finals game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday, July 15, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Boston Celtics players including center Tacko Fall, left center, as a loose ball gets to the bench versus the Memphis Grizzlies during the last period of their NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, July 13, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Fans yells for their teams and free merchandise as the Memphis Grizzlies play the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a Vegas Summer League semifinals game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, July 14, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Mitchell Creek wipes his eyes while standing beside his teammates versus the Brooklyn Nets during the first half of their Vegas Summer League semifinals game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, July 14, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, right, joins his teammates in huddle versus the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of their Vegas Summer League semifinals game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, July 14, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

The NBA’s annual Summer League is returning to Las Vegas.

The league Tuesday announced plans via Twitter to hold the basketball extravaganza from Aug. 8 to Aug. 17. Games will be at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion, according to a person with knowledge of the planning.

The Vegas Summer League has been a staple since 2004, growing into one of the most popular events in the city. All 30 NBA teams and two national teams were present for the event in 2019, though it’s unclear if all 30 teams are going to be present this year, according to another person with knowledge of the situation.

The league is planning on allowing fans to attend games, although protocols have not yet been finalized and capacity limits are not yet clear, the person said. A limited number of spectators has been allowed to attend NBA games throughout the season, depending on various city guidelines.

Fans also have been attending games during the NBA’s inaugural play-in tournament, which began Tuesday. More than 130,000 fans attended Vegas Summer League in both 2018 and 2019, a measure of its popularity.

The NBA draft is scheduled for July 29, meaning rookies would have more than a week to prepare for the Vegas Summer League. The Vegas Summer League dates also coincide with the end of the basketball portion of the summer Olympics in Tokyo.

The gold-medal game is scheduled for Aug. 7, and the Olympics end the following day.

Contact reporter Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on Twitter.