Keyonte George (26 points) Highlights vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
The debuts are all but done, leaving players of the NBA 2K24 Summer League to improve or confirm their first impressions. Here’s a look at who did the best at that job on Monday:
Keyonte George, Utah Jazz
The 16th overall pick followed up his sterling Summer League opener with another scintillating performance. George amassed 26 points on an efficient 9-for-15 shooting, including 5-for-10 from deep, while adding seven assists, three rebounds and two steals. Utah outscored Minnesota by a whopping 25 points with George on the floor. The eye test, so far, backs up the fact that Utah might have another pure, winning talent on its promising roster.
Johnny Juzang, Utah Jazz
second win of #NBASummerLeague came in strong behind Johnny and Key #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/5Jz6jewA7g
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) July 11, 2023
Juzang matched George’s 26 points on even better shooting (10-14 FG) and half the turnovers (2) in just 25 minutes while adding four rebounds and three assists. Undrafted in 2022, the Los Angeles native finds himself in the midst of a very young and competitive cluster in Utah’s backcourt. Shooting like Monday’s could make him more of a factor.
Sam Merrill, Cleveland Cavaliers
Sam Merrill with 27 Points vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Merrill is the rare three-year NBA veteran playing in Vegas, but he’s trying to make the most of it after bouncing from Milwaukee to Memphis to, now, Cleveland. The 6-foot-4 guard did that and then some in the Cavs’ 100-77 blowout of the Grizzlies, making an eye-popping eight 3-pointers on just 11 attempts to finish with 27 points in 21 minutes. Cleveland’s offseason priority was clearly adding more shooting to its roster. Merrill, who signed a multi-year contract with the Cavs in March, provides another option in that department.
Jaden Hardy, Dallas Mavericks
Jaden Hardy (24 points) Highlights vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Many NBA deep-divers are fond of Hardy’s potential, and Monday night showed why. The 2022 second-round pick collected 24 points, six rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block in Dallas’ 111-103 win over Philadelphia. Carrying a heavy load with his Summer League team hasn’t helped his efficiency (5-17 FG), but Hardy’s aggressiveness (12-13 FT) could translate well as the Mavericks seek a return to the postseason.
Andrew Nembhard, Indiana Pacers
Andrew Nembhard gets inside for the floater before halftime.
The Pacers might have one of the most NBA talent-laden rosters at Las Vegas. Someone has to manage it from the point guard spot, and Nembhard did it well in Indiana’s 108-85 trouncing of Orlando. The 2022 second-round pick got his own (21 points, 8-16 FG) while dishing out seven assists that helped see every starter score in double figures. Pairing that with just two turnovers in 31 minutes of action was impressive.
Colby Jones, Sacramento Kings
Colby Jones gets high shot to fall off the glass plus the foul.
Versatile swingmen are a hot commodity in today’s NBA, and Jones flashed some of the skill set that saw him drafted 34th overall last month. The 6-foot-6 prospect stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points on an efficient 8-for-13 shooting, including 3-for-7 from deep, to go with nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks. The Kings are deep, especially after trading for former Pacer Chris Duarte, but Jones provides intriguing insurance if he keeps this up.
