The NBA 2K25 Summer League officially kicked off on Friday from Las Vegas with seven games.
Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers were in action, as was NCAA tournament legend DJ Burns for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr—the NBA draft’s top two picks—made their debuts as well against each other.
Here’s a look at how they did, some reactions to the performances and a look at the night’s results.
Orlando Magic 106, Cleveland Cavaliers 79
Minnesota Timberwolves 81, New Orleans Pelicans 74
Memphis Grizzlies 103, Sacramento Kings 83
Houston Rockets 99, Los Angeles Lakers 80
Brooklyn Nets 97, Indiana Pacers 95
Washington Wizards 94, Atlanta Hawks 88
Los Angeles Clippers 88, Denver Nuggets 78
Bronny James showed more offensive aggressiveness from the jump against the Houston Rockets after taking just 11 combined field goals over his first two summer league games.
However, it was a tough shooting night for James, who made just 3-of-14 field goals (0-of-8 from three-point range) for eight points in a 99-80 loss.
James did add five rebounds and two steals in his 27 minutes.
He scored six first-quarter points, including this bucket following an assist from fellow rookie Dalton Knecht.
NBA @NBA
Lakers’ draftees working together early 👀
Knecht finds Bronny on the cut for the 2-foot flush!
📺 HOU-LAL | Live on ESPN pic.twitter.com/n3vHfvSYKz
Fans reacted to his performance.
Obe Gray Sr. @obegraysr
the biggest problem I see with Bronny’s game is his ball-handling. at 6’1 he’s gotta want that rick under on amy circumstances. open floor, against pressure, in the PnR etc.
he doesn’t look to really want the ball. 🤷🏾♂️#NBASummerLeague
Jamal Cristopher @JamCristopher
He’s really far away and I say that as someone who think bronny has a chance at being productive at some point.
There are ppl at the controls who are smarter than me but the rationale behind leaving after the year he had on so many levels is a head scratcher. https://t.co/UNYly2nrQk
AJ🔋🎰 @cxshout_
Bronny nice he just need time to get back like at one point the kid was eastbaying in game
PONYBOY KURTIS @MMBTAYLOR
Bronny James with 13 PRA 🔥 after his last game and how they been talking I love to see the small improvement
It’s been a tough offensive start to James’ summer league (6-of-26 from the field, 0-of-12 from three), but he’s only three exhibition games into his time as a Laker. His next game will be Monday against the Boston Celtics.
Burns didn’t get much run for the Cleveland Cavaliers in their 106-79 loss to the Orlando Magic, posting four points, two rebounds, an assist and a steal in 12 minutes.
Burns got his first summer league points off a putback and later added another bucket in the paint for his second field goal.
NBA @NBA
Fresh off the Final Four… DJ Burns gets his first two buckets of Summer League!
📺 CLE-ORL | Live on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/i2reJkRCn0
Burns has definitely lost weight from his NC State days, but he’s still a big player and hard to deal with.
Danny Cunningham @RealDCunningham
Even with all the weight loss, DJ Burns is still a tank.
Burns obviously has his fans, still.
Sir Yacht @SirYacht_
I need DJ Burns to make the Cavs roster this year please
Charlie Smarts @Charlie_Smarts
DJ Burns is a Bucket.
Robby Kalland @RKalland
Fire the Cavs Summer League coach for only playing DJ Burns 3 minutes when he’s 2-for-2 with 4 points
Hopefully we’ll see Burns get more run in the Cavs’ second game, which will be against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.
Sarr and the Washington Wizards defeated Risacher and the Atlanta Hawks 94-86. Sarr had 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting and seven rebounds but did his best work on the defensive end with four blocks and a steal. Three of those blocks occurred in a 23-second span.
Washington Wizards @WashWizards
R🚫🚫🚫K 👀#ForTheDistrict | @alexandresarr_ pic.twitter.com/Vubv4ZWTUd
Analysts were impressed with Sarr in the early going.
Danny Rouhier @funnydanny
Wiz 1st half thoughts:
-Sarr moves around incredibly well. Some really good defensive sequences. Easy to see the upside
-I like Carrington. Looks more natural on O than the couple times I saw him at Pitt. Under control & smart.
-What happens first? New football stadium or Davis…
Greg Finberg @GregFinberg
Alex Sarr with three emphatic blocks in 40 seconds😤
Already such an impressive rim protector
Nathan Grubel @DraftDeeper
I’ve been impressed with all of Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Keyshawn George tonight for different reasons.
– Sarr’s rim protection and passing flashes
– Bub’s competitiveness and basketball instincts
– George’s shooting confidence and willingness to make the next play
Tony East @TonyREast
Sarr looks really comfortable in tight spaces. Have enjoyed his minutes since I made it over to Wizards-Hawks.
Risacher scored 18 points on 7-of-16 shooting alongside five rebounds. He did work all over the court, including a coast-to-coast left-handed jam with Sarr trailing and a few threes.
Atlanta Hawks @ATLHawks
Mo gets the block and Zacch goes coast-to-coast for the lefty jam ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/0ve5pkgOkt
Atlanta Hawks @ATLHawks
Zacch gets to the rim for his first bucket as a Hawk then hits a corner 3 on the next trip down 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/l1nSOGktzH
Risacher got some good reviews for Night 1.
Glen Willis @willis_glen
Risacher works every second he’s on the court
It’s really impressive
Wes @bloghawk
Zacch Risacher has a “bag” even if it’s not isoing a guy in space.
His ability to cut and move off ball or step back to create space for the three is already really advanced for a 19 y/o.
AKelly @andlankell
Risacher’s skill is really evident. Really good movement off the ball, just always looks in control. Can tell he’s been a pro for awhile.
✈️ @JJETSFAN
“Risacher is the worst 1st pick ever” is gonna be one of the worst takes of all time in a few years
Washington will play the Houston Rockets next on Sunday. The Hawks also play that day against the San Antonio Spurs.
Jordan Miller went off for 36 in the Los Angeles Clippers’ 88-78 win over the Denver Nuggets. He shot 11-of-18 from the field and made six of 10 attempts from three-point range in 30 minutes.
NBA @NBA
Jordan Miller WENT OFF for 36 PTS to give the @LAClippers the #NBA2KSummerLeague victory! pic.twitter.com/d74WiV8kp8
The 2023 second-round pick caught the attention of two key people in the Clippers organization after his stellar performance.
Justin Russo @FlyByKnite
Jordan Miller gets love from Steve Ballmer and Lawrence Frank after his 36-point Summer League performance. pic.twitter.com/Q0jFlYEs9W
Fans and analysts were eager to heap praise on Miller after his outstanding Summer League debut:
Robert Flom @RichHomieFlom
Jordan Miller is having the first serious “I’m too good for Summer League” stretch by a Clippers summer leaguer in a long time
Law Murray 🛝 @LawMurrayTheNU
Jordan Miller has 19 points
ICYMI @TheAthletic
He is not PLAYING he wants thishttps://t.co/6ay3iWbhwO pic.twitter.com/sCqbhIm0Qi
Law Murray 🛝 @LawMurrayTheNU
Audio later, but Jordan Miller said he was gonna approach tonight like he had a bad game and will work until he gets what he wants
I asked him what does he want?
Miller: “A contract.”
Robert Flom @RichHomieFlom
Early standout on the Clippers’ side early is Jordan Miller by a mile. Very active on defense, couple nice drives on offense.
Jamal Cristopher @JamCristopher
Jordan miller we might really have one folks
While the Clippers certainly aren’t in a rebuild, the loss of Paul George and are still rumored to be talking with the Nuggets about trading Russell Westbrook could open playing time for some of the younger players on the roster.
If Miller continues to display this type of shooting ability for the remainder of Summer League, he will at least give head coach Tyronn Lue a reason to consider giving him a spot in the rotation going into training camp.
The Clippers will be back in action against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday at 4 p.m. ET. The Nuggets will take on the Toronto Raptors on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. ET.
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