Another day of NBA Summer League from Las Vegas saw a handful of exciting performances from promising rookies.
Several top picks like Houston Rockets Reed Sheppard, Portland Trail Blazers Donovan Clingan and more were in action, along with some later draft picks who are proving their value early on.
Here’s a round-up of some notable players’ performances as well as how the social media world reacted to the rookies.
Portland Trail Blazer 97, Philadelphia 76ers 95
Memphis Grizzlies 108, Dallas Mavericks 88
Detroit Pistons 87, Houston Rockets 73
Miami Heat 102, Oklahoma City Thunder 73
Sacramento Kings 82, Utah Jazz 70
Boston Celtics 88, Los Angeles Lakers 74
Reed Sheppard Continues Hot Start to Summer League
Reed Sheppard is off to a blazing start in Summer League and is quickly showing why he was a top-three pick.
The Kentucky product and No. 3 overall pick to the Houston Rockets had 15 points and four rebounds to go along with three steals. That performance follows a 23-point performance in his debut and a 22-point outing against Alex Sarr and the Washington Wizards on Sunday. Even in a slightly off night from him, Sheppard continued to wow fans.
While his team failed to get a win on Monday, Sheppard is proving why he can help the Rockets compete in the playoffs as early as his rookie season.
After another strong performance, fans began to make a case that Sheppard should have been the top pick in the draft.
Brent @DHunna_II
So Reed Sheppard should’ve been the No. 1 pick? Lol
ℵxLL @BLXXDBVTH
Reed Sheppard lookin like Devin Booker in Summer League
Dick Weiss @HoopsWeiss
based on his first two games in the vegas summer league, maybe reed Sheppard should have been the first pick in the draft.
Paul @YrAvgRocketsFan
Yeah no, Reed Sheppard is it. This roster is ready, give me the NBA Playoffs already.
Donovan Clingan Continues to Show Defensive Upside
The Portland Trail Blazers knew they were getting a strong defensive player in Donovan Clingan, and he continued to prove that on Monday.
The rookie out of UConn had eight points, 11 boards and swatted three shots on the way to a win over Jared McCain and the Philadelphia 76ers. Clingan’s offense is still clearly a work in progress as he went 4-of-11 from the field, but his defensive upside means he could find success early on.
Clingan also added a highlight to his reel in Monday’s game.
NBA @NBA
The 7’2″ Donovan Clingan went up with AUTHORITY. 😲 https://t.co/ptTq3eQVB6 pic.twitter.com/EoDaGPskzm
Clingan’s defensive presence had Trail Blazers fans eager to see him suiting up this season.
Ghee Buttersnaps @jakum77
Clingan is going to be a really good player in this league. He will be a menace on defense day 1 https://t.co/XQJRzxu6cR
🤩🤩🤩 @Kqmuii
clingan defense is legit
Danny Marang @DannyMarang
Donovan Clingan ended up blocking this shot: pic.twitter.com/M5ZS9tG1iE
Eugene B. Lee-Johnson, PhD @eugenejohnson_
I think there’s some Marc Gasol potential to Donovan Clingan’s game.
Kyle Filipowski Finds Life After Slow Start
Kyle Filipowski has had a rough start to Summer League, going scoreless in his debut and mustering just four points in his second game.
He had a better outing on Monday, breaking the double-digit mark in a loss against the Sacramento Kings. He finished with 13 points on 4-of-8 shooting, also adding five rebounds and a block.
Filipowski was believed by many to be deserving of a first-round pick, but he’s shown early on that he might have been more worthy of the second-round pick the Jazz used on him. After the game, Utah fans voiced their concerns about Filipowski.
James Lavelle @JLAVS1231_
Filipowski single handedly taking the Jazz out of the game tossing up a 3 ball then a fade away that never had a chance
The Colonel @colby_colonel
Filipowski might be one of the worst defenders I’ve ever seen
Andy Larsen @andyblarsen
Oof, this is as rough of a Jazz summer league game as I can remember. Down 38-12 before the midpoint of the second quarter. Williams, Hendricks, Collier, Filipowski combining for 2 points, 1-10 FG, 8 turnovers.
Dalton Knecht Shines as Bronny’s Struggles Continue
The Los Angeles Lakers rookies are having two very different stars to Summer League in Las Vegas.
After posting 25 points on Friday, Dalton Knecht had 19 in Monday’s loss to the Boston Celtics. The former Tennessee star also added three steals and a block. The Lakers landing Knecht with the 17th pick is starting to look like the steal of the draft, the fans hyped another strong performance from him on social media.
The Lakers Chip @Lakerschipp
Dalton Knecht needs to play a lot in preseason like 30+ minutes because once he gets comfortable with Bron and AD he’s gonna be a problem
Ben🤘 @b_kite93
Knecht the most exciting part of watching this Lakers summer team.
🕺🏾 @pritchard_szn
dalton knecht carrying this lakers summer league team pic.twitter.com/A8SOxt13eQ
ty @that_villain_Ty
When I imagine Knecht next to actual NBA players I get excited ngl
Bronny James’ performance was much more different than that of his fellow rookie.
The son of NBA legend LeBron James continued what has been an ugly shooting slump, going 0-of-3 from deep and failing to get on the board. James showed promise as a potential three-and-D player coming into the draft, but he’s failed to hit a shot from deep so far in Summer League.
James finished Monday’s game with just two points and three rebounds.
year 22 @johnrivers131
Bronny is 3 years away from being 3 years away
BL@ZE™ @followingblaze
Bronny James is equivalent to a starting Division 2 shooting guard playing in the NBA . Compared to the average person he’s really good, but among NBA or even G league talent he’s just simply out classed ..it is what it is .
SWISHOUT @swishout
Bronny no where near NBA level bro im sorry
James will have Tuesday to regroup and will be back in action on Wednesday, where he will look to turn things around in Summer League.
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