2026 NBA Summer League: 5 must-see video games to observe

Cameron Boozer has proven off his versatility on each ends throughout the Salt Lake City Summer League.

Sixteen days. That’s all that separates Night 1 of the 2026 NBA Draft from opening night time of the NBA 2026 Summer League — a transition from realizing a lifelong dream to starting a brand new journey with a brand new workforce and a brand new metropolis.

Before the draft picks scatter from Brooklyn to their new properties across the nation, all of them have one vacation spot on their agenda: collaborating in NBA Summer League from July 9-19 in Las Vegas, giving hoops-crazed followers a primary glimpse at the way forward for the NBA.

A complete of 76 video games can be performed over 11 days within the desert. Here are 5 you may’t miss.

1. Top two picks collide: Wizards vs. Jazz (Thurs., July 9, 9 ET, ESPN)

We don’t have to attend lengthy to see one of many marquee matchups of your entire Summer League, as the highest two picks within the 2026 NBA Draft — Washington’s AJ Dybantsa and Utah’s Darryn Peterson — will meet in primetime on the opening night time of the competitors.

The 2026 Draft class is taken into account by many to be one of many deepest and most proficient draft lessons in current reminiscence — a bunch stuffed with potential franchise-changers. We’ll get to see two of these prospects share an NBA court docket for the primary time on Thursday night time.

This can be our first have a look at Dybantsa with the Wizards after the 6-foot-9 wing led the NCAA in scoring (25.5 ppg) throughout his lone season at BYU. Meanwhile, Peterson has already appeared in two video games for the Jazz within the Salt Lake City Summer League and has been completely electrical, posting 28 factors in his debut, adopted by 25 factors and 12 assists in his second sport.

2. College mates to professional foes: Mavs vs. Warriors (Thurs., July 9, 7 ET, ESPN)

In the span of three choices on Night 1 of the 2026 NBA Draft, a trio of Michigan Wolverines heard their names referred to as by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, finishing their transition from NCAA nationwide champions to NBA rookies.

No. 9: Dallas Mavericks draft Morez Johnson Jr.
No. 11: Golden State Warriors draft Yaxel Lendeborg
No. 12: Oklahoma City Thunder draft Aday Mara

The first two Wolverines chosen will face each other on the opening night time of Summer League in Las Vegas. It can be our first have a look at Morez Johnson Jr. with the Mavs, whereas Yaxel Lendeborg has already appeared in two California Classic video games for Golden State. Lendeborg had an excellent summer season debut, dropping 19 factors on excellent 6-for-6 taking pictures, together with 4 3-pointers, six assists and 5 rebounds in a win over the Lakers.

A number of bonus video games to circle, as these former faculty teammates will face off in Las Vegas over the following two weeks:

OKC (Mara) vs. GSW (Lendeborg): Sun., July 12, 6 ET, Prime Video
DAL (Johnson) vs. OKC (Mara): Thurs., July 16, 4 ET, Prime Video

3. No. 3 vs. No. 4 conflict: Bulls vs. Grizzlies (Fri., July 10, 8 ET, Prime Video)

While the Bulls and Grizzlies shouldn’t have a storied NBA rivalry, Duke and North Carolina are a special story. Those faculties produced this yr’s No. 3 and No. 4 picks within the draft with Duke’s Cameron Boozer going third to Memphis and UNC’s Caleb Wilson going fourth to Chicago. Now, they’ll renew that matchup in Summer League.

In their lone conflict in faculty, Wilson put up an environment friendly 23 factors for the Tar Heels, who secured the win on a last-second 3-pointer. Boozer completed with a game-high 24 factors and 11 rebounds however noticed the Blue Devils’ 10-game win streak snapped.

This matchup can be our first have a look at Wilson with the Bulls, whereas Boozer has already appeared in two video games for the Grizzlies at Salt Lake City Summer League. His offensive versatility has been on full show, with averages of 16.5 factors on 65% taking pictures (62.5% from 3-point vary), 5.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists.

4. Finals rematch within the desert: Knicks vs. Spurs (Sat., July 11, 6 ET, ESPN)

They battled for the Emirates NBA Cup in December. They battled for the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June. Now, the Knicks and Spurs Summer League groups will meet in Las Vegas for his or her newest showdown.

While this matchup might have decrease stakes for the franchises, the identical can’t be stated for the gamers. Draft picks and prospects need to shine on the Summer League stage for an opportunity to earn a roster spot with one among final season’s two NBA Finals groups.

A key participant to observe is San Antonio’s Carter Bryant, who didn’t play within the California Classic however is predicted to swimsuit up for the Spurs in Las Vegas. The No. 14 choose within the 2025 NBA Draft, Bryant appeared in 22 of San Antonio’s 23 playoff video games throughout their run to the Finals, although he performed restricted minutes.

He’ll look to construct on his rookie season expertise and proceed to develop his sport over the summer season. The 20-year-old ahead is a part of San Antonio’s thrilling younger core alongside Victor Wembanyama (22), Stephon Castle (21) and Dylan Harper (20).

5. Elite level guard prospects sq. off: Kings vs. Nets (Tues., July 14, 6 ET, Prime Video)

On Night 1 of the 2026 NBA Draft, level guards Mikel Brown Jr. (No. 6 to Brooklyn) and Darius Acuff Jr. (No. 7 to Sacramento) have been taken with consecutive picks. After being chosen back-to-back on draft night time, they’ll go head-to-head for the primary time at Las Vegas Summer League.

Both are dynamic scorers and playmakers who can produce from all three ranges whereas creating alternatives for teammates. Brown Jr. showcased his passing means with an eye-popping assist in his California Classic debut, whereas Acuff Jr. buried this clutch 3-pointer to ice Monday’s sport and carry the Kings to 3-0 this summer season.

While Brown Jr. has the dimensions benefit at 6-foot-5 in comparison with the 6-foot-2 Acuff Jr., it was Acuff Jr. who racked up probably the most honors throughout his lone season at Arkansas as a consensus All-America First Team choice and the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year. Now they’ll have their first probability to settle the comparability on the court docket.