Category: NBA

The youngest sons of the late Dr. Jerry Buss could soon be branching out into sports ownership of their own.

According to a report from The Athletic, Joey and Jesse Buss are pursuing ownership of a team in NBA Europe through Buss Sports Capital, their business venture launched a year ago after they were both fired from their positions in the Los Angeles Lakers front office following the $10 billion purchase of the team by Mark Walter.

Per the report, the group has submitted multiple ownership bids in Manchester, England, and Lyon, France, while also keeping open the possibility of joining Luka Doncic and former Dallas Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson's bid for a team in Rome, Italy.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced plans for the NBA's European league in 2025 and reportedly hopes to begin play in 2027 with London, Manchester, Rome, Milan, Paris, Lyon, Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, Munich, Athens and Istanbul identified as potential cities for licensed teams. In addition to 12 permanent cities, the league also would have four annual qualifiers to put the number of teams competing in the league at 16.

Some markets have reportedly received bids of more than $1 billion.

“We’ve had tremendous interest from multiple cities in Europe, including cities that we didn’t even ask for bids from,” Silver told reporters on July 14 at the Board of Governors meetings in Las Vegas. “We discussed with our board that we’re in the process of finalizing those bids for an initial group of cities. Many of the people who are involved in those bids, the European bidders, are actually going to be in New York for the World Cup final on Sunday.

“Given their presence in New York, I would say we’re hoping to wrap up some of those deals over the next several weeks, and then announcements will be forthcoming.”

The Buss brothers also are reportedly considering a minority stake in the San Diego Padres under their new owners, José Feliciano and Kwanza Jones.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joey, Jesse Buss looking into NBA Europe ownership, per report

The Phoenix Suns have finished Summer League 3-1 with a +13 plus-minus as a team across the four games.

Maluach, Fleming, and Peat had their hands all over this one, as you love to see from your top prospects. The Suns had a strong opening and closing quarter to secure the win despite the Pistons looking in control in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.

• Khaman Maluach — 23 points, 15 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal, 8-13 FG, 2-5 3PFG
• Rasheer Fleming — 22 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal, 8-12 FG
• Koa Peat — 19 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 6-13 FG

Khaman Maluach across 4 Summer League games: 19.5 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 3.3 STL + BLK, 53% FG, 40% 3PT

Game Flow

First Half

Phoenix jumped out to an early 17-3 lead, led by Rasheer Fleming and Koa Peat.

Plus, this early slam from Man Man, which led to a Suns 10-0 advantage and prompted a Pistons timeout.

MAN MAN DOING WHAT HE DOES 👀 pic.twitter.com/EvyUQMLsJg

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 15, 2026

The next timeout break came with a 22-11 Phoenix advantage. The Suns’ defense was on point, holding the Pistons to just 13 first-quarter points. The Suns led 27-13 after one.

Maluach was all over the glass, grabbing five boards in his first 9 minutes of action. He also had a block and that emphatic slam we highlighted above.

The ball movement was crisp offensively as well, leading to a catch-and-shoot triple from Rasheer Fleming for his second three of the game midway through the 2nd quarter. Moments after writing this, the ball found him again for his third.

Rasheer with a game-high 15 points so far 👌

🎯 5-8 FG
🎯 3-4 3PT pic.twitter.com/BnX3aaqDRc

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 15, 2026

Phoenix was in control for most of the half, but the Pistons went on a furious run to close out the half and cut Phoenix’s lead down considerably. After a strong first quarter, they were outscored by 7 in the second.

At halftime, Phoenix led 53-46. Fleming led all scorers with 17 points on 6 of 9 shooting from the field.

Second Half

The Pistons carried that momentum over early in the third, with them starting off on a 13-to-7 run.

The Suns would show some fight, answering the Pistons’ run to jump back out in front, led by a pair of triples from second-year man Khaman Maluach.

Khaman with back-to-back triples 🪣 pic.twitter.com/gNyZnR8ZBg

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 15, 2026

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Maluach made his presence felt on the glass and dominated the interior yet again, which is an excellent sign of progress for the Suns’ sophomore.

The Suns led it 78-74 after three. Detroit outscored Phoenix by three in the quarter.

The teams continued to trade buckets in the second half. Koa Peat continued to show his playmaking chops in transition with the no-look dime after a steal.

Koa Peat steals it ➡️ completes the no-look dime in transition!

The No. 30 overall pick has 13 PTS in NBA Summer League action on ESPNU. pic.twitter.com/nxLynp2Npb

— NBA (@NBA) July 15, 2026

Peat checked out of the game after taking a hard fall on a blocked shot, but later returned to action.

Phoenix finished strong and was able to pull away for good, just as they did in their last contest vs. the Bucks.

VEGAS DUBBBB 😤 pic.twitter.com/MEQfGtFltD

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 16, 2026

Up Next

To be determined. We now await the rest of the games to see if the Suns qualify for the semifinals, but at 3-1, they gave themselves a shot. And more importantly, their prized young prospects looked (mostly) promising throughout.

A keen eye’s glance at the Utah Jazz Summer League injury report would reveal that one prominent name is shockingly absent: Darryn Peterson.

Looks like Darryn Peterson is available tonight for the @UtahJazz:

OUT – Max Abmas (left knee; sprain)

OUT – Trey Alexander (left rib; contusion)

OUT – Ace Bailey (right back; spasms)

OUT – Kylor Kelley (right calf; strain)

OUT – Cody Williams (illness)

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) July 15, 2026

Despite being deactivated prior to Utah’s blowout win against fourth-overall pick Caleb Wilson and the Chicago Bulls (this team really comes alive without Peterson, don’t they), Utah’s prized draft selection and prophesied hero of the wandering franchise is listed as available in the Jazz’s scheduled Summer League duel against the San Antonio Spurs, a team clearly horrified by the idea of squaring Victor Wembanyama against the flashy Jazz rookie — put him in your lineup, you cowards!

Typically, when a franchise star is shut down in the Summer League, that decision marks the end of their summer circuit experience. This is the case for AJ Dybantsa, the number-one pick. The chance of an injury delaying a player’s official NBA debut simply isn’t worth the risk in a meaningless Summer League exhibition. Shutting down the superstars and making way for the two-way hopefuls is standard procedure.

But if Peterson wants to take the court once more before Summer League is up, I say let him.

He’s fighting against two naysaying narratives at the moment. The first being a perceived lack of love for the game of basketball — I do not subscribe to this storyline — and the second being his offensive inefficiencies since the beginning of the Las Vegas leg.

Yes, his scoring totals have been fantastic, but with an average hovering around 33% from the field, I’d like to see DP employ more thoughtful shot selection and continue getting his teammates involved (five assists in his last appearance!). He can open up the floor for himself if he becomes a distributor like he was against Memphis in a 25-point, 12-assist performance; I’d love confirmation that a night like that was no fluke.

The Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs square off in a Summer League showdown at 7:30 pm, MT on Prime Video.

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Calvin Barrett is the Associate Editor for SLC Dunk. Originally from Springville, Utah, he currently lives in Japan and has covered the NBA and college athletics since 2024.

For the first time in his NBA career, Jayson Tatum will no longer be playing alongside Jaylen Brown after the Boston Celticstraded the 2024 NBA Finals MVP to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Tatum was candid when asked about what it was like to remain in Boston without his longtime running mate at the 2026 ESPY Awards.

"If I'm being transparent, it's weird," Tatum said. "I've been on the Celtics for nine years and he was my teammate every single one of those."

Brown and Tatum were selected with the No. 3 overall pick in back-to-back NBA drafts in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The duo helped quickly shape the Celtics back into a perennial contender after a brief, post-Big 3 rebuild and eventually led the franchise to its 18th NBA title in 2024.

But that partnership came to an end on July 6, when the Celtics traded Brown to the 76ers for a package including 36-year-old veteran Paul George, two future first-round picks and two future second-round picks.

Tatum referred to the fact that "the NBA is a business" while expressing his understanding of the trade. Nonetheless, he acknowledged moving past the trade wasn't necessarily easy.

"There's still a human element of it that you feel those emotions. The city feels those emotions," Tatum said. "But there's also a side of like, we have to welcome our new teammates in with open arms, and we still have to attack the new season."

"So, there's like a balance," he added. "But it's weird."

As Tatum mentioned, his focus in wake of the trade will be on preparing for the 2026-27 NBA season. He will be looking to help the new-look Celtics improve upon a 2025-26 campaign that saw them suffer a disappointing first-round playoff exit at the hands of the 76ers.

Meanwhile, Brown will be looking to elevate a 76ers team that already has a strong core featuring Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. Philadelphia also remains a player in the LeBron James sweepstakes and could emerge as the Eastern Conference favorite if the 41-year-old signs with the Sixers in free agency.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Celtics' Jayson Tatum gets 'transparent' about Jaylen Brown trade: 'It's weird'

Stephen Curry has now made another push for LeBron James just as the Warriors appear to be losing ground in the sweepstakes.

During a Wednesday appearance on “Good Morning America,” Curry delivered his most direct recruiting pitch yet, selling James on championship pedigree, team chemistry, sunshine, golf and the opportunity to close his career alongside a former rival.

“The Bay: We know how to win, beautiful weather, great golf. I know he’s into that,” Curry said. “We just know how to play basketball, and I think that he would enjoy just the idea of what it means to finish your career the right way.”

The timing was difficult to ignore.

ESPN insider Shams Charania left Golden State off his list of teams in the James sweepstakes, identifying the Cavaliers, Heat and 76ers as the current focus of the 41-year-old’s decision. Fellow insider Marc Spears doubled down on that, saying James is now solely looking to the Eastern Conference, calling the Warriors a dark horse in the race.

Only days earlier, Charania had listed Golden State among James’ leading suitors. Curry’s national television pitch now feels more like a last-ditch attempt to drag the Warriors back toward the front of the line.

Curry has plenty of material to work with. He and James developed immediate chemistry while leading Team USA to gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics under Steve Kerr. Their four consecutive NBA Finals battles also created an unusual bond between two stars, who spent years trying to end each other’s seasons.

Draymond Green has handled the private lobbying; he recently used a golf trip with James to deliver what he described as a “crazy” pitch that he hoped would make his longtime friend reconsider any decision already forming.

Golden State has also surrounded its stars with familiar pieces, re-signing Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis while adding Frank Vogel, who coached James to the 2020 championship with the Lakers.

Still, the Warriors may be running out of time: General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. said Tuesday that the roster was close to being finalized, suggesting the franchise either expects an answer soon or is preparing to finish its offseason looking beyond James.

Curry has now made what could be his closing argument.

Whether James views Golden State as the right way to finish — or merely another flattering option —remains entirely up to him.

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The Washington Wizards play the Los Angeles Clippers tonight at 10:30 p.m. ET or so. Let’s get one more win!

The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the New Orleans Pelicans in a final score of 82-77. This concludes their scheduled games in Vegas. They will play one more consolation game, as the Cavs did not qualify for the knockout tournament.

The top four teams advance to a single-elimination tournament. Cleveland’s 2-2 record won’t be good enough.

But the summer isn’t about winning. It’s about development. Obviously, the two can go hand-in-hand, but falling short of the tournament doesn’t mean Vegas was a waste of time. On the contrary.

Cleveland shut down their rookie standout Meleek Thomas for today’s game. They chose to keep the 34th pick on the bench and away from injury. Thomas had scored 35 points in his previous game and totalled 85 points in three games this summer.

While resting second-round picks in Summer League is a bit ripe for me, I can’t deny Thomas did more than enough to prove himself. His shot-making and overall feel for the game were evident to anyone watching. He has nothing left to show in this setting.

Resting Thomas opens up the door for other players to step up. So, did anyone take the torch?

Both the Cavs and Pelicans struggled to score in the first quarter. The Cavs began 0-13 from the floor as neither team cracked double-digits until near the end of the period. That’s Summer League for ya.

Things finally got rolling in the second quarter. The rest of the game was as expected.

Malaki Branham led the Cavs with 22 points. He looked strong throughout the Summer League and was their best player in this one.

Jaxson Robinson finished with 13 points on 5-10 shooting. The 23-year-old forward has shown a knack for getting hot from downtown, like when he scored 42 points and drilled eight three-pointers for the Cleveland Charge earlier this year.

Robinson played five years in college, beginning with Texas A&M before transferring to BYU and finishing his collegiate career with the Kentucky Wildcats. Robinson averaged 13 points per game in his senior season.

I’d keep an eye on Robinson, as 6’7” three-point shooters are always worth monitoring.

Cleveland’s two-way players have shown mixed results in Vegas. Tristan Enaruna has been out since the first game due to illness. Ernest Udeh Jr., whose hustle and activity led to 8 rebounds and 3 blocked shots today, ended the game shooting 0-for-2 and scored 0 points.

Riley Minix, Cleveland’s other two-way player, struggled throughout the summer. He’s shooting below 30% from the floor and missed his first 19 three-point attempts. Minix finally connected on a three-pointer today to bring his total to 1-for-20 for the summer.

The Cavs will play their final Summer League game on either July 17, July 18, or July 19.

You can always count on Josh Hart for an entertaining quip. 

Just after Argentina’s miraculous comeback to beat England 2-1 in the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday afternoon, the Knicks star compared Argentina to the newest NBA champs, almost certainly because of the country’s propensity for comebacks.

“Argentina = Knicks,” Hart posted on X. 

Despite trailing England 1-0 into the 85th minute, Enzo Fernández tied the game at one with a thrilling goal from outside the 18-yard box. Then, just two minutes into stoppage time, substitute Lautaro Martínez won it for Argentina with a header, prompting Hart’s post. 

But Wednesday wasn’t even Argentina’s most impressive comeback of the tournament. 

Argentina was dead in the water in the Round of 16 against Egypt, and trailed 2-0 in the 79th minute. But the two-goal deficit didn’t matter, as Argentina scored three late goals to complete a miraculous comeback and avoid disaster. Lionel Messi, who helped lead Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, added to his resume with an equalizer in that contest. 

Meanwhile, in the NBA playoffs, the Knicks were masters of the comeback en route to their first championship since 1973. 

Trailing 2-1 in their first-round series against the Hawks, the Knicks turned it up a notch and dominated the final three games, winning Game 6 by 50 points. In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Cavaliers, the Knicks were down 93-71 with 8:19 remaining, but stormed back to win 115-104 in overtime.  

But the Knicks’ Game 4 NBA Finals comeback was the most impressive of all, as they came back from 29 points down to beat the Spurs in a historic victory. 

Hart, a big fan of Chelsea in the Premier League, has been active online during the tournament, even making his support for England clear during the quarterfinals on Saturday when he recreated the iconic “can’t believe this is my life” LeBron James meme with a Three Lions jersey inside Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

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Though the sports are vastly different, both Argentina and the Knicks know what it looks like to be down big — and to still come out on top.

The Lakers (3-0) aim to keep their undefeated run alive on Thursday when they take on the Chicago Bulls (1-2). The purple and gold look to solidify a spot in the semifinals with a victory.

Start time and TV schedule

Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Chicago Bulls

When: 3 p.m. PT, July 16

Where: Thomas & Mack Center

Watch: Prime Video

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This Summer League tournament has been everything the Lakers could have hoped for and more.

Cameron Carr and Adou Theiro are leading an unbeaten team featuring the most determined and gritty players you’ll see in this kind of setting. The squad plays hard on both sides of the floor, shown by them beating their opponents by a significant margin each contest. Los Angeles now has a point differential total of 47 points over the last three games.

And oh, did I mention that they’re also currently undefeated? Pardon me, it’s been a while since L.A. has looked this good in Summer League.

And better yet, they have a legitimate chance to actually win the championship. It’s hard not to think about how meaningful winning this championship would be for Theiro, Carr and the rest of the group. But they’re going to have to work for it to make it happen.

Caleb Wilson and the Bulls

On Thursday, the Lakers will face a Bulls team led by their lottery pick in Caleb Wilson, who they selected No. 4 overall. The big man from the University of North Carolina has balled out this summer, averaging 24.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.3 blocks, and 1.3 steals across three games. He’s easily going to be the Lakers’ biggest threat.

But the question is, will the Lakers allow Wilson to be the best player on the floor? This is where Carr, Theiro and Arthur Kaluma — who has averaged the most points for the purple and gold in the tournament — should shine. The key for the L.A. is to maintain their defensive intensity and superb ball movement on offense.

This Lakers team has excelled at forcing turnovers and turning them into transition opportunities, a formula that could be even more effective against a Bulls team that likes to push the pace. If the purple and gold impose their strength, athleticism and height, they should be able to contain Wilson and company.

Playoff bound?

To qualify for the Summer League semifinals, the Lakers need to finish among the top four teams in the standings, which they currently do. Given that they’re one of the two undefeated teams in the tournament, they’re in a good position to secure a playoff spot.

Currently, the top four teams besides the Lakers are the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets. The four-team playoff bracket will be finalized based on win-loss records and point differentials from the elimination round.

That said, it would be ideal for the Lakers to keep their pristine record. And for as long as they continue to play the way they have, there’s a good chance that more success is on the horizon. Let’s see if the Lakers can inch closer to a championship against the Bulls on Thursday.

Notes and Updates

• Besides Carr’s 23-point night, Chris Mañon deserves praise for his 17-point output in the win against the L.A. Clippers.
• Kaluma continues to shine and is easily the best candidate to take the Lakers’ two-way spot.

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.

The NBA Summer League is in full swing in Las Vegas.

The rookies that were drafted just a few weeks ago have stolen the show but teams have others on the team looking to catch on. This includes seven former Villanova Wildcats.

Here is how each former Wildcat has performed to this point of the summer:

Duke Brennan, Brooklyn Nets

• July 10 vs. New York Knicks – No points or shot attempts in 4 minutes, 3 rebounds, 0-1 FT
• July 11 vs. Atlanta Hawks – DNP
• July 14 vs. Sacramento Kings – 0 points, 1 rebound, 0-1 FG, 3 minutes

TJ Bamba, Denver Nuggets

• July 10 vs. Houston Rockets – DNP
• July 11 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves – 7 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2-8 FG, 1-4 3PT, 17 minutes
• July 14 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder – DNP

Tyler Burton, Memphis Grizzlies

• July 10 vs. Chicago Bulls – 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1-1 FG, 1-1 FT, 5 minutes
• July 13 vs. Dallas Mavericks – 8 minutes, 3 rebounds, 3-6 FG, 2-3 3PT, 11 minutes
• July 14 vs. Golden State Warriors – 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 4-8 FG, 1-3 3PT, 23 minutes

Brendan Hausen, Memphis Grizzlies 

• July 10 vs. Chicago Bulls – DNP
• July 13 vs. Dallas Mavericks – DNP
• July 14 vs. Golden State Warriors – 20 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 7-9 FG, 6-8 3PT, 19 minutes

Lance Ware, New York Knicks

• July 10 vs. Brooklyn Nets – 0 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 0-4 FG, 16 minutes
• July 11 vs. San Antonio Spurs – 0 points, 1 rebound, 1 block, 13 minutes
• July 13 vs. Detroit Pistons – 2 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1-2 FG, 14 minutes

Devin Askew, Phoenix Suns

• July 10 vs. Portland Trail Blazers – DNP
• July 12 vs. New Orleans Pelicans – 0 points, 0-1 3PT, 4 minutes
• July 13 vs. Milwaukee Bucks – 3 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1-2 3PT, 9 minutes

Eric Dixon, Utah Jazz

• July 9 vs. Washington Wizards – DNP
• July 12 vs. Los Angeles Clippers – 5 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2-7 FG, 1-3 3PT, 20 minutes
• July 13 vs. Chicago Bulls – 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1-6 FG, 0-3 3PT, 14 minutes

Jalen Brunson played through pain during the final two rounds of the Knicks run to their first championship in 53 years.

During an appearance on ESPN Radio on Wednesday, the Knicks captain revealed he began feeling discomfort in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Cavaliers.

“There wasn’t a play I remember it happening,” Brunson said. “I just remember being at the free-throw line in the third or fourth quarter of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. My wrist was starting to feel weak. I was like, ‘Where is this coming from?’ From that point on, I was trying to figure out what was going on, and how I can push through, because I wasn’t going to get anything done during that time.”

Brunson recently underwent surgery to repair a tendon issue in his left hand and wrist, The Post reported July 7. The timeline then was six to eight weeks.

“I’m good,” Brunson said. “It’s obviously going to take a little bit of time.”

The injury didn’t hamper Brunson’s performance. He averaged 32.6 points, 4.6 assists and shot 38.9 percent from 3-point range in the Finals, highlighted by his 45-point masterpiece in the clincher. In the final two games against the Cavaliers, Brunson averaged 22.5 points and 5.5 assists.

It has been more than a month since the Knicks ended their title drought. Brunson called it a “roller coaster,” from the championship parade to a number of public appearances.

“Obviously, once we won and everything, everything was up and high and everything was amazing, the parade and all of that,” he said. “Everything after we won was amazing. Then kind of getting back into real life and realizing it was probably best to get surgery done for my wrist. That kind of brought me back down. But I would do it all again.

“It’s an incredible feeling, and something that doing it here has made it 10 times better. The experience has been better, just being in the city. It’s been amazing, to say the least.”

It was quickly revealed after the San Antonio Spurs selected Jayden Quaintance with the 20th-overall pick that the 19-year-old would require another knee surgery to clean up his meniscus. Today, the Spurs announced that Quaintance has undergone a successful surgery on his right knee. The team will provide more updates as appropriate.

This was a necessary surgery for San Antonio’s rookie, according to On3’s reporting:

Dr. Riley Williams III — head team physician and orthopedic surgeon for the Brooklyn Nets and famous for performing surgery on Paul George’s gruesome open tibia-fibula fracture with USA Basketball in 2014 — gave a second opinion on Quaintance’s injured right knee that limited him to four games in Lexington and recommended a follow-up procedure that could keep him off the floor for six months. The 6-foot-11 prospect’s ACL remains fully intact, and his knee can be maintained at its current state, but a clean-up is preferred for a permanent resolution.

The Spurs will hope that this latest surgery is the one that will allow Quaintance to return to the court in full health. With just about two months to go until training camp, we may not see Quaintance suit up for the Silver and Black to begin the season, but it’s reasonable to think the rookie could come back at some point in the 2026-27 season.

Spurs fans will have to wait to learn more from the team on Quaintance’s status as the offseason progresses. When he does return to action, he’ll give the Spurs a promising defensive prospect in a crowded front court that includes Victor Wembanyama, Luke Kornet, and Tarris Reed Jr.

What the Knicks and Jalen Brunson did en route to the organization's first NBA championship in 53 years was astounding, and it was made more spectacular after it was revealed that the Knicks point guard was playing a portion of the playoffs with an injury that required surgery.

Now, we know when Brunson was injured.

Speaking with ESPN NY Radio's Don, Hahn & Rosenberg on Wednesday, Brunson was asked about the injury. The Knicks captain couldn't pinpoint when he got hurt exactly, but knew he was hurt earlier than many believed. 

“I’m good. Obviously, it’s going to take a little bit of time," Brunson said. "There isn’t a play where I remember it happening; I just remember being at the free-throw line in the third or fourth quarter of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals and my wrist is starting to feel weak.

"From that point on, it was just trying to figure out what was going on and how to proceed because I wasn’t going to get anything done during that time."

That game saw Brunson score 19 points in 40 minutes in the Knicks' 109-93 win to take a 2-0 series lead, a series they wound up sweeping. But Brunson would have bigger moments in the NBA Finals. He helped lead the improbable comeback in Game 4 and scored a franchise-record 43 points in Game 5 to clinch the title. 

All with an injury to his shooting hand.

SNY's Ian Begley reported that Brunson underwent surgery to repair a left wrist/forearm injury earlier this month and that Brunson is expected to need at least two months for rehab/recovery.

Despite getting injured, Brunson wouldn't trade the experience, especially doing it in New York.

“It’s been a rollercoaster, honestly," Brunson said of life after winning the title. "Once we won and everything, everything was up high…everything after we won was amazing. And then getting back to real life, it was probably best to get surgery done for my wrist. That brought me back down. But I would do it all again."

 

"I just remember being at the FT line . . . of Game 2 of the ECF and then my wrist started to feel weak" - @jalenbrunson1 on when his wrist injury occurred @alanhahn l @Rosenbergradio l @ESPNNewYorkpic.twitter.com/h90dF1lO08

— Don, Hahn & Rosenberg (@DHRonESPN) July 15, 2026

Ebuka Okorie is obviously a talented basketball player with the kind of speed and intuition on how to deploy it that could be a difference-maker in the NBA. We have seen that throughout three games of Summer League so far. We’ve also see him struggle for a healthy dose of minutes. He’s taking a lot shots, and a lot of those shots are ill-advised. Does that even matter? It’s inarguable that he’ll have much better teammates on the real Detroit Pistons than he does on this Summer League team. It’s also true that he simply cannot afford to take these shots in a congested lane surrounded by three players. It’s simply unacceptable. And if it was a real game, I’d like to think it would be easy for him to defer and pass out of trouble. I guess, we will find out when the games really start to matter. Tonight’s game definitely does not matter. But it’s another chance to see Okorie at work.

Game Vitals

When: 6 p.m. ET
Where: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
Watch: ESPNU

The Los Angeles Lakers are in pursuit of free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga, but Iman Shumpert’s latest remarks appear to hint toward one outcome.

On the Shump Street podcast, NBA insider Shams Charania discussed NBA free agency with the former player.

The conversation turned toward the Lakers, where Shumpert mistakenly said the team had already inked a deal with Kuminga.

“I thought Kuminga went to LA?” Shumpert said.

Charania promptly replied: “That’s not done yet.”

Iman Shumpert Slipped Up And Accidentally Said Jonathan Kuminga Signed With The Lakers.

Shams Smirked And Said “That’s Not Done Yet”

Yeah, It’s Happening. https://t.co/Pjor6mNvB1pic.twitter.com/b6GuYDWItV

— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) July 15, 2026

The Lakers entered the free agency period with over $52 million in cap space, but quickly lost financial flexibility after signing Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Kevon Looney and Quentin Grimes.

Now, general manager Rob Pelinka is working to add Kuminga as the missing piece on the roster. But that task is a difficult one given the 23-year-old is seeking a more lucrative deal than the current Lakers offer on the table.

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The Lakers have reportedly offered Kuminga a deal where he earns $10 million annually. The team has pitched a star-studded role for Kuminga as a starting wing alongside Luka Doncic, but the current deal would leave the forward earning less than Mamukelashvili and Grimes, who are set to earn $13 million annually.

One of the two players is set to be a bench player.

And thus, Kuminga wants to earn more before joining the Lakers in Tinseltown.

The Lakers have limited avenues to acquire Kuminga, but the Atlanta Hawks are open to a potential sign-and-trade with LA. The California Post’s Khobi Price reports the Hawks are willing to send Kuminga to the Lakers in exchange for Jarred Vanderbilt and the Lakers’ 2032 first-round pick swap.

After an active first 48 hours in free agency, the Lakers have since made little noise on the market. While Pelinka’s challenge is to find a creative way to sign Kuminga, it’s evident the Lakers roster remains incomplete as it stands.