LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 10: Cameron Carr #43 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half of a 2026 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a dominant start in the Las Vegas Summer League, the Lakers are back at it on Saturday as they take on the Dallas Mavericks.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks
When: 7 p.m. PT, July 11
Where: Thomas & Mack Center
Watch: ESPN
Exactly a week ago, this Lakers team was blown out by the Golden State Warriors in their first game together. They looked lost on the court, and it didn’t seem like there would be much to be excited about for the summer.
Since then though, they’ve bounced back significantly and won three straight games, including a strong showing against the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the process, Cameron Carr has continued to shine, while Adou Theiro has found his footing after an up-and-down start.
The two have also received sufficient help, and in Friday’s win, it was the likes of Arthur Kaluma and Anton Watson who combined for 33 points.
It’s been a fun team to root for. This squad has the right mix of talent along with the requisite shooting, athleticism, height and two-way production to succeed.
And on Saturday, they have a chance to build on their success against a Mavericks team led by Morez Johnson Jr., whom Dallas selected at No. 9 in this year’s NBA Draft.
Dallas began the tournament with a loss to the Warriors, so look for them to be determined to bounce back in this one. They also have a roster that can really score, especially inside the paint. Look for Johnson to get most of the team’s touches and production going.
As for the Lakers, it’ll be interesting to see if they can maintain their overall production. Since their first game together, their ball movement has improved.
Players know their roles and they seem to have a competitive game plan, at least based on how they’re playing. Hopefully it continues throughout the tournament for the Lakers.
If the Lakers win this game against the Mavericks, they’ll go up 2-0 and play two more games to determine if they advance to the semifinals. The goal is to win all games by as much as possible since the point differential system impacts the team’s standing down the line.
Let’s see if they can win back-to-back games and keep their momentum going against the Mavericks on Saturday.
Notes and Updates
In case you missed it, yes, the new Lakers signees are in Las Vegas and have shown support for the current summer team.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Koa Peat #18 of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on July 10, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Phoenix Suns tipped off their Summer League schedule in Las Vegas on Friday night, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 81-79.
It was a tale of two halves for the Phoenix Suns. In the first half, they couldn’t hit a shot, going 0-of-9 from beyond the arc and scoring only 24 points. Sure, quarters are shortened to 10 minutes in Summer League, but 24 points is still 24 points. It was ugly basketball.
Then the Suns came out of the locker room with some fire, and you could see the difference on both ends of the floor. Phoenix trailed by as many as 16 points, but after scoring 57 in the second half, they completed the comeback and walked away with an 81-79 victory.
DJ Steward led the way for Portland with 21 points, while Yang Hansen finished with 12 points and nine rebounds.
Javonte Cook led Phoenix with 21 points, but it was the performances from the Suns’ young prospects that impressed the most. Khaman Maluach finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while rookie Koa Peat added 17 points and nine boards. Rasheer Fleming chipped in six points and 10 rebounds, along with two steals and two blocks.
The Suns’ defense came alive in the second half, creating turnovers, generating transition opportunities, and giving the offense the energy it desperately needed. It was far from perfect, but the young Suns responded when things looked ugly and found a way to win their first Summer League game.
Game Flow
First Half
The game started a little later than planned because the matchup before it, between the Celtics and Raptors, went into overtime. Because why wouldn’t an 8 p.m. Suns start get delayed? Typical Suns stuff.
Thankfully, it’s a Friday night.
The first points of the game came after rookie Kia Peat snagged an offensive rebound and then through Ali loop to Khaman Maluach. Chefs kiss? Yes, chefs kiss.
That was the only made basket for the Suns on their first 12 attempts, as they opened the game shooting 8.3% from the field. It was clear Phoenix wanted to see what Maluach could provide on the perimeter, as he began the night 1-of-5 from the field and 0-of-3 from beyond the arc.
Despite the brutal start, the Suns trailed only 7-2 midway through the first quarter.
The rebounding was solid for Phoenix, as their front line was simply massive. Early on, Peat impressed with his ability to attack the glass and secure rebounds. And it was Peat who finally snapped the Suns’ 0-of-13 shooting stretch, rising up and throwing down an athletic dunk to give Phoenix some much needed life.
Maluach scored his second basket of the game with an impressive left-handed bank shot over Yang Hansen.
Overall, it was an ugly quarter for both teams. They combined to shoot 1-of-21 from beyond the arc, with Phoenix going 0-of-9 and finishing the quarter 4-of-22 overall from the field. Maluach led all Suns scorers with four points on 2-of-6 shooting, while Rasheer Fleming added two points and six rebounds.
After one, the Suns trailed the Trail Blazers, 19-10.
The second quarter started much the same, as the Suns missed their first five shots from the field and opened 0-of-2 from beyond the arc. A lazy inbound pass from Maluach didn’t help matters, and he led the team with 4 turnovers in the first half. His handle certainly looked loose whenever he put the ball on the floor.
Phoenix was shooting only 14% from the field midway through the second quarter, although Portland wasn’t doing much better at 25%. With five minutes remaining in the half, the Suns found themselves trailing by 13, 27-14.
The drought was finally broken by a smooth mid-range jumper from second-year Kentucky shooter Koby Brea. It was an in-rhythm shot that looked crisp coming off his hand.
And then there was Koa Peat. At 6’8” and 245 pounds, he clearly looks like an NBA player. Peat flashed that physicality in transition, spinning his way through the defense and finishing through contact for the and-1.
Phoenix didn’t have many made field goals in the first half. In fact, they only made eight. But it felt like every one of them was impressive. To close out the first half, Maluach threw down a sick alley-oop dunk, followed shortly thereafter by a savage slam from Rasheer Fleming.
When the first half was all said and done, the Suns shot 21% from the field, going 8-of-38 overall and 0-of-13 from beyond the arc. They also committed 10 turnovers.
Maluach led the way with 8 points and 6 rebounds. Fleming added 4 points and 8 rebounds, while Koa Peat finished the half with 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 turnovers. Jameer Nelson Jr. scored 4 points off the bench, all of them from the free-throw line. He was also the only member of the Suns to register a steal, finishing with two.
Phoenix trailed Portland, 38-24, after one half of play.
Second Half
Maluach came out firing in the third quarter, knocking down his first two three-pointers to pull the Suns within 12. Phoenix scored a grand total of 10 points in the first quarter. They matched that total in the first two and a half minutes of the third.
The offense felt much more engaged, although there were still issues with moving the basketball. That’s Summer League for you. Guards often drift away from the confines of the offense, hunting their own points rather than creating quality opportunities for the team. Numerous times, both Maluach and Peat set solid screens and rolled to the basket, only to watch the ball go somewhere else despite being open. Such is Summer League basketball.
Rasheer Fleming put together an unbelievably impressive sequence. On one end, he attacked off the dribble, pulled up, and knocked down a 12-footer. On the other, he stayed disciplined as the Trail Blazers tried to shake him with a spin move, refusing to bite before using his length to block the shot.
What a sequence from Rasheer Fleming.
Off the dribble, pull up jumper on one end. Gets back, stays disciplined, doesn’t bite on the fake, and blocks the shot on the other.
Two way impact. That’s the stuff that gets you excited about his development. pic.twitter.com/cva8IbkO8J
Then Maluach came down and knocked down his third three-pointer of the quarter. All of a sudden, the Suns’ young players were putting on a show.
The defense started putting on a show as well. Active hands created deflections and loose balls, leading to transition opportunities and finally giving the Suns some life.
The end result? After scoring 24 points in the entire first half, Phoenix exploded for 31 points in the third quarter. The Suns shot 10-of-17 from the field and 5-of-9 from beyond the arc, completely changing the complexion of the game.
Maluach scored nine points and grabbed three rebounds in the quarter, while Koa Peat added six points and three boards. After trailing by as many as 17, the Suns entered the fourth quarter down only one, 56-55.
The Suns took the lead to open the fourth quarter on an alley-oop to Maluach. Moments later, he followed it up with a pretty savage dunk over Yang Hansen, adding another highlight to an impressive second half.
MASSIVE block at the rim by Khaman. Timed that drive perfectly and pinned Yang Hansen on the glass
Phoenix continued to play well against Portland, outscoring the Trail Blazers 12-6 through the first half of the fourth quarter. A 12-3 run gave the Suns an eight-point lead with four minutes remaining as they continued to build upon the momentum they created in the third.
Koa Peat’s ability to attack was impressive throughout the game. If he gets inside 15 feet, he’s going at you aggressively, using his strength to create contact and draw fouls. There’s a physicality to the way he plays that immediately stands out, and it’s a nice sight to see.
Koa Peat’s ability to attack has been impressive. Get him inside 15 feet and he’s coming downhill with purpose, using his strength to create contact and draw fouls
The game came down to the final minute, with the Suns holding a one-point lead and 45 seconds remaining. Phoenix’s Javonte Cook delivered what appeared to be the dagger, knocking down his fifth three-pointer of the game to give the Suns some breathing room.
Portland wasn’t finished. After grabbing a pair of offensive rebounds, DJ Steward answered with a three-pointer of his own with 8.5 seconds remaining, pulling the Trail Blazers back within one.
A foul sent Darius Brown II to the free throw line, where he made 1-of-2, giving Portland an opportunity to tie or win the game with 7.8 seconds left. Following a timeout, the Trail Blazers went the length of the floor and got a shot off for the win. It missed.
Phoenix wins, 81-79.
Up Next
Next up for the Summer Suns? The Summer Pelicans. A team that has made a grand total of one transaction all offseason: re-signing DeAndre Jordan. They did have one draft pick this year, Jaron Pierre Jr, drafted 58th overall. They do not have second-year players Jeremiah Fears or Derik Queen on their roster.
The teams tip off at noon on Sunday. See you then!
The Lakers' Adou Thiero scored 20 points during a Vegas Summer League win over the Thunder on Friday night. (Luke Hales / Getty Images)
The highlight dunk was proof that Adou Thiero is just fine. Thiero delivered a breakaway windmill dunk in the second quarter Friday that brought cheers from the fans, a moment in which the second-year Lakers forward displayed his athleticism.
Thiero’s confidence seemed to grow from that point on, his play for the Lakers during their Las Vegas Summer League opener at the Thomas & Mack Center a sign of his development.
He ran the floor and caught a lob for a dunk. He sprinted back on defense and blocked a shot. He finished the third quarter with a last-second shot off the backboard, a basket that gave the Lakers an 86-66 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Thiero came back in the game in the fourth quarter and threw down another lob dunk.
Thiero completed his night with 20 points during the Lakers’ 96-84 win.
He played an all-around game, collecting four rebounds, three steals and two blocks with zero turnovers in 30 minutes. He was seven for 12 from the field. He missed all five of his three-pointers, but Thiero finished the game plus-13.
Thiero played after missing the Lakers’ final game at the California Classic in San Francisco because of a right wrist injury.
First-round pick Cameron Carr also played against the Thunder after being limited by a bothersome toenail during the California Classic finale. Carr had another solid game with 18 points on seven-for-13 shooting.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Nate Johnson #31 of the Oklahoma City Thunder plays defense during the game against Adou Thiero #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers on July 10, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers began Las Vegas Summer League with a 96-84 win over the Thunder and looked good doing so.
Cameron Carr was getting it done on both ends and appeared too good for this level of play. Adou Thiero had some mesmerizing dunks, and with some great defensive plays from Chris Mañon, that’s how the Lakers began their time in Nevada with a win.
The Lakers jumped out to a 9-5 advantage early on. Mañon continued to demonstrate his on-ball defense, which led to a few early turnovers by the Thunder.
OKC countered with a 5-0 run to regain the lead. The Thunder remained hot from the field, making six of their first seven baskets. The Lakers, on the other hand, were shooting 45% from the field and were 1-5 from deep.
Carr put the Lakers back in front by drilling LA’s second three of the night with a little over three minutes left in the opening quarter.
Carr then displayed his defensive game with a pair of impressive blocks.
After one quarter of play, LA was in front 24-23.
The Lakers lead the Thunder 24-23 after one quarter of play. Cameron Carr leads all scorers with 7 points. He also has a game-high two blocks. An impressive Las Vegas Summer League start for the rookie.
The Lakers remained in control to start the second quarter. Peter Suder knocked down a three, and LA’s other two-way player, AK Okereke, made his first basket of the game.
Midway through the period, Anton Watson drove to the basket and scored, giving the Lakers a four-point lead.
Brooks Barnhizer had a highlight-worthy dunk for the Thunder, but then Thiero saw that and raised the stakes with a slam of his own. Moments later, he had a monster windmill dunk extending LA’s lead to nine.
In the third quarter, LA’s dominance continued. Carr scored with ease from the elbow, and thanks to a nice putback by Hickey, the Lakers maintained their double-digit advantage.
After a pass from Thiero resulted in a three by Hickey, the Lakers were up by 15, their largest lead of the night.
The rest of the third was all LA. Carr and Thiero converted on lob dunks and the Thunder were unable to close the gap. After three quarters of play, LA was up by 20 points.
With the Lakers so far in front, the game was all but over. Fans started a “We want Robbie” chant for Robbie Avila and the rest of the contest was glorified cardio. The Thunder never went on any kind of serious run, and the Lakers earned the win.
Key Player Stats:
Carr had 18 points, and two blocks. Thiero had a team-high 20 points. Arthur Kaluma ended the night with 18 points.
The Lakers’ next game will be against the Mavericks on Saturday at 7:00 PM PT.
LAS VEGAS — Mikel Brown Jr.’s Las Vegas Summer League debut featured a slow start, a strong finish and all kinds of spectacular plays in between Friday night.
The Nets’ rookie lottery pick paired with second-year backcourt mate Egor Dëmin to lead Brooklyn’s 91-65 rout of the Knicks at Thomas & Mack Center.
The guards shared team-high scoring honors with 20 points.
But after Dëmin had carried the Nets early as Brown found his way into the game, the latter poured in 16 points after halftime, drawing “oohs” and “ahhs” with several highlights.
Mikel Brown Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket during the game against the New York Knicks during the 2026 NBA Summer League on July 10, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NBAE via Getty Images
“Seeing my teammates, getting them open shots, seeing the ball go through the hoop obviously gets you going as well. But I know how much work I put in to get to this point,” said Brown. “The ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ are coming just because that’s just how I play.
“Yeah, I mean, like I said, I’m a savant when it comes to this stuff, man. I love the game of basketball. I love when my teammates look successful. It brings me joy because that means it’s not just me, but everybody got it going.”
Brown shot 6-for-12, including 3-for-6 from 3-point range. He added three assists, two steals and a block.
“He’s extremely talented overall,” said Dëmin. “His shooting ability, his ability to create his own shot, and how shifty he is, he’s gonna give a lot of trouble to the defenders just because of his feel for the game and his talent. Now the part of his game is to adapt to the physicality, which took me a while last year.”
… We’re gonna do everything we have [to] for it to happen as fast as possible.”
Brown insisted that won’t take long. And he played feisty defense that helped spark Brooklyn’s third-quarter blitz.
Mikel Brown Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets dunks the ball. NBAE via Getty Images
The Nets trailed by a point going into the second quarter and edged ahead 38-33 by halftime. But they blew the game open in the third.
Brooklyn blitzed the Knicks 30-9 in that period, holding them to 2-for-15 shooting with six turnovers. Brown’s nine points, three assists and a steal in the fourth helped the Nets blow it open.
The sixth overall pick has made it a point to prove he can hold his own on the defensive end.
“Yeah. absolutely. I really do feel like that I can defend; like, I really do feel like I’m not a liability,” said Brown.
“People put that burden on me, like, all his physicality and stuff like that. At the end of the day, man, mano a mano, you ain’t finna score on me. That’s just my mentality. And that’s how I carry it.”
Chaney Johnson had 11 points, nine boards and a 3-pointer, finishing +35 playing center at just 6-7.
Rookie Joshua Jefferson hasn’t been able to practice with the Nets, but did workouts to stay sharp. Now that the Julius Randle trade that brought Jefferson to Brooklyn has been made official, coach Dutch Gailey said he’s hopeful the first-round pick can debut Saturday today against Atlanta.
LAS VEGAS — Mohamed Diawara wasn’t in the mood to talk about his new contract. Or his potential.
His performance in Friday’s Summer League opener — a 91-65 defeat against the Nets — was such a dud that the bigger picture was out of focus.
“I got to do way better. At the level we played last season, I got to do way better,” Diawara said. “I can’t play like I played today.”
Indeed, Diawara was a massive disappointment Friday, shooting 1-for-9 — including 1-for-7 from beyond the arc — as the Knicks were outscored by 39 points in his 23 minutes.
Mohamed Diawara of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets during the 2026 NBA Summer League on July 10, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NBAE via Getty Images
Diawara, who this week signed a multiyear contract after his promising rookie season, was one of two players on the Summer League roster on a standard NBA deal.
The other was Pacôme Dadiet, who scored 20 points but was an inefficient 1-for-7 on 3s.
“I think they struggled a little bit. We talk about responding to adversity, we got to respond to adversity,” Knicks Summer League coach TJ Saint said. “They have to respond to adversity tomorrow. They struggled a little bit. They let little things affect them on the defensive end and then it kind of snowballed. So we got to be better. It’s on those two guys and Dillon Jones and me to be better.”
Diawara showed enough promise last season to warrant a fresh four-year, $11.2 million deal.
Still, only the first two seasons are guaranteed and Diawara will have to fight for a rotation spot.
As it stands, he’s low on the projected wing rotation behind OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson.
New York Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara drives to the basket during a game last season. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
Diawara offers a unique element because of his 7-foot wingspan, but he understands playing time will require better than Friday’s ugliness.
“Got to be better. I got to work more,” Diawara said. “If I keep working, I will get better. I see a good future but I got to keep going. keep working to be at that level.”
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Allen Graves #22 of the Toronto Raptors plays defense during the game against the Boston Celtics on July 10, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Here are our grades after the Toronto Raptors fell to the Boston Celtics 83-80 in Summer League.
This was a massive debut for those who believed in Graves. The concerns about his athleticism and his lack of experience against elite competition quickly dissipated. Within the first five minutes of the game, Graves recorded four points, two rebounds, and one steal, while throwing down a contested dunk on a backdoor cut.
Graves authored a plethora of brilliant defensive moments, but three stuck out in particular, with two of them involving Chris Cenac Jr. as a dance partner. The first instance occurred in the first half, with Cenac attempting to face-up and take Graves one-on-one in the right corner. Graves got down into his defensive stance and poked the ball away as soon as Cenac made a move to the basket. Late in the second half, Graves smothered Cenac after he crossed half-court. Even with Cenac desperately trying to hold him off, Graves poked the ball loose before finishing the possession with a dunk.
A third example occurred when Graves turned the ball over as the inbounder. Instead of panicking, he walled up on defence, blocked the ensuing shot attempt, and got the possession back for the Raptors.
While Graves struggled with his three-point shot early in the game, he flashed a promising tendency to meet big moments. The 19-year-old hit two clutch three-pointers late in the fourth quarter, with the second triple extending Toronto’s lead to 75-71. The Raptors often had Graves in the corner, but when the game hung in the balance, the coaching staff involved the rookie in more pick-and-pop actions.
As someone who Raptors fans hope becomes an elite role player – for the 19th pick in the draft – Graves has an obvious engine that he supercharges during critical moments. During the final possession of the game, he was solely responsible for reviving the Raptors’ chances.
He’ll make a fascinating watch for the rest of Summer League.
Nate Bittle: A-
8 points, 10 rebounds, 6 blocks, 42.8 FG%, 40 3P%
Raptors fans are naturally going to show interest in Bittle, especially after recording six blocks by halftime. Toronto desperately needs size in its organization and the 23-year-old rookie offers that. Outside of the three-point volume, Bittle aesthetically moves and operates like Jakob Poeltl.
While Bittle didn’t look vertically or laterally intimidating, he consistently leveraged his size and IQ to make plays at the rim. Bittle’s three-pointer with less than two minutes in the game to put the Raptors up 72-71 was a great moment.
Jamarion Sharp: B+
0 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 4 blocks
There’s size and length in the NBA, and then there’s what Sharp has. At 7’5, the reigning G League Defensive Player of the Year has an undeniable presence on the floor. While Sharp didn’t get a chance to show any improvements to his offensive touch, he had no problems displaying what he does best – wreck havoc on the defensive end.
It’ll be fun to watch how Sharp progresses throughout the rest of the tournament.
Jaden Bradley: C
3 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 11.1 FG%
Bradley was relied on for a significant amount of the ball-handling duties, likely benefiting from Alijah Martin missing the game due to knee soreness. Unfortunately, Bradley missed his first five shots. Bradley finally recorded his first points as a professional when he converted on an and-1 at the 3:58 mark of the third quarter.
The second-round rookie appeared to struggle against full-court pressure and the Celtics’ tenacious on-ball defence. However, Bradley has demonstrated an ability to navigate under pressure during his collegiate career, so expect him to improve as he gets more comfortable. Toss this one out and look forward to the next one!
Chucky Hepburn: C
11 points, 5 assists, 1 steal, 25 FG%, 11.1 3P%
Hepburn visibly looks comfortable with the ball in his hand, especially compared to his counterparts. He played at a pro-level pace and never felt rushed by defenders. The issue was when Hepburn attempted to put the ball in the basket. The most obvious path to rotational minutes on the main roster is as a three-and-D type of guard off the bench. Hepburn knocked down a much-needed triple with the Raptors down 52-51 near the end of the third quarter, but he’ll need to be more consistent for the rest of Summer League to carry good vibes into pre-season.
“It’s all love in Miami,” according to Tyler Herro.
The new Bucks guard was asked about his departure from the Heat after a physical altercation with Bam Adebayo — but before it was reported — and said both sides are “super happy” about their new situations.
The interview came during the Bucks-Heat NBA Summer League game, which Herro attended, and he interacted with multiple members of the Heat while taking in the game.
“It’s all love in Miami,” Herro said on the Prime Video broadcast. “I’ve seen a couple of the guys, coaching staff, Chris Quinn, [Erik Spoelstra], the front office guys; we are all good in Miami. Just an opportunity for both sides to reset, get a fresh start, and both are super happy with this.”
Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat look on against the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter at Kaseya Center on December 12, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Getty Images
Adebayo then walked up to Herro, punching him without hesitation.
According to The Athletic, one of Herro’s AAU coaches confronted the Heat center while Herro was being escorted from the scene by security personnel.
Adebayo also left on his own accord.
“We are aware and not commenting,” the Heat said in a statement to ESPN.
Tyler Herro of the Milwaukee Bucks attends a game between the Bucks and the Heat. NBAE via Getty Images
The Bucks had no comment.
Herro and Adebayo played on the Heat together for the last seven years, with no reports of a foul relationship.
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) brings the ball up court against the New York Knicks during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
The post was a graphic of players with the worst field goal percentage from midrange, with Antetokounmpo first on the list, shooting 26.8 percent. Adebayo was 10th, shooting 35.9 percent.
Direct messages were then also leaked that allegedly showed Herro talking poorly of Adebayo’s defense.
Herro did not specifically name-drop Adebayo in the alleged messages.
Julius Randle drives to the basket during the Timberwolves' November 2025 game.
LAS VEGAS — Julius Randle sees the similarity between joining these rebuilding Nets and when he first helped guide the Knicks from the lottery to the playoffs.
But this time he says he’s a better leader.
And a better player.
And better equipped to help this young team make that climb.
“There’s definitely similarities for sure,” said Randle, 31. “Each [situation] is different. It has its own different challenges. I’m definitely ready to step up to this one. This will be exciting. But it’s definitely similar.
“And for me, I have a lot more experience now than I did when I was that player. So I feel like from a leadership standpoint, I can help a lot more, just being through it and having that experience.”
The four-team trade that brought Randle — along with rookie Joshua Jefferson — became official on Friday.
Julius Randle drives to the basket during the Timberwolves’ November 2025 game against the Knicks. Charles Wenzelberg
Without control of their own pick, the Nets don’t intend for a third.
That’s why they added a floor-raiser like Randle, who has a $35.8 million player option for next season.
“They’re really excited to have me here. Jordi [Fernandez] is really excited. He feels like going into every game, we’ve got a chance to win every single game,” Randle said. “To have that confidence from your coach is amazing. … I get to come in and be a leader, show guys how to be a pro.
“We’re coming in trying to win. It’s as simple as that. However we can help give the younger guys experience and confidence and help them fast-track or whatever it is to contribute to winning basketball, that’s really all that matters. All I care about, at the end of the day, is winning, and I know that’s what those guys care about. If I can help give them that experience, great.”
Randle had less experience when he first came to New York in 2019-20, joining a Knicks team that was coming off a sorry 17-65 season.
Two years later they were 41-31 and fourth in the East.
The bruising forward became one of the league’s more reliable regular season scorers, before being the centerpiece in a trade that brought Karl-Anthony Towns.
Now, after Brooklyn suffered through consecutive lottery seasons to get rookie Mikel Brown Jr. and second-year guard Egor Dëmin, Randle can help them level up.
Whether he’s a Net long-term or is flipped again, he will help them.
Julius Randle moves the ball during the Timberwolves’ November 2025 game against the Knicks. Charles Wenzelberg
“He’s experienced being around many different teams and playing in the different levels of the different stages of the season and playoffs,” Dëmin said. “He brings an amazing knowledge. And he seems a great person.”
Randle averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 boards and five assists last season for Minnesota.
For a Nets team focusing indexing on playmakers and ball movement, Randle’s passing should accentuate Brown and Demin’s and play into that.
“I really enjoy getting guys going: pushing the pace, kick-aheads, opening the floor, getting to the paint, spraying the basketball,” Randle said. “It’s about us building our chemistry, knowing where guys like the ball, what spots they want the ball in, guys understanding me and what I’m looking for. It’s going to be fun.”
Randle’s exit from Minnesota was anything but, a three-point 1-of-8 nightmare in their playoff ouster after he had struggled down the stretch.
Many opined that he’d been distracted after his name surfaced in trade rumors for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
But when asked Friday, Randle took the high road.
“It feels great to be here. It’s a great opportunity,” Randle said. “It’s a city I’m already really familiar with; it’s a situation that I’m familiar with. Then, there’s a lot of talent.
“As far as the trade stuff, man, I’m 13 years in, bro. I played in New York already; so you hear that stuff all the time. I’m used to that. It just is what it is. You ride the wave of it. At the end of the day, I’m playing basketball and I’m doing what I love for a living. So, it’s all I ask for.”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 10: Caleb Wilson #8 of the Chicago Bulls is guarded by Cameron Boozer #27 of the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half of a 2026 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If there’s one thing that UNC fans learned about Caleb Wilson immediately, it is that he takes slights very personally. Ever since his UNC career abruptly ended, media outlets twisted themselves into pretzels finding ways to claim that he did not have what it takes to be drafted higher than Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, and Darryn Peterson. Well, last night he did what he does best: he took things personally yet again, and put on an incredible show against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Wilson finished his NBA Summer League debut with a record-breaking 35 points, five rebounds, two steals, and three blocks. It would be impressive enough to point out that he did all of this without throwing down a single dunk, but it gets crazier than that — Wilson went 7 of 11 from the three-point line. After being told that he can’t shoot all spring, the former Tar Heel went bonkers from deep, and even finished the game by hitting a Steph Curry-like buzzer beater to cut the Bulls deficit to one point to end the game.
Wilson proved that he is far from a one-dimensional player by knocking down shots on all three levels of the floor, but he made it his mission to torture the Grizzles from the three-point line specifically. He showed off a little bit of his passing as well, but he didn’t show off what UNC fans know he’s capable of. On the defensive side of the ball, he had a couple of nasty blocks, and was able to pick a couple of pockets for good measure.
When it comes to things that didn’t go as well, Wilson coughed up the ball six times. One turnover was particularly bad, but he made up for it by nearly giving himself a concussion blocking a shot at the rim. He also forced the issue a few times on offense, but to be fair, some of his teammates did too. Jaylin Sellers dominated the ball near the end of the game when Wilson was trying to break the Summer League debut record, and the results were pretty embarrassing. But it’s clear that two things about Wilson are true: he’s a bit raw in some areas, but he’s also a really, really good basketball player.
This game was hyped up as a #3 vs. #4 matchup between Wilson and Cameron Boozer, and ultimately the Tar Heel came out on top. Boozer finished his night with 23 points, six rebounds, four assists, four turnovers, a steal, a block, and seven fouls. Yes, you read that correctly — apparently you get 10 fouls during Summer League play, so for all intents and purposes Boozer unofficially fouled out. It is worth pointing out yet again that Wilson takes things very personally, and the result was him showing up his Blue Devil counterpart yet again.
Overall, Wilson’s Summer League debut couldn’t have gone any better, and one can only imagine what else he has in store for Bulls (and UNC) fans for the remainder of the schedule. The next game is Monday night at 9 PM ET against the Utah Jazz.
To wrap things up, I wanted to share my favorite reaction to Wilson’s performance:
Today at Thomas and Mack, I saw God disguised as Caleb Wilson
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Chris Cenac Jr. #12 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the game against the Toronto Raptors on July 10, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Summer Celtics took on the Toronto Raptors in the 9pm slot at the Pavilion, Las Vegas Friday night. Game 1 of the 2026 Summer League tournament. The first half was awful as both teams struggled from the field, but the second half provided
Celtics fans got a first chance to take a look at Chris Cenac Jr and Dillon Mitchell as they both made pro debuts. Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams return to Vegas for their second year in green. Boston started Amari Williams, Dillon Mitchell, Hugo Gonzalez, with John Tonje and Curtis Jones in back court. Toronto started off the more cohesive of the two sides taking an early 7-0 lead.
Amari Williams hit his single free throw for two points under the newly implemented G-League rules to get Boston on the board, but the team did not have a field goal until the 5-minute mark, as Hugo splashed home a corner triple, Tonje with the look ahead assist. Rookie Dillon Mitchell showed his athleticism with a massive chase down block, and had to duck under the rim after, as he was that elevated.
First round pick Chris Cenac Jr. checked into the game for Amari Williams, strange to see the 26th pick not start for the team’s first Summer League game. Cenac made an immediate impact with a big tomahawk throw down dunk, Boston back in the game 10-14.
Amile Jefferson was handed the Summer League coaching duties for the first time for Boston and I’m sure the Celtics media scrum will ask why they didn’t start the big man who fell to them in the draft. Amari checked back into the contest alongside Cenac Jr. as the team went double big.
Toronto had 7 foot 5 inch big man Jamarion Sharp who provided quite the interior presence for the Raps. Amari had a brilliant help block on Brandon Angel, Cenac dunked it home down the other end as the Boston bench was up shouting their approval. Boston shot just 23 percent from the field to start the game, as the Raptor led the game by 2 points, 14-16.
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 10: Hugo González #28 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during the game against the Toronto Raptors on July 10, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Milos Uzan, Hank Morgan, Amari Williams, Hugo Gonzalez and Chris Cenac Jr. started the second quarter for Boston as Jayson Tatum appeared court side to watch the young players. Tatum was courtside along with Derrick White, Jordan Walsh and Neemias Queta. Dillon Mitchell finally got on the scoreboard as he skied for a back door alley oop. Hugo Gonzalez was back to his best, throwing himself around the court, he got bodied hard by big man Sharp midway through the second quarter hitting the deck.
Boston registered 11 turnovers in the first half and continued to shoot poorly at just 15 percent. The Summer Celtics struggled to put the ball in the basket, as the Raptors had 10 blocks and counting through just 20 minutes. Boston had 17 straight throughout the second quarter.
Coach Mazzulla was in the building to watch the new players from the sidelines chatting it up with Alabama head coach Nate Oates. Dillon Mitchell finally converted a bucket for Boston to break the scoring drought and he also woke up the crowd with an athletic put back dunk in transition. Boston down somehow by just 8 points, 26-34 in a dreadful first half performance.
Boston started the second half picking up the Raptors full court, that immediately resulted in a turnover. Tonje nailed a corner three. Hugo found Amari for a neat assist on the interior, Mitchell snagged a Raptor pass as the Celtics were showing signs of fight. Amari Williams attacked the paint once more and drew a foul for the hoop and harm, he led the C’s with 12 points. John Tonje hit his second three of the game to cut the Toronto lead to 5 points.
Boston was playing much harder in the second half, but the Summer League squad was chasing the scoreboard and Toronto kept the pressure on. Chris Cenac Jr. had a crazy ambitious put back dunk attempt from the middle of the key and laid out his team mate and fellow rookie Dillon Mitchell on the play.
Hugo and Amari were clicking for Boston in the third quarter as the pair were cutting up the Toronto defenders. John Tonje showed his shooting touch to hit his fourth triple of the night to cut it to three points, 48-51. Amari was on heater, he converted his eighteenth point of the game as Boston finally took their first lead of the game.
Boston outscored the Raptors by eight in the quarter highlighted by a 14-3 run as the scores ended tied after three at 54. Cenac Jr. showed his outside touch with his first three-pointer of the game. The Rookie followed that up with two illegal screens and was sent to the bench.
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 10: Chris Cenac Jr. #12 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball during the game against the Toronto Raptors on July 10, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Raptors jumped back out to a 5 point lead to start the fourth quarter as Boston got a touch careless. Tonje was fouled shooting a three and converted the single free throw for 3 points. Cenac Jr. checked back in the contest and immediately drew a foul running the floor in transition, Boston back 64-64.
Amari Williams hit his 20th point of the game as the Summer Celtics retook the lead. Boston in the midst of a 7-0 run and followed that play forcing a 24-second violation which drew applause from the Tatum and Walsh courtside.
Cenac Jr. drove baseline on Graves and layed it in for Boston he had 11 points, 68-67. Both teams traded buckets down the stretch as we headed into the final minute with a one point game. Graves hit a triple, Tonje responded as Boston was down one point 74-75 with 29 seconds to go in the game. Cenac Jr. hit a triple with 0.8 seconds to go off a broken play. Cenac Jr.’s triple forced overtime in Las Vegas.
After a bonkers fourth quarter, the lead changed hands eight times, Jefferson started Cenac Jr., Amari Williams, John Tonje, Hugo Gonzalez and Milos Uzan in overtime. Hugo gave the C’s a lead 81-80 from the line. John Tonje provided one of the plays of the game though, as he stole the ball and went coast to coast for the two-handed dunk and the game winning basket. Boston prevail in overtime 83-80. Boston next play the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 16: Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat and Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat celebrate during the second half of the 2025 SoFi Play-In...
The altercation between the two occurred at the gym inside Resorts World Casino in front of a Herro-run AAU basketball team, The Athletic reported Friday night.
The outlet added that Adebayo started yelling at his former Heat teammate before punching him.
Herro was escorted away by security as both left on their own, according to the report.
Herro is the CEO of an eponymous AAU program that includes both girls’ and boys’ teams.
It’s not clear which team was on the court when the reported incident took place, but The Athletic noted a coach did confront Adenayo during the scuffle.
The Heat and Bucks told various outlets they were aware of the reported incident.
Herro, who was the centerpiece for the Bucks in the blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo trade with the Heat earlier in July, happened to be in attendance for the NBA Summer League game between the two teams on Friday night.
Before the incident became news, Herro spoke to the Prime Video broadcast about his time in Miami.
Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat celebrate in happier times. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
“It’s all love. It’s all love in Miami. I’ve seen a couple of the guys, and the coaching staff,” Herro said. “Chris Quinn, [Erik Spoelstra], front office guys. We are all good in Miami and just the opportunity for both sides to reset, get a fresh start and we’re both super happy for this.
“An organization like Miami, they want championships, they play for championships. It’s part of the business. I know how good I am, what I am capable of. I just got to continue to keep working and try to stay healthy and represent this new team how I am supposed to.”
Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat and Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat during the first half against the Chicago Bulls on February 4, 2025 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
ESPN, which first reported the fight, said Herro’s posts about Adebayo were the impetus for things.
Herro, following the trade, took to his Instagram Story and posted a graphic of the lowest field-goal percentages on midrange shots in the NBA, a stat that included both Adebayo and Antetokounmpo.
Recently, direct messages were leaked that allegedly showed Herro calling out Adebayo’s defensive skills.
The two played seven years together in Miami.
The NBA regular season schedule hasn’t been announced, but the first meeting between the Heat and Bucks should have some extra juice.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 08: Bam Adebayo #13 celebrates with Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat after scoring a three-pointer against the Detroit Pistons during the second quarter at Kaseya Center on March 08, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Per The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Joe Vardon, Eric Nehm, and Jon Krawczynski, Tyler Herro and the Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo were involved in a physical altercation in Las Vegas on Friday morning that stemmed from social media comments Herro made about the Heat centre. More on that later.
“The incident took place at a gym inside the Resorts World Casino in front of an AAU team run by Herro. According to multiple sources who witnessed the incident and who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter, Adebayo walked onto the courts and Herro said something to him.
“Adebayo approached Herro and, without hesitation, punched him. Herro’s AAU coach confronted Adebayo, and Herro yelled at his former teammate while being escorted out by security personnel. Both players left the scene on their own,” members of The Athletic wrote.
Now, Herro appeared courtside at the Bucks Summer League game against the Miami Heat, ironically—which they lost 119-86—and even did an interview in which he did not appear to be too badly injured (I mean, I watched the broadcast before I saw this news, and I’d have been none the wiser). For reference, this was him at the game:
Maybe some discolouration in his right eye area? Looks like some makeup did the job?
Anyway, regarding Herro’s social media comments that reportedly upset Adebayo, here’s the deal: a text thread from an Instagram account that appears to be connected to Herro—called wonderdidit, for those interested—with a Heat fan was leaked. In this text thread, Herro appears to question whether Adebayo is worthy of the contracts he has signed.
Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel asked Herro about the alleged incident: “my only comment is no comment.”
Both teams are aware of the situation but have thus far declined to comment, per The Athletic.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 07: A basketball is placed on the court next to an NBA logo during a break in the first half of a 2023 NBA Summer League game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Houston Rockets at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 07, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 25: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers controls the ball against Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors in the second half at Intuit Dome on March 25, 2026 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
During Summer League action between the Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics, Scottie Barnes appeared on the ESPN broadcast (NBA TV Canada). At one point in the sideline interview, Barnes was asked about the potential addition of Kawhi Leonard.
Barnes immediately thought of the potential defence.
“We’re trying to take candy from a baby,” said Barnes.
Toronto’s defensive rating of 112.1 ranked fifth-best during last season. Barnes was a big reason for that, as the dynamic forward was named to the All-Defensive Second-Team for his efforts.
“Seems very dangerous,” said Barnes. “We’ve got people everywhere on the floor, every position, that’s ready to guard.”
“We know what Kawhi can do out there. He’s going to fit right in.”
