LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Meleek Thomas #15 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high fives teammate during the game against the Indiana Pacers on July 10, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion 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 Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers weren’t able to pull out a win in their first Summer League game against the Indiana Pacers on Friday, but there were plenty of good things to take away from the loss. Mainly, the strong play of Meleek Thomas and Nae’Qwan Tomlin.
Thomas, the 34th overall pick in this most recent draft, scored 20 points on 7-14 shooting. This included Thomas going 2-5 from deep. The scoring touch that the Cavs were talking about after the draft showed through in his first game.
Tomlin looked like an NBA player in Friday’s loss. That’s mostly all that you want to see from a player of his caliber in this environment.
Malaki Branham also performed well, putting up 15 points on 4-8 shooting in the loss. He’s a player to keep your eye on throughout Summer League and possibly the training camp process.
One player you would like to see a nice bounce back from is Tristan Enaruna. Enaruna is on a two-way contract with the Cavs and showed great strides as a shooter throughout the previous G League season with the Charge. That didn’t show through on Friday as he went 1-7 from the field and was limited to just six minutes of play. We’ll see if he can turn it around on Sunday.
The Buffalo Sabres could go a number of different ways as the NHL is in the midst of trade season following the NHL Draft and the opening of free agency on July 1. With the departure of winger Alex Tuch and defenseman Bowen Byram, GM Jarmo Kekalainen is expected to seek out offensive reinforcements to make up for the 44 goals lost by their departures.
Over the next few weeks, we will continue to look at potential options for the Sabres. Some of the possibilities are not going to match Tuch’s stats, but any additions could provide some relief to the pressure that youngsters Konsta Helenius, Jiri Kulich, or Noah Ostlund will be under to make up the deficit.
Kekalainen ideally would like to make up as much of the 60-to-70 point production that he lost with Tuch, and another possibility is someone who would offer more offensive punch, Detroit Red Wings winger Alex Debrincat. The 28-year-old is coming off a career-high 85-point season with the Wings, but his contract situation and where the club is going may have GM Steve Yzerman in a trade posture with him.
DeBrincat was originally a second round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2016, and has been remarkably consistent in nine NHL seasons, scoring over 20 goals eight times; included a career-high 41 goals in 2019, 2022, and last season. The diminutive winger led Detroit with 15 power play goals, and would be able to fill the role of Tuch on the Sabres first unit.
Sabres extend Zach Benson for seven years
Detroit may be at a crossroads, with team captain Dylan Larkin asking for a trade, and future Hall-of-Famer Patrick Kane heading elsewhere. There has been chatter that the Wings may reset, moving off Larkin and DeBrincat for younger NHL talent and building around younger core players Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond. DeBrincat is entering the final year of a four-year deal with the Wings at $7.875 million AAV and has a 16-team no-trade list; facts that could mitigate the return Yzerman can extract from other teams.
The odds of the Wings getting NHL-ready players back are better if he is traded before the season, whereas a trade closer to the deadline will likely yield more futures. This would suit the Sabres needs perfectly, as they are in a weaker position without Tuch and Bowen Byram’s scoring abilities. One potential factor in a possible DeBrincat trade is the status of Kane, who has been his linemate in Chicago and Detroit.
If Kane signs with Buffalo, it is possible that DeBrincat would waive his no-trade clause to go to the Sabres, or vice-versa. Unlike free agents like Anthony Mantha or Anaheim’s Chris Kreider, DeBrincat’s acquisition would not come cheaply. Yzerman in his haste to quickly reset the Wings may ask for young NHLers like Konsta Helenius or Noah Ostlund, but Kekalainen might be able to construct a deal around winger Jack Quinn, who is signed through next season at $3.375 million and is under control for the next two seasons.
The Celtics outlasted the Raptors, 83-80, in an overtime thriller Friday night in Las Vegas. Amari Williams led the way with an emphatic 23 points and 13 rebounds. John Tonje contributed 20 on five 3-pointers, and Hugo González was far from efficient, but provided 17 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists in 37 minutes.
Rookie Chris Cenac Jr. (14 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks) buried a corner 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds remaining to tie it. It wasn’t always pretty from the Celtics, but they hit their stride as the game progressed and saved their best for last.
Here are 15 thoughts on their debut:
1. Summer League is electric.
Let’s start with a general, all-encompassing thought: real basketball lovers have an absolute blast watching Summer League. It’s so much fun evaluating these guys as they fight for their professional lives and try to prove they belong. The defense is impressive, the hustle is there and the passion is undeniable.
2. Amile Jefferson deserves this opportunity.
Amile Jefferson pushed all the right buttons down the stretch in this one. He has a unique perspective because he was once in their shoes, on the cusp of making the NBA and desperately trying to get there. Jefferson and Cenac Jr. have somewhat similar games (not the same, but there’s some overlap), so it helps to have him there to mentor him.
3. It was nice to see the veterans show their support.
It’s always cool when the players on the NBA roster come watch the young guys. When you see Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Neemias Queta, and Jordan Walsh in the stands, that gives you an extra jolt. A little team bonding never hurts, even in July.
The Summer League Celtics celebrate with Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and the rest of the Celtics after an overtime win pic.twitter.com/1O1g7kBmJ7
The Celtics figured it out as they went, but it wouldn’t be accurate to call this one pristine from start to finish. They struggled with Toronto’s ball pressure in the first half and seemed to be sped up, often driving into double teams and getting caught in the air. This can happen sometimes in Summer League, because everyone plays with desperation, but it will be interesting to monitor how they come out to start the next few games.
5. Then, they figured it out, and it was a joy to watch.
The Celtics had just 40 points with 3:48 left in the third. Tonje buried a triple to cut the deficit to 8, then they took that momentum and ran with it. They scored more points in the final 16 minutes (43) than they did the first 26 (40). Credit to the players and coaches for meeting the moment.
6. The rookie had the play of the game.
Cenac Jr. already has a signature moment, and it only took him one game. His former college teammate, Milos Uzan, deserves praise as well for splitting two defenders and spraying the ball to him on the money in the corner. Cenac Jr. timed it well, got his feet set and fired away. The result was pure, and it kept the Celtics alive. He impressed all night as a rebounder, rim runner and floor spacer. I see the vision and why they picked him.
It seems like Tonje maximizes each opportunity that comes his way. He’s always ready to shoot and frequently hits pivotal shots at key moments. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him carve out more of a role in the next couple years, whether it’s with the Celtics or a different team.
8. Amari Williams showcased his college skill set.
It can be difficult to come into an NBA came and show your true skill set in just a few minutes. In an extended run Friday, as a leader of the group, Williams played like he did in college. He’s a better passer than people realize and operates effectively out of the high post as an adept decision maker. Williams finished with conviction inside and also displayed impressive touch.
What a showing by Amari Williams in Las Vegas today:
9. Is Hugo OK? It looks like a bowling ball fell on his arm.
Seriously, what happened? That bruise was huge. Maybe it affected his shot more than we realize. Who knows? González had kind of a funny game, and it was definitely a mixed bag. He almost looked like a kid who had too much sugar and didn’t know how to react. But give him credit, too. As the game progressed, he realized his shot wasn’t falling and decided to attack the basket. He also thrived as a rebounder and passer all night and put his teammates in ideal positions.
10. Dillon Mitchell is a heck of an athlete.
The rumors are true. Dillon Mitchell can really get up there. He’s a blur in transition, plays hard defensively and is more athletic than almost everyone who stands in his way. The next steps for him are obvious: develop some moves, work on his jump shot and improve his decision making. If he’s able to make strides in those areas, watch out. Even if he’s not, he’s a weapon because of his bounce.
11. I was surprised to see Alondes Williams struggle.
Alondes Williams was a super fun player to watch in college and I’ve always admired his game. When I saw he was on the Summer League roster, I thought it would be a chance for him to prove himself and showcase the versatility that makes him sparkle. It didn’t happen Friday, but he still has time, so don’t be surprised if he figures it out in the games to come.
12. Milos Uzan has elite feel for the game.
Uzan is another guy I really liked watching in college. He’s a true floor general, plays with Houston tenacity and is a better shooter than he gets credit for. Uzan had some decent looks that just didn’t go down, and he finished a game-high plus-17 with five assists in 30 minutes. With all due respect to old friend Max Shulga, I give Uzan an edge in nearly every category. Keep an eye on him as well.
13. I really like Allen Graves.
Sorry, a quick non-Celtics note. Raptors forward Allen Graves is legit. He’s 6 feet, 9 inches, can really shoot it and has a great feel for the game. He was a steal at No. 19, and I think he has a chance to blossom into the No. 3 or No. 4 option on a contender in his prime.
14. I don’t like the one free throw for two points trial run.
Call me old-fashioned, but I think players should get two or three free throws every time they step to the line. What is this one attempt for two points garbage? I get why they’re trying it, and it does speed up the game a bit, but I don’t think it works. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but that’s my two-cents.
The one free throw rule will be tested at the upcoming NBA summer leagues.
With this rule, any foul that would typically result in one, two or three free throws under standard NBA rules will instead result in a single free throw attempt. That attempt will be worth the same… pic.twitter.com/tFiOpJLnQW
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 1: Payton Pritchard #11 and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics high five during the game against the Milwaukee Bucksduring the 2026 NBA Pioneers Classic on February 1, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
We get it. After last playoff’s early exit collapse after a 3-1 lead over Philadelphia and then trading Jaylen Brown to the 76ers, it’s been a rough couple of months and weeks. But hey, we’ve got actual games, albeit Summer League, and we’re back!
As our rookies and sophomores continue to tear it up on the Strip, we’ve started to look forward to next season. With a handful of veteran additions, we asked our readers about some big questions heading into training camp in September: Could Payton Pritchard regain his starting spot for good? Does Mitchell Robinson start over the incumbent Neemias Queta? Would it make sense to make Paul George our next great sixth man?
In fifty games as a starter last season, Pritchard averaged nearly 17 points and five assists. Coming off the bench? Seventeen points and five assists. Outside of a higher shooting percentage from 3 (43% vs. 35%), Pritchard was the picture of consistency for Boston and his role could be the most malleable of the Celtics key rotation players.
Yahoo Sports’ Tom Haberstroh made an early offseason observation that “the Celtics trading Brown is a bet that Pritchard is their in-house version of New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, a diminutive player who didn’t fully show his talents until Luka Dončić was out of the picture.” We got a glimpse of that last year. but with two years left on his team-friendly contract, he’s eligible for a contract extension. A step-up in responsibility could lead to higher production and ultimately, a nice payday for PP.
But maybe we’re getting ahead of ourselves. If you’re watching the squad out in Sin City, our friends at FanDuel have the Summer Cs as +4.5 underdogs against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.
May 6, 2026; Milwaukee, WI, USA; A young Milwaukee Bucks fan enjoys a press conference introducing new head coach Taylor Jenkins (not pictured) at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Yesterday, the Milwaukee Bucks announced that, for the first time since 1994, they will broadcast all 82 games and the final three Summer League games free over the air on MY24 and statewide affiliates, in partnership with Rincon Broadcasting Group.
Milwaukee-area residents can specifically watch it on MY24, most major cable systems, and YouTube TV. The news also stated that the Bucks will announce the full statewide affiliate network and streaming options will be available at a later date. Bucks and Fiserv Forum President Josh Glessing gave a brief statement in the announcement:
““This season marks an exciting return to our roots as we bring Bucks basketball back to full-season over-the-air television for the first time in more than three decades. We’re grateful to our partners at Rincon Broadcasting Group for helping us make Bucks games more accessible to our fans throughout Wisconsin.”
The Bucks have spent the last 19 years on several iterations of what was originally Fox Sports Wisconsin. That name changed several times over that span: first in 2021 to Bally Sports Wisconsin, then again in 2024 to FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin. This move became necessary after FanDuel Sports Network’s parent company, Main Street Sports, closed its regional sports network operation back in April. Their closure allowed the 13 NBA teams and seven NHL teams under their umbrella to find new TV deals, which the Bucks now have.
The first game of this new partnership will be tomorrow, when the Bucks take on the San Antonio Spurs in their second Summer League game. Tip-off for that game is slated for 8:00 p.m. CDT. The other two scheduled Summer League games will come against the Phoenix Suns on Monday, July 13, at 9:00 p.m. CDT and the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, July 15, at 6:30 p.m. CDT.
This isn’t the first time in recent history that the Bucks have had games on TV. Over the last three seasons, the Bucks have partnered with the Wiegel Broadcasting Company to broadcast select games on WMLW, CBS 58, and Telemundo. During that partnership, they provided 23 games free for Bucks fans across Wisconsin to watch. Before that, the last time the Bucks had been free to watch was in the 2006-07 season, before their partnership with Fox Sports began.
Brew Hoop community, how are you feeling about the Bucks returning to MY24 to broadcast the entire regular season? Let us know in the comments below!
Things have significantly quieted down on the free-agent front in the last few days, and the players who have yet to be signed have fewer options than they might have had on July 1st. According to BPM Sports’ contributor Marc-Olivier Beaudoin, the Montreal Canadiens have shown interest in 31-year-old Anthony Mantha.
The former Detroit Red Wings first-round pick has had a tremendous bounce-back season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, gathering 64 points in 81 games, by far the best season of his career. While some would have you believe that it’s all down to his linemates, he did spend the first two quarters of the season skating alongside Evgeny Malkin, picking up 29 points along the way. Still, he was most productive in the last two quarters of the campaign (35 points), playing alongside Ben Kindell and Tommy Novak among others.
He had a 0.79 point-per-game rhythm; only once in his career was he most productive, back in 2019-20 with the Wings when he put up 38 points in 43 games for a 0.88 PPG. It’s after that season that Detroit gave him a four-year contract with a $5.7 M cap hit, a move they would soon regret. The Wings traded him halfway through the following season when he had only racked up 21 points in 42 games. He finished the season with the Washington Capitals, adding eight more points for 29 points in 56 games. His next three campaigns yielded 23, 27, and 44 points, but he struggled to stay healthy, featuring in 37, 67, and 74 games. He was flipped to the Vegas Golden Knights in the last year of his four-year deal.
Unsurprisingly, he took a pay cut in his next contract, signing with the Calgary Flames for a single season for $3.5 million. He played in only 13 games, putting up 7 points before suffering a knee injury in which he tore his ACL. He needed the rest of the season to recover from the surgery and ended up signing a one-year deal with the Penguins for a $2.5M cap hit last July.
Although Mantha isn't a very physical player (52 hits in 81 games this past season), he at least brings a lot of size at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds. After a career year, the winger is looking for both a pay rise and a long-term deal, but according to Beaudoin, the Canadiens are only interested in a short-term contract. That makes sense, given his record improves on short-term deals and his injury history. Taking that into consideration, the odds of seeing Mantha put pen to paper with the Habs are slim. This is quite similar to when Hughes was willing to sign Jonathan Marchessault for two years, but the forward elected to join the Nashville Predators, who were giving him a five-year pact with a full no-move clause for the first four years.
If Mantha doesn’t find what he’s looking for on the market, he may return to the Canadiens, but one thing’s clear: a short-term deal with the Canadiens wouldn’t be his first choice, nor would adding him be the Canadiens’ first choice. Hughes has made it clear in the past that he's not looking to acquire aging players who will only block his young players' progress. In fact, this reported interest suggests Hughes may be realizing he cannot acquire a top-six player on the trade market right now. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him adopt a patient approach and see how things progress at the start of the season. If a team struggles out of the gate, they may be willing to reconsider their stance on a certain player’s availability.
England bounced back in style with an 11-try victory over Fiji in Liverpool
2 mins. A single carry before Van Poortvliet sets up the caterpillar ruck to box-kick to touch for a zero nonsense start from England. This is not the case from Fiji from the lineout as Tagitagivalu spills a simple tap off the top; presenting England a scrum that promptly results in penalty against Mawi.
Caleb Muntz chips through the shimmering summer air deep into England territory.
Tim Merlier again proved he is the fastest sprinter in the race after a heroic effort by Liam Slock was foiled at the last
On the telly, they’re discussing the dynamics of the sprint finishes: we’ve had two bunch kicks and two different winners, Olav Kooij and Tim Merlier. I fancy we’ll see a different winner today, and the pressure is on Philipsen to deliver, likewise Biniam Girmay.
After two disappointing seasons in Dallas, Klay Thompson could get one more shot to play for a contender.
The Mavericks are reportedly interested in parting ways with the 36-year-old — via trade or buyout, according to NBA insider Marc Stein — and the Heat reportedly have interest in seeing Thompson “shake free,” allowing them to add one of the league’s all-time shooters to a frontcourt-heavy, win-now lineup, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, which desperately needs players who can create spacing.
Klay Thompson during a 2026 Mavericks game against the Knicks. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“To this point, as much has been relayed to me is, the Mavs’ preference would be a trade,” Stein said on the Bleacher Report stream. “I think it’s still early enough in the summer that if you’re the Mavs, you would exhaust those options first, but there’s stuff we have to keep an eye on it.”
After winning four titles and receiving five All-Star Game selections in 13 years with Golden State, Thompson — who missed two full seasons earlier this decade with injuries — is now essentially limited to being nothing more than a perimeter threat.
Last season, Thompson had the worst campaign of his career, coming off the bench for the first time since his rookie year.
He shot a career-low 39.3 percent from the field (38.3 percent on 3-pointers), while averaging 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.
Thompson is scheduled to earn $17.5 million in the final year of his contract.
Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the new-look Heat. NBAE via Getty Images
His off-the-court life has also experienced some recent turbulence, with his ex, rapper Megan Thee Stallion, accusing him of cheating.
“I’ve made the decision to end my relationship with Klay. Trust, fidelity and respect are non-negotiable for me in a relationship, and when those values are compromised, there’s no real path forward,” she told Page Six in April. “I’m taking this time to prioritize myself and move ahead with peace and clarity.”
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
#1 Clank City
The opening five minutes of the Summer League Celtics’ game were a tough watch. We had five missed shots, seven turnovers and two foul calls, all before a bucket was scored in open play. Sure, there was a successful trip to the line, but overall, things got off to a shaky start.
That’s Summer League basketball, though. We’re not coming into these games expecting everyone to be perfect. We know things are going to be gritty and sometimes clumsy. As long as everyone is giving their full effort, you can overlook the mistakes, especially if you see players learning from them on the fly.
Unfortunately, the Celtics’ shooting woes didn’t get much better throughout the first half. They went into the locker room at halftime having shot 15.6% from the field (7-of-45) and 12.5% from deep (2-of-16). Those aren’t typos.
Whatever Amile Jefferson and his coaching staff said at halftime clearly had a positive impact. In the third quarter, Boston shot 47.4% from the field and 40% from deep. When looking at the second half as a whole, it’s clear the Celtics upped their game, 47.1% from the field, 41.2% from deep.
Much better.
The question now is whether the Summer League Celts can avoid another slow shooting start when they face the Hornets on Sunday.
#2 Pros and cons of the new free-throw rule
If you’ve been watching Summer League games outside the Celtics, you’ve already seen this rule in place. If not, then it probably came as a slight surprise. The NBA recently announced that it would be adopting the “one free-throw” rule for this year’s Summer League contests in Salt Lake City, Northern California and Las Vegas.
The rule changes mean that if a player is sent to the line, they will take one free throw for the full value of the points. i.e., if a player gets fouled while shooting a three, they will take one shot at the line worth three points.
The aim is to speed up the game. Fouls in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and in overtime will result in the normal free-throw system.
I have mixed feelings about this rule. On the plus side, games move more quickly. We’re not being held up by lengthy shooting routines at the line (yes, I’m looking at you, Giannis), either. From a consumer standpoint, there’s a clear upside.
However, player evaluation, from a fan’s perspective, becomes a little more complicated. If you’re watching a rookie play in Summer League, and they’re struggling to get their shots to fall, you can always look at their free-throw success as a potential (small sample size) indicator of shooting skill. When you essentially half the number of free throws in a game, that data becomes significantly less reliable.
There’s also the fairness of it all. If you’re fouled when shooting a three-pointer, you have three chances to put points on the board. Even if you go 2-of-3 from the line, you’ve added to the score. Under this new rule, it’s sink or swim on the one attempt.
The G League has run with this rule for a couple of seasons now. I do wonder whether it eventually makes its way into the NBA.
#3 Chris Cenac Jr. had himself a night
Chris Cenac Jr. had a quietly impressive game. He let the action come to him, rarely forced anything and came up big when it mattered. He ended the night with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 stocks, going 2-of-4 from deep in the process.
Throughout the game, we saw Cenac flash different aspects of his game, be it his bounce, like when he missed the putback dunk after crashing into Dillon Mitchell, his perimeter scoring or even his ability to put the ball on the floor and finish off the bounce.
I was surprised that Cenac wasn’t part of the starting lineup, with Mitchell (Boston’s 2026 second-round draft pick) starting ahead of him. However, it clearly didn’t mean much, as he ended the night as one of the Celtics’ most impactful players.
Still, I’m not allowing myself to get too carried away by his performance on Friday; this is still Summer League after all. However, with his ability to play at both the four and five, guard multiple positions, provide switchability on defense, and knock down open treys, I wouldn’t be surprised if he worked his way into Joe Mazzulla’s rotation at some point this season.
Solid Summer League debut from the Houston product. I love that he played within the flow of the game, rather than trying to force things in hopes of impressing.
#4 Dillon Mitchell is full of energy
The box score won’t remember Mitchell fondly for this game, but when has that ever stopped us from falling in love with an energy guy?
Mitchell gave everything when on the floor. He was the first to leak out once his teammates secured rebounds, and if some of the pitch-ahead passes had been a little better timed, he could have ended the game with double-digit scoring numbers. Mitchell also had 4 stocks in the game, hustling on both sides of the floor.
Another thing I really liked about Mitchell was his explosiveness. He had a great putback dunk late in the second quarter after running the floor and sticking with the action.
Of course, it should come as no surprise that we didn’t see Mitchell attempt anything from deep. After all, he enters the NBA having shot just 19.3% from the perimeter in college. I’ll be interested to see whether he gets given a remit to start working on his outside game during the remaining Summer League games, or whether that’s something he’ll be developing with the Maine Celtics’ staff (if at all).
#5 Amari Williams, take a bow
I loved what Amari Williams brought to the table in this game. In regard to how Mazzulla likes to use non-shooting bigs, Williams perfectly fits the bill. He’s patient when in possession, is a capable and willing screener and can score in a couple of different ways. On defense, he’s got the size and frame to be a deterrent, while also having enough hip mobility to step outside of the paint and contain ball-handlers.
We saw a wide range of what Williams brings to the table against Toronto. However, it was his work in delay actions that really stood out.
Williams never rushes into an action. His poise allows things to unfold around him before he begins making his move.
Check out the above play.
Rather than trying to feed Hank Morgan on his cut, Williams keeps control of the rock, waits to see how the defense shakes out and then opts to initiate a dribble hand-off with Alondes Williams. The play doesn’t amount to anything, but for those of you who have been reading my work for a while, you’ll know i’m all about the process.
It would have been easy for Williams to fire off a pass to Morgan once he cut off his screen. Instead, Williams read the floor and got the ball to a curling forward who could pressure the defense while getting downhill. What did Williams do after the hand-off? He positioned himself in the dunker spot to either contend for an offensive board or offer an outlet if the defense locked in.
In fairness, Williams probably should have hit Mitchell on his cut, but that’s whatever at this point.
Some solid play from Williams, who faces an uphill battle to earn playing time next season.
#6 Where I go, Hugo
Whenever you tune into some Summer League hoops, it’s usually clear which players have enjoyed a year or two of professional hoops and the development that comes with it. On Friday, those players were Hugo Gonzalez and Williams for Boston.
Hugo is going to be Boston’s focal point throughout this Summer League run, or at least until the Celtics decide they’ve seen enough and shut him down. In an expanded role, the sophomore forward flirted with a triple-double, ending the night with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists.
However, the Celtics will want to see better shooting nights from Hugo in the coming days. He went 3-of-16 from the field and 1-of-9 from deep. Did that gnarly bruise on his arm play a part in such rough shooting splits? Maybe. Maybe not.
Still, despite his struggles from the field, Hugo showcased some playmaking ability, generating scoring opportunities for himself and others while running the PnR.
We already know what Hugo is capable of on the defensive end. However, seeing what he can do in an expanded offensive role is going to be incredibly fun over the next week. His timing will surely improve, as will the quality of his passing. Still, on first glance, there’s every reason to believe that over the next few years, Hugo will emerge as a solid, if not vital, member of Boston’s rotation.
#7 A 2-Man Game
Did anyone else peep the two-man game between Hugo and Williams? They had multiple possessions where they connected on some pretty good actions. It makes sense that Boston leans into plays with its two best Summer League players, especially when they’re finding so much success in those situations.
I especially liked seeing the duo connect on PnR actions, especially when it led to a scoring opportunity. It’s hard to get excited about two young guys on a roster we’re hoping will be ready to contend for a championship in 12 months’ time. Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but wonder whether we’ll see Hugo and Williams emerge as a fun-to-watch duo for years to come, either off the bench or as part of the Celtics’ starting unit down the line.
For now, though, I’ll be doing my best to keep track of how often the Celtics lean into the Hugo/Williams two-man game over the remainder of Summer League, while cheering for every possession where those plays work out well.
#8 Amile Jefferson had Tatum in support
Jayson Tatum made an appearance at Boston’s opening Summer League game, along with Derrick White. During the game, Tatum was mic’d up, as he spoke about Jefferson stepping into the head coaching gig for the Summer League C’s.
“I think this is where I’m supposed to say I’m very proud of Amile for being a head coach,” Tatum said. “But it’s his first time coaching. I had to come support my brother. Part of coaching, you’ve got to look the part. This is like the first step in becoming a head coach.”
Jefferson got his Summer League coaching career off to a great start. Not only did the Celtics win, but they turned things around after a brutal first half and stayed composed during overtime. He’s certainly got a platform to build on heading into Sunday’s matchup.
#9 Milos Uzan might have something
Uzan signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Celtics earlier this summer. Therefore, he’ll be with the team throughout Summer League and into training camp. I hadn’t seen Uzan play before yesterday, so I didn’t know what to expect coming in.
Like most of his teammates, Uzan struggled shooting the rock. However, his speed, changes of pace and ability to change direction on a dime were all impressive. He also found ways to get his teammates involved, ending the night with five dimes. Defensively, it felt like Uzan got lost a couple of times, but nothing that I would deem egregious.
It’s hard to judge a player based on one game. Especially when that game comes in the Summer League, which is often a false dawn. I came away looking forward to seeing more of Uzan over the next week, and wondering whether he could earn a two-way spot with the Celtics. Having another speedy guard who can score and create off the bounce wouldn’t be a bad thing for Boston’s depth throughout the regular season.
#10 Locking down the perimeter
We’ve got to credit the Celtics for the work they did in locking down the three-point line. The Raptors shot just 19.6% on non-corner threes in this game, going 7-of-36. Some of that will be the fact that guys were forcing their looks, but a lot more will be the way the Celtics locked down the perimeter and forced Toronto into difficult shots under legitimate resistance.
Outside of long middies, the Celtics held Toronto to below-average scoring from every major shot location. For a group that is looking to impress both the coaching staff and onlooking scouts, putting in the work on the defensive end is the perfect pathway to both team and individual success.
Boston’s identity continues to be as a gritty defensive unit. Ensuring that translates to Summer League is a testament to the coaching staff and the players on the floor.
Tougher tests will await them during their stay in Vegas, but starting off with this type of rearguard performance gives this young Celtics roster a solid platform to build on.
The 2026 MLB Draft begins in Philadelphia on July 11, with the Chicago White Sox picking first overall. A promising young franchise that needs an injection into its middling farm system, who will the Southsiders land on? Will it be UCLA's star shortstop and longtime consensus No. 1 pick Roch Cholowsky? Georgia Tech's breakout star catcher Vahn Lackey? Or will the White Sox follow in the footsteps of the Washington Nationals last year and pick Texas high schooler Grady Emerson?
All options are on the table for Chicago, which heads into the All-Star break battling for first in the AL Central with the Cleveland Guardians. From there, it's anyone's guess. The Tampa Bay Rays will be picking second, the Minnesota Twins third, the San Francisco Giants fourth, and the Pittsburgh Pirates round out the top five.
The White Sox now face an interesting decision. White Sox amateur scouting director Mike Shirley has indicated the team won't be rushing anyone to the Bigs, regardless of team success. “Our guys have done a tremendous job in letting the player mature," Shirley said to MLB.com earlier this season. "Even the 1-1 pick, he’ll tell us when he’s ready. In some ways the development of this, maybe the player doesn’t have to be rushed to support the organization."
That certainly doesn't signal a philosophy shift is imminent, though the franchise likely wouldn't want to tip its hand. The Rays and Twins won't be moved off their building strategies, and the Giants need to find a way to right the ship in San Francisco.
The slot value at No. 1 overall is $11,350,600, up 2.5% from last season.
USA TODAY Sports will keep you up to date with all the picks made in the 2026 MLB Draft:
But the move that may outshine them all in the short and long term was re-signing Mohamed Diawara to a four-year, $11.2 million deal. The 21-year-old forward averaged just 3.6 points in his rookie season, but his on-court flashes and physical gifts make him a nuclear lottery ticket for the Knicks.
As New York and many other contenders dealt with this offseason, the second apron restrictions are making it tougher to maintain cost-controlled but still competitive teams. The Thunder traded two of their key young guards ahead of their extensions, the Celtics downgraded from Jaylen Brown, and the Knicks couldn’t shell out to keep Robinson.
Diawara’s contract runs under $3 million a year, a rounding error to the salary cap. If he becomes a rotation player, or something more, the Knicks would get a near-term contributor to their championship core and foundational piece of the next one at a fraction of the cost.
Why the Knicks are betting on Diawara's upside
Diawara's build is outrageous: 6’9” with a 7’4” wingspan, 225 pounds, and the baseline skills to boot.
He’s got some handles and a knack for finding the open man, even getting some pick-and-roll reps in real minutes this season. That kind of self-advantage creation from a player his size is rare, and he’s used it to get two feet in the paint, finishing with his length or finding others.
Diawara showed some nifty moves in his limited minutes, spin dribbles and tough angles finishes. If there’s a high-scoring upside here, we’re seeing the beginnings of it already.
On @Honda SportsNite, @IanBegley discusses the Knicks finalizing a deal with restricted free agent Mo Diawara, who the Knicks have held pre-draft workouts with, and how the Knicks' pick at 24 in the NBA Draft impacts their approach to the offseason and the second apron pic.twitter.com/1qEv2PoSSx
The big surprise was how he shot the lights out in his rookie season. Through the month of February, he shot 41.4 percent from deep, going 10-18 in one six-game stretch.
He finished the season with a 36.9 percent clip on only 130 attempts, struggling with the higher volumes he was entrusted with in March and April, but the base is there. His jumper is fluid, tough to contest, and bagged 19 of 33 attempts from the corners.
Defensively, Diawara was ahead of schedule as a neophyte, picking up team concepts as the season evolved and even stepping up for big moments. He had standout, promising stretches, like when he shut down Jaylen Brown in one matchup.
While there was plenty of rawness, Diawara also carried a poise and audacious confidence despite making his debut on a championship team. When he got a chance to crack the rotation, he jumped on it.
He didn’t get consistent playing time, but for weeks at a time, especially later in the season, he was getting regular burn that served as real experience under his belt and a validation of his behind-the-scenes work. Diawara wasn’t entrusted with playoff minutes, but a bigger role this regular season could set him up for some.
The Knicks may need him, currently lacking traditional forwards beyond their starters. Until last year’s trade deadline, Guerschon Yabusele was taking those minutes and head coach Mike Brown also experimented with double-big lineups, plus super small ones with Mikal Bridges at the four.
With no Yabusele or Robinson, the Knicks could use an extra threat in the frontcourt and Diawara can start to make his claim at Summer League. With a good performance there and a strong training camp, he could earn a rotation spot out of the gates and flex his development on the big stage.
The Knicks won their championship by trusting promising, culture-fitting guys to raise their games. Locking up Diawara gives them the chance of finding another one without losing financial control.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JULY 10: Luis Castillo #58 of the Seattle Mariners reacts after giving up a home run to Victor Mesa Jr. #25 of the Tampa Bay Rays in the fifth inning at Tropicana Field on July 10, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Offense was somewhat surprisingly at a premium last night in DC after the two-hour rain delay, as the Yankees couldn’t do more than hit register two solo shots against the Nationals’ Carson Palmquist/Zack Littell combo across the first seven innings. They weren’t dominating by any stretch; it just felt like the Yanks weren’t landing that key hit. So when Tim Hill coughed up back-to-back homers to Keibert Ruiz and James Wood to put the Nats ahead 3-2, there was a legitimate fear that Ryan Weathers’ work would go to waste.
Thankfully, the Nats’ weak relief pitching finally made a true appearance in the ninth. A few minutes later, the save was blown behind the bats of Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Austin Wells, two dudes who needed some big swings. Final score: 5-3, Yanks. Phew!
Here’s what else was going on in some of the notable American League action yesterday. Note that we’ve shaken up the teams covered again for this final series of the first half, focusing solely on those presently in playoff position. As always, these are subject to change! It’s just who’s getting the shine at the moment.*
*Although I will note that all of the Blue Jays, Red Sox, Tigers, and Orioles won, moving the middle tier of the Wild Card race all up a game. Minnesota is one back of Seattle for the last Wild Card; Houston, Toronto, and surging Boston are 1.5 behind; Detroit is within 2.5 and Baltimore is three back. Oh, and none of these teams are over .500. What a jumbled mess.
Tampa Bay Rays (55-37) 7, Seattle Mariners (47-48) 2
It was a great Friday for Rays starter Nick Martinez, who was chosen as a replacement for Boston’s Ranger Suárez on the All-Star roster and then went out and recorded a win over the Mariners. Named an All-Star for the first time at age-35, Martinez threw 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk, giving up a homer to Cole Young and not much else. It wasn’t as shiny as some of his early regular-season starts, but the W’s all count the same.
Anyway, Martinez easily outpitched his opponent, fading veteran Luis Castillo. The former ace has been the clear weak link in the six-man(-ish) rotation, and it showed again on Friday night. He gave up homers to Richie Palacios, Cedric Mullins, and Victor Mesa Jr. between the fourth and the fifth, and while they were solo shots, they combined with an RBI knock in the third from Chandler Simpson to give Tampa Bay a 4-1 lead.
Following singles by J.P. Crawford and Randy Arozarena, Martinez departed with the tying run at the plate for Seattle with one out in the sixth. The M’s only got one run out of it though, with Cole Sulser inducing a fielder’s choice grounder from Dominic Canzone and fanning Cal Raleigh to keep it at 4-2. Garrett Cleavinger also did yeoman’s work to keep the M’s from tying it in the seventh, as Josh Naylor never got further from second after his leadoff single. Then in the home half, Junior Caminero dropped the hammer on José A. Ferrer with his 28th long ball of 2026:
It was smooth sailing from then on for the Rays, coasting to a 7-2 win. The only hitch was that it seemed like they would take a five-game AL East lead on the Yankees until New York’s ninth-inning rally off the Nats.
Other Games
Texas Rangers (48-46) 7, Houston Astros (46-50) 3: Yordan Alvarez’s 30th homer of the season and the 200th of his career brought some fireworks in this 2023 ALCS rematch of the two Texas teams, which are both battling with Seattle for the AL West lead. The next inning, Yainier Diaz hit a two-run shot off Chris Martin to tie the game at 3-3. That was unfortunate for Texas, which had built a 3-0 lead against Astros ace Hunter Brown, but they shook off losing that advantage in a hurry. The Rangers lit into Bryan King in the eighth, as Wyatt Langford belted a solo shot to give them a 4-3 lead and Jake Burger soon followed with a three-run smash. (Yes, we got a Burger/King matchup, and the former had it his way.) The Rangers lead the Mariners by 1.5 games in the AL West.
Cleveland Guardians (49-46) 3, Miami Marlins (52-43) 2: The surprising Marlins have MLB’s best record since the beginning of June, but Cleveland southpaw Parker Messick cooled down the Stinky Hot Fish™ by allowing just one hit and one run in six innings of work. The rookies got to Sandy Alcantara, with Chase DeLauter slugging a two-run homer to get the scoring going in the fourth and Travis Bazzana lifting a key sacrifice fly in the following frame. Leo Jiménez and Heriberto Hernández hit solo shots for Miami to cut the lead to one by the eighth, but Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith turned the Marlins away to win it.
Chicago White Sox (48-45) 14, The Athletics (41-53) 1: After getting swept at home by the Red Sox, the Pale Hose took out their frustration on the free-falling A’s, keeping pace with Cleveland. No. 9 hitter Tristan Peters was the story of this one, as he became the seventh player in White Sox history to hit for the cycle, the first since Jose Abreu on September 9, 2017. Remarkably, Peters finished his cycle by recording the two hardest parts—the triple and the homer—in the same inning. Andrew Benintendi also drove in four while notching a pair of doubles and All-Star Miguel Vargas hit his 21st homer of 2026. Sean Burke threw seven innings of four-hit, one-run ball.
In what was a significant back-and-forth game, Gwinnett walked things off against Memphis to move to just one game under .500 on the season.
Herick Hernandez got the start in what was his first triple-A appearance, and performed quite well in his first outing. Across 5.2 innings of work, Hernandez allowed four runs on four hits while walking three and striking out six in the process.
While he did give up a pair of homers on the day, it is a very promising start for Hernandez seeing as though he kept the walks in check and managed to limit the damage.
However, the Stripers would have to battle back from an early 3-0 deficit as the Redbirds took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
That score would remain until the home half of the third. DaShawn Kiersey Jr. got the scoring started for Gwinnett by lacing a bases-loaded single into center field to cut the deficit to 3-2.
Luke Williams later came around to score on a single off the bat of Jair Camargo to tie things up at 3-3.
The first lead of the game for the Stripers came in the bottom of the fifth as Rowdy Tellez launched his ninth homer of the season over the right center field wall to make it a 4-3 game.
Memphis eventually took the lead by scoring one run each in the sixth and ninth innings.
However, the Stripers’ bats would come to life in their final at-bat.
Brett Wisely laced a one-out single before Brewer Hicklen took a 2-2 breaking ball and pulled it over the left field wall for a walk off, two-run homer to give the Stripers the win.
Simply put, there wasn’t much that went right for Columbus on Friday night.
Ian Mejia got the start and didn’t have his best stuff as he gave up five runs on six hits in 5.1 innings of work. It wasn’t his best outing of the season, but it should have been somewhat manageable.
However, his offens faltered tremendously, as the Clingstones tallied just one run on four hits across the entire nine inning affair.
The lone RBI for Columbus came in the bottom of the fifth as Keshawn Ogans — who went 2-3 on the night — drove home Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. with an RBI-single.
— Columbus Clingstones (@GoClingstones) July 11, 2026
Kilpatrick Jr. and Dalton McIntyre both tallied the only other two hits on the night — both singles — in what was a lackluster offensive performance all-around by Columbus.
(41-41) Rome Emperors 8, (40-43) Hudson Valley Renegades 3
Rome got back to .500 on the season with a win over Hudson Valley on Friday, riding a solid night at the plate from several Emperors en route to the victory.
Typically, games in which Eric Hartman homers, the Emperors are going to be just fine — as was the case on Friday.
Hartman took a hanging breaking ball to launch a two-run homer, his 21st long ball of the season, to give Rome the 2-1 lead in the third inning.
Dixon Williams and Dallas Macias also got in on the offensive fun, each homering in this one as well, while both also drove in a pair of runs.
Tate Southisene and John Gil also had solid days at the plate, both doubling on the night.
Cade Kuehler got the start on the mound and tossed five innings of four-run ball while striking out four. He also scattered four hits and walked three along the way as well.
All told it’s been a rough, rough season for Kuehler. However, he has put up back-to-back starts of at least five innings and three or less runs allowed. It’s a small sample size, sure, but hopefully it’s the beginning of a significant turnaround for Kuehler who showed a good amount of promise at one point early in his professional career.
(48-37) Augusta GreenJackets 7, (47-36) Hickory Crawdads 8
Cooper McMurray, 1B: 2-3, HR, 3B, 4 RBI, 3 R
Luis Guanipa, CF: 1-4, RBI
Alex Lodise, SS: 2-5, 2 RBI
Landon Beidelschies, SP: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Augusta unfortunately came up short on Friday, losing by just one run to Hickory.
Landon Beidelschies made his 11th start of the season for Augusta on Friday and tossed 2.2 innings of four run (one earned) ball. The lefty managed to scatter three hits and walked a trio of batters while striking out a pair as well.
All-in-all, Beidelschies has had a rough start to his pro career. In 11 starts (13 appearances) the left has tossed an ERA of 7.66 while striking out 41 in 49.1 innings of work thus far.
Hopefully he can turn it around as a starter. Otherwise, it may be a quick trip to the bullpen for Beidelschies.
Cooper McMurray paced the offense with a homer and triple to his credit, driving in four of Augusta’s seven total runs on Friday, while Alex Lodise went 2-5 with a pair of RBI as well.
— Augusta GreenJackets (@GreenJackets) July 11, 2026
Trailing 8-5 in the home half of the ninth, the GreenJackets managed to plate two runs to make it a 8-7 game, but Augusta failed to tie things up as they would go on to lose this one by just one run.
Despite outhitting the FCL Rays and holding a lead headed into the ninth inning, the FCL Braves came up short, losing by a 10-7 final in extras.
While Luisberth Valdez technically got the start and only went one inning, Wuilinyer Tovar shouldered most of the pitching load in this one. In 4.1 innings of work, Tovar allowed two runs on five hits, but unfortunately also walked a gaudy six batters across those frames as well.
The Braves plated one run in the third, four in the seventh and two in the eighth to take a 7-6 lead. Manuel Dos Passos had a solid day at the plate to lead the offense, lacing a pair of doubles and scoring a run, while Elias Reyno went 3-3 with a pair of RBI and a walk to his credit as well.
However, the FCL Rays managed to score a run to tie things up in the top of the ninth before crossing the plate three times in the top of the 10th to carry the win as the Braves were held scoreless in the home half.
The DSL squad took an excellent start from Martires Polanco Friday afternoon and parlayed it into a victory — just the eighth of the year for the team.
Across just 4.1 innings of work, Polanco managed to strike out nine batters while holding the opposition to just one run on one hit on the day. He did also walk three batters, but all in all it was a good day for the 19-year-old.
Polanco has been overwhelmingly dominant this year for the DSL squad. Sure, he is older for the level, but across six starts, the righty carries an ERA of 1.54 with 39 strikeouts in just 23.1 innings.
He’s probably in line for a promotion to the FCL squad here soon, or even perhaps Augusta, depending on what happens with rosters after the draft signing deadline.
At the plate, Edelson Cabral launched his second homer of the season — a go-ahead, two-run shot in the bottom of the fifth — to pace the DSL Braves’ offense.
Both Jose Nelo and Yassel Pena also got in on the action with a double apiece, while Nelo also added an RBI to his credit in the win.
Jul 10, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA;St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Helpfully, Major League Baseball has provided us with a distraction today in the form of the MLB Draft, which starts at 10am PST. It’s not too late to catch up on Max Ellingsen’s coverage so you can have a fully-formed opinion when the M’s are on the clock! Speaking of, is there a name you’ve circled for the Mariners this year?
In the latest episode of the Meet at the Mitt podcast, the crew broke down the top options for the M’s in this year’s draft and who they’re hoping the club will take with their first selection. (Apple link; Spotify link)
Cardinals catcher Iván Herrera, Rays right-hander Nick Martinez, Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela, and White Sox first basemen Munetaka Murakami were all named as All-Star Game replacements.
