Several stars sit while 2016 class has strong day
A look at some of the highlights from the eight games Wednesday at the Las Vegas Summer League:
SITTING OUT
Several of the biggest names in the Summer League sat out Wednesday. The Heat were without Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson. The Timberwolves sat No. 5 overall pick Kris Dunn, who missed Monday's game with a concussion. The Spurs didn't play Kyle Anderson and No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons was in street clothes on the 76ers' bench with a scheduled rest day. Jazz forward Trey Lyles, who entered the day averaging a Vegas Summer League-high 29 points, also did not play.
WOEFUL WILLIE
Second-year center Willie Cauley-Stein struggled mightily as the Kings fell to 0-4 with an 81-61 loss to the Hawks (3-1). The 2015 No. 6 overall pick had a minus-20 plus-minus with just four points, three rebounds and two steals in just under 17 minutes. On the flip side, 2016 No. 12 overall pick Taurean Prince had 21 points, nine rebounds, two assists and one steal.
LOOKING UP
Adrien Payne put together his best Summer League game as the Timberwolves (1-3) beat the Spurs (2-2) 80-71. The 2014 No. 15 overall pick scored 20 points on 8-for-16 shooting from the field and added seven rebounds. He entered the game averaging 13.0 points and shooting 31.7 percent in three games. Teammate Tyus Jones, the No. 24 pick in 2015, scored 15 points and had nine assists. Dejounte Murray, the No. 29 overall pick this year, shot just 5 for 15 for the Spurs, but finished with 14 points and six rebounds.
DESERT SHOOTOUT
The Cavaliers (2-2) outlasted the Celtics (1-3) 98-94 as both sides had some spectacular performances. No. 3 overall pick Jaylen Brown led Boston with 25 points on 8-for-16 shooting to go along with nine rebounds and two steals. Teammate Terry Rozier, the 2015 No. 16 pick, continued his strong Summer League with 24 points, two rebounds and two assists. He shot 7 for 10 from the field. Little-known Jordan McRae had 32 points for the Cavs. He madel 12 free-throw attempts. Second-round pick Kay Felder, the diminutive 5-foot-9 point guard, had 22 points and three assists.
MORE `16 FIRST ROUNDERS
No. 6 overall pick Buddy Hield didn't have the most efficient day for the Pelicans, but still finished with 16 points, five rebounds and five assists. No. 24 overall pick Timothe Luwawu-Caborrot shot 50 percent from the field while scoring 15 points for the 76ers. He added two rebounds and two assists. No. 10 overall pick Thon Maker scored 17 points on 6-for-17 shooting with three rebounds for the Bucks.
ROCKETS ROLLING
A pair of Rockets had strong games in a 80-76 loss to the Warriors. K.J. McDaniels scored 25 points to go along with nine rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocked shots. Montrezl Harrell added 16 points, but was 1 for 6 from behind the arc.