Running analysis from NBA Summer League

theScore provides insights and analysis on the key talking points from the 19th edition of the Las Vegas Summer League. Check back daily through the finale July 20, and tap here for daily scores and stats.

Thursday, July 17

Summer League semifinals set

Thursday marked the final day of group play in the 2025 Las Vegas Summer League. After six teams went 4-0, an overall point-differential tiebreaker determined the four semifinalists.

The Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Charlotte Hornets are the four squads left standing, with the semifinals scheduled for Saturday.

• Semifinal 1: (4) Kings vs. (1) Raptors (4 p.m. ET)
• Semifinal 2: (3) Hornets vs. (2) Thunder (6 p.m. ET)

The finals will take place Sunday at 10 p.m. ET at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. The 26 teams that didn't advance to the semifinals will play a fifth game on either Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

Of the four remaining clubs, the Kings are the only ones to have previously won the Las Vegas Summer League since its inception in 2013, taking the crown in 2014 and 2021. - Michael J. Chandler

CMB shows glimpses of two-way prowess

When the Raptors selected South Carolina forward Collin Murray-Boyles with the ninth pick in the draft, the organization knew it was getting an adaptable defensive whiz with the ability to lock down opponents courtesy of a deft blend of foot speed, instincts, and coordination. However, there were doubts about his versatility on the offensive end beyond being a clinical finisher at the rim and in pick-and-roll scenarios.

In Thursday's 81-69 victory over the Golden State Warriors that guaranteed the Raptors a spot in the Summer League semifinals, Murray-Boyles delivered at both ends.

He scored 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting, grabbed nine boards, and was a menace on the defensive end, snatching four steals in an impressive display. The above video is a perfect encapsulation of Murray-Boyles' skill set: a smothering defender with active hands who can turn defense into offense. He also recorded a team-high plus-22 and only two turnovers. - Michael J. Chandler

The Bouknight rises

James Bouknight's NBA career has been anything but straightforward. Lofty expectations surrounded the UConn product when the Charlotte Hornets drafted him with the 11th pick in 2021. He made 79 appearances and averaged 4.8 points across a three-season spell in Charlotte that was marred by a DUI arrest and a sideline confrontation with then-head coach James Borrego.

Bouknight, 24, spent last season with the Portland Trail Blazers' G League affiliate, the Rip City Remix, and on Thursday in Las Vegas, the combo guard reminded many what he's capable of in a 102-83 win over the Houston Rockets. Bouknight dropped 25 points paired with four assists and three rebounds in 20 minutes, including a red-hot fourth-quarter heat check with 20 points on 6-of-8 shooting and a 5-of-6 clip from deep.

Bouknight's NBA future likely isn't with the Trail Blazers. Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, and Shaedon Sharpe all merit starting spots at guard, and that logjam is exacerbated by Damian Lillard's eventual return to fitness. Caleb Love is also on a two-way deal, meaning Bouknight will likely have to look elsewhere for a return to the Association. - Michael J. Chandler

Wednesday, July 16

Bulls' Young sets 2025 Summer League standard

Congratulations if you had Chicago Bulls point guard Jahmir Young setting a Summer League team scoring record on your bingo card. The 6-foot-1 undrafted guard out of Maryland scorched the Milwaukee Bucks with 40 points in Wednesday's 102-96 victory, doing so on efficient 13-of-19 (72%) shooting that included a 7-of-8 clip from deep.

It's the highest scoring mark at this year's Las Vegas Summer League and a Bulls record. Young is now just one of seven players to score 40 or more points in Summer League play, joining Anthony Morrow (47), Marcus Banks (42), Von Wafer (42), Anthony Randolph (42), Furkan Korkmaz (40), and Marcus Sasser (40). That list might not be a portent of success for Young, who's on a two-way deal with the Bulls and made just six appearances for the team last season. - Michael J. Chandler

Dillingham earning his spot

Rob Dillingham doesn't need to play in Summer League after averaging over 10 minutes per game in 49 appearances for the Timberwolves last season, including sporadic playing time in the Western Conference finals. But Minnesota figured more reps can't hurt a guard who struggled to break through the Wolves' deep rotation.

Dillingham's strong performance illustrates why he'll have an elevated role next season with the departure of Nickeil Alexander-Walker and soon-to-be 38-year-old Mike Conley's shrinking responsibilities. The 2024 No. 8 pick's scoring consistency has led the Wolves to a 4-0 mark. He's averaging 17.3 points and an impressive 6.5 assists.

His best outing came in Wednesday's win over the Suns when he recorded 23 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds. His 3-point shooting must improve, but Dillingham is showing why the Wolves used a top-10 pick on the Kentucky product. - Sam Oshtry

Clifford shining for Kings

Few mock drafts had Nique Clifford falling to the Kings with the 24th pick. Sacramento was rewarded when other teams foolishly passed on the talented wing. Clifford, a three-level scorer coming off a remarkable season at Colorado State, was projected as a borderline lottery pick. That upside is evident as Clifford fills the box score in every Summer League showing. He's averaging 18.5 points on 53% 3-point shooting while grabbing 6.5 rebounds and dishing out five assists per game.

Clifford flirted with a triple-double Wednesday night against the Cavaliers, pouring in 19 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. The Kings are 4-0, and Clifford could earn MVP honors. At 23, Clifford's age concerned some teams scouting him, but the talent is undeniable. While Sacramento has plenty of wing depth, Clifford will earn minutes on a team that should opt for a rebuild sooner rather than later. - Sam Oshtry

Tuesday, July 15

Raptors 'vets' dominating

Most teams bring a few NBA-caliber players to Las Vegas, with the majority of their Summer League rosters made up of grinders just trying to get to (or back to) the Association. Meanwhile, more than half of the Toronto Raptors' squad is comprised of players who either logged significant NBA time last season or figure to do so this year. Most of them would be considered youngsters from October through April, but they're veterans in Vegas, and it's showing: A 101-97 victory over Denver moved the Raptors to 3-0 with the best point differential (plus-17.0 per game) in the tournament.

Several players have produced encouraging efforts, from A.J. Lawson shooting the lights out, to Ja'Kobe Walter's 26-point outburst against the Nuggets, to Ulrich Chomche looking like something much closer to an NBA big man after being drafted as an extremely raw project in 2024.

Perhaps the most fascinating part of Toronto's dominance thus far has been the way the Summer League Raptors have been able to mimic the big club's defensive identity. Darko Rajakovic wants the Raptors to be aggressive on the ball and create deflections off of it, and that strategy finally started to pay off in the second half of last season - they boasted the league's second-best defense from mid-January onwards. On-ball activity and active hand use in passing lanes have been on display again in Vegas, where the Raptors have forced a whopping 87 turnovers through three games, giving opponents an unfathomable assist-to-turnover ratio of 0.45. Defensive ball pressure is a growing trend in the NBA, especially after the Thunder and Pacers rode it to the Finals. The Raptors appear to have gotten the memo. - Joseph Casciaro

Blazers' Hansen justifying draft slot

The biggest shock of the 2025 NBA Draft was when the Portland Trail Blazers selected 7-foot-2 Yang Hansen with the 16th pick. To Yang's credit, he did shine in the draft combine with an array of passes that made many refer to the 20-year-old as the "Chinese Jokic." Still, the pick felt like a reach, especially after the Blazers grabbed fellow big Donovan Clingan in last year's lottery.

Yang has justified his draft slot in Las Vegas, albeit with a small sample size. On Tuesday, Yang recorded 15 points, four boards, and a pair of blocks in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans, displaying his versatility on the offensive end with three makes from beyond the arc and some strong footwork in the post.

Concerns remain as to whether Yang can adapt to the NBA's pace, and the Summer League isn't always an accurate representation of that tempo. Still, Yang has impressed thus far, developing a cult following in the preseason unlike any other player in Vegas. - Michael J. Chandler

Shannon stepping up for T-Wolves

Nickeil Alexander-Walker's offseason departure has opened the door in Minnesota. Head coach Chris Finch will hope that Alexander-Walker's role can be filled internally, and Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. are the obvious options.

Shannon has sparkled in Vegas, dropping 24 points on 6-of-9 shooting with four rebounds and three assists in Tuesday's win over the Detroit Pistons. He's averaging 22.7 points, six boards, and five dimes across three outings in Sin City. Nine playoff appearances as a rookie for the T-Wolves last season imply that Finch's trust in Shannon is growing, which should increase during the 2025-26 campaign. - Michael J. Chandler

Monday, July 14

Bronny finding his rhythm

After Bronny James' shaky opening night against the Mavs, which ended with an ill-advised step-back three at the buzzer, the 2024 second-rounder has made noticeable strides in his last two appearances.

James scored 14 points on 5-for-11 shooting Saturday night, but he still committed four turnovers and shot 1-for-5 from distance. The Lakers' loss to the Clippers on Monday night was James' best showing, as he notched 17 points, five assists, and five rebounds. He also confidently stepped into threes off the dribble, connecting on three long-range shots with his dad sitting courtside.

Critics pounced on the younger James' limited but discouraging run last season, questioning his merit as an NBA player. However, James' G League contests showcased his development: He averaged nearly 22 points on 38% 3-point shooting while dishing out over five assists in 11 G League games. If Monday is any indication, James is slowly proving his worth as an NBA player. - Sam Oshtry

Hawks' Kobe Bufkin turning heads

Kobe Bufkin has been on a roller-coaster ride in Vegas. He opened the Summer League with a 29-point outing, earning 15 trips to the charity stripe and drilling all 15 free throws. He followed that up with a 10-point performance on 3-for-17 shooting, though he did dish out nine assists in the Hawks' win.

On Monday night, Bufkin's 25 points on 50% shooting from three led the Hawks to their third win in as many games. The 21-year-old is careless with the ball - he committed nine turnovers Monday - but he can score in a variety of ways and is in contention for Summer League MVP.

Bufkin has been limited in his two seasons due to injuries, making just 17 appearances. But if his Summer League performances can translate to the regular season, he has a chance to crack Atlanta's deep and improved rotation. - Sam Oshtry

Johnny Furphy defies gravity with cruel poster

Monday's highlights featured one of the most vicious and impressive dunks we've seen in a while.

The Summer League is a growing experience for everyone, and Noa Essengue learned that sometimes you have to make a business decision. Don't jump - especially not with Johnny Furphy, who completely defied physics with a dunk that will live on in basketball lore. - Sam Oshtry

Sunday, July 13

Filipowski gives Jazz options

Utah Jazz center Kyle Filipowski is having a noteworthy Summer League, averaging 26.5 points, six rebounds, three assists, and a block on 55.3% shooting.

The second-year Duke product took a while to get up to speed at the pro level. He then quietly had a solid second half to the campaign, averaging 14.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 25.4 minutes per game since the All-Star break. It's apparent that he has the necessary offensive tools to demand minutes under Will Hardy, but on the defensive end, more is required of the 6-foot-11 big. Filipowski showed glimpses of capable rim-protection in Sunday's defeat to the Golden State Warriors.

The Jazz's rebuild has reached the next stage following the exits of Collin Sexton and John Collins; the emergence of Filipowski paired with contributions from rookies Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton Jr. could help it advance further.

The next obvious departure from Utah would be Lauri Markkanen. The Finnish forward was linked with several teams last season and was held out of the lineup for portions of the second half, prompting a $100,000 fine from the NBA for player participation policy violations. Filipowski's development as a two-way threat would help paper over the cracks of Markkanen's eventual exit. - Michael J. Chandler

Saturday, July 12

Flagg learning quickly

Cooper Flagg made his much-anticipated Dallas Mavericks debut in a narrow win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Day 1 in Las Vegas. The first overall pick posted 10 points on 5-of-21 shooting, adding six rebounds and four assists in 32 minutes. Flagg put up an early highlight with an emphatic one-handed slam for his first-ever basket, but he was critical of his overall performance, calling it "one of the worst games of my life." Some of his teammates were more positive, with undrafted guard Ryan Nembhard hailing Flagg as a "super talent."

Read more: Flagg draws 'unselfish' reviews in debut

Flagg bounced back in a big way in his second outing on Day 3, showing why he's heavily favored to win this season's Rookie of the Year award. The Duke product looked more comfortable and decisive, pouring in a game-high 31 points against the San Antonio Spurs. He showed off his full set of skills, draining three triples, executing from mid-range, and getting into the paint for several dunks. Flagg was responsible for over 47% of the Mavs' offense.

The Mavs then reportedly said "we've seen enough" and shut down Flagg for the remainder of the Las Vegas Summer League. - Michael J. Chandler

Don't forget about Dylan

Speaking of that Mavs-Spurs matchup, it also gave San Antonio fans an opportunity to get their first look at No. 2 pick Dylan Harper, who made his Summer League debut after overcoming a groin injury. Harper went head to head with Flagg, recording 16 points in the Spurs' 76-69 win. He also stood out on the defensive end, picking up a pair of steals and wowing the crowd with a massive transition block that drew audible gasps inside the Thomas and Mack Center.

If the Spurs can get all of their young pieces collectively healthy and on the court together, the sky's the limit for Mitch Johnson's team. - Gianluca Nesci

Friday, July 11

Heat's Jakucionis quiets critics

Kasparas Jakucionis had a rough start to the California Classic after sliding to No. 20 in the draft. The Miami Heat combo guard went 1-of-15 from the field and 0-of-11 from deep with 12 turnovers in three games, and those with confidence in small sample sizes were ready to call the Lithuanian a bust.

Fast-forward to Jakucionis' Las Vegas Summer League debut, and the Illinois product showed his worth. He dropped 24 points on 12 shots, including 5-of-9 from beyond the arc in just 28 minutes versus the Atlanta Hawks.

He displayed versatility at the offensive end as both a catch-and-shoot threat and a weapon in isolation while also creating opportunities for the Heat's frontcourt rolling to the basket. His ability to make the right decisions without the ball should encourage Erik Spoelstra to involve the 19-year-old in the rotation. - Michael J. Chandler

Thursday, July 10

'Dreams do come true'

One of the true joys of Summer League is seeing players who were either overlooked in the draft or have bounced around the league finally get an opportunity to shine - and making the most of it. Jamaree Bouyea fits that bill. The 26-year-old guard hit a buzzer-beating triple to lift the Milwaukee Bucks to a win over the Denver Nuggets on Day 1 in Vegas.

The Bucks are Bouyea's fifth NBA organization after going undrafted out of San Francisco in 2022. "Dreams do come true," Bouyea said postgame. - Michael J. Chandler