NBA Summer League 2015: Previewing Schedule and Matchups for Las Vegas League

The 2015 NBA draft is finally a thing of the past, which means we can stop speculating about where prospects will land and start projecting how they'll fit in with their new employers. 

For several of the draft's most esteemed prospects, the Las Vegas Summer League will represent the first chance fans and analysts have to watch them in action in a professional setting. 

The action will get underway July 10 and run through July 20 as 24 of the NBA's 30 teams get set to participate in the midsummer showcase. 

The NBA provided further details in an official press release:

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The 24-team field at Samsung NBA Summer League 2015 is composed of 14 playoff teams from the 2014-15 NBA season, nine teams with lottery picks in NBA Draft 2015 presented by State Farm and an NBA Development League Select Team. Teams will compete in three preliminary round games from July 10-14 before being seeded in a tournament that starts on July 15 and concludes with the Championship Game on July 20.

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Before breaking down which contests should be circled on fans' calendars, here's an overview of some key preliminary games that have already been scheduled: 

Date	Time	Matchup	Location
Friday, July 10	8:30 p.m. ET	Minnesota vs. L.A. Lakers	Thomas & Mack Center
Friday, July 10	10:30 p.m. ET	Golden State vs. Cleveland	Thomas & Mack Center
Saturday, July 11	4:30 p.m. ET	New York vs. San Antonio	Thomas & Mack Center
Saturday, July 11	8:30 p.m. ET	L.A. Lakers vs. Philadelphia	Thomas & Mack Center
Sunday, June 12	8 p.m. ET	Sacramento vs. Denver	Cox Pavilion
Sunday, June 12	4:30 p.m. ET	Phoenix vs. Houston	Thomas & Mack Center
Monday, June 13	4 p.m. ET	Cleveland vs. Milwaukee	Cox Pavilion
Monday, June 13	8:30 p.m. ET	L.A. Lakers vs. New York	Thomas & Mack Center
Tuesday, June 14	5 p.m. ET	Brooklyn vs. Chicago	Cox Pavilion
Tuesday, June 14	5:30 p.m. ET	New York vs. Philadelphia	Thomas & Mack Center

All told, 36 games will be played from July 10 to July 14. Then, once seeds are set, the double-elimination phase of the tournament will begin. A grand total of 67 head-to-head showdowns will be played over the course of the 11-day extravaganza.

When things tip off, fans will get a chance to watch lottery picks Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor and D'Angelo Russell square off head-to-head, including a showdown between Towns' Minnesota Timberwolves and Russell's Los Angeles Lakers on the first day of competition. 

Among teams that picked in the top five, only the Orlando Magic won't be participating in the Las Vegas festivities. The Orlando Summer League will take place from July 4 to July 10, when the Magic's new talent will be on display.

That said, the Philadelphia 76ers will do battle with the Lakers and New York Knicks— big-market games that should generate plenty of buzz as Okafor, Kristaps Porzingis and Russell take the hardwood.    

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

And while it once looked like Sixers center Joel Embiid would make his red, white and blue debut this summer, his status has been cast in doubt due to a setback with his foot. Although Embiid's agent, Arn Tellem, expected the 2014 No. 3 overall pick to participate back in May, it would be a surprise if he joined the team at this point. 

"During his visit with Dr. Richard Ferkel, a standard CT scan on Joel's right foot revealed less healing than anticipated at this point," Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie said in a press release earlier in June. Consequently, Embiid has been shut down until further notice as he undergoes further evaluation.

However, there's still plenty to look forward to.

Last year's Las Vegas Summer League provided Tony Snell, Nerlens Noel, Jabari Parker, C.J. McCollum, Tim Hardaway Jr. and 2014-15 Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins with a national platform to flash their promise.

Taking after young guns before them, expect Russell, Towns, Okafor and Porzingis to flaunt the skills that sent their draft stock skyrocketing when they hit the floor.