NBA Summer League 2024: Hot Takes on McCain, Holland, Top Stars from Day 8 Results

While several top picks like Zaccharie Risacher and Stephon Castle weren't in action on Friday for various reasons, other exciting rookies like Jared McCain and Ron Holland II showcased their skills on Day 8 of NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

The end of Summer League is just around the corner, so rookies are hoping to make an impression on fans over the coming days.

After Friday's action, here's a look at the results and a recap of some notable performances.

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Day 8 Results

New York Knicks 91, Detroit Pistons 90

Chicago Bulls 103, Atlanta Hawks 99

Dallas Mavericks 101, Boston Celtics 90

Phoenix Suns 115, Milwaukee Bucks 90

Philadelphia 76ers 96, San Antonio Spurs 80

Toronto Raptors 109, Miami Heat 73

Golden State Warriors 90, Oklahoma City Thunder 83

Charlotte Hornets, 84, Portland Trail Blazers 68

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Ron Holland II Continues to Show Promise for Detroit

Ron Holland II has taken somewhat of a backseat to some of the bigger names in the draft, but the No. 5 overall pick has quietly impressed throughout Summer League.

He added to a string of impressive performances on Friday in the Pistons loss to the New York Knicks.

Holland had 20 points, six boards and a pair of blocks, continuing to show his two-way ability early on. The biggest concern so far with Holland has been his efficiency, as he's struggled to hit shots at a consistent rate, but that should improve once he gets comfortable in the league.

After another solid outing, fans hyped Holland as he looks to help a struggling Pistons team.

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Jared McCain Cools Down After Strong Start at Summer League

Jared McCain has been mostly solid so far at Summer League, but the Duke product struggled a bit against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday.

McCain finished with eight points and five boards, shooting a lackluster 3-of-13 from the field. The No. 16 overall pick also had a pair of turnovers.

After McCain's struggles on Friday, fans questioned whether he will need some time in the G League before playing in the NBA.

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Kel'el Ware Continues to Show Defensive Promise

The Miami Heat drafted Kel'el Ware hoping to get some additional support on defense. So far, it seems like he'll be ready to give Miami just that.

The former Indiana star had 17 points, 10 boards and added four steals and a block, showing off his defensive abilities once again in Summer League.

The Heat likely won't look to Ware to be a star right away, nor will they expect him to be a huge offensive threat, but throughout Summer League he's proved that he's capable of being a solid option off the bench.

After the Heat's dominant win over the Raptors, fans once again praised Ware's defense.

Ware and the Heat have played their last regular game of Summer League and will now begin preparing for the tournament, which starts on Sunday.

Donovan Clingan Shines in Defeat

In an otherwise rough night for the Portland Trail Blazers, Donovan Clingan offered a glimpse of what his future as an NBA player could look like.

The UConn alum posted a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, along with four blocks and two steals in 24 minutes.

Clingan's two-way ability is what caught the attention of fans and analysts.

The Blazers have a potentially interesting decision to make. Deandre Ayton is a viable starting center, but he's proven to be a limited player throughout his career. The 25-year-old could be difficult to move with two years and $69.6 million remaining on his contract.

At some point during the 2024-25 season, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Clingan push for the starting job. He is unlikely to be as effective on offense as Ayton is, but the defensive upside is enormous for a team that finished 23rd in defensive rating last season.

Clingan and the Blazers will wrap up the Vegas summer league regular season against the Houston Rockets on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET.