NBA Summer League 2025 Preview for Biggest Games on Las Vegas Schedule
The NBA's stars of tomorrow are set to take center stage today.
The 2K26 Summer League tips off in Las Vegas on Thursday, opening up an 11-day competition in which all 30 teams will play a combined 76 games.
With rotation and roster spots on the line, the competition figures to be ferocious. Since standings tend to matter less than individual performances, though, all eyes will be drawn to marquee matchups between some of the league's top prospects.
With that in mind, let's spotlight three of the can't-miss games on the upcoming slate.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks
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When: Thursday, July 10 at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Want to catch No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg's first taste of NBA action against Bronny James and the Lakers? You have two options. Either fork over a small fortune to see it in person or tune into the primetime broadcast.
Flagg's potential stardom is a draw all its own, but his summer league became even more interesting with Dallas' plans to try out the 6'8" do-it-all forward as a jumbo-sized point guard. Given that some of the biggest (only?) concerns around his game involve ball-handling and off-the-dribble shooting, it'll be fascinating to see how he fares as a primary offensive hub.
And the results of this experimentation could have ramifications felt across the entire Association. If Flagg becomes a top-shelf creator and comfortable pull-up three-point shooter, then he's a two-way superstar—full stop.
As for James, his bloodline remains more notable than his basketball skill, and given the absurd heights his father has reached, that will always be the case. That said, he has obvious role-player traits that could lead him toward a long career in this league.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Philadelphia 76ers
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When: Thursday, July 10 at 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Assuming the groin injury that kept Dylan Harper out of the California Classic doesn't sideline him here, NBA fans will be treated to a matchup between this year's Nos. 2 and 3 picks.
Harper was the second overall selection and might've been the first had his draft class not featured a player of Flagg's caliber. Harper has great size for a lead guard (6'5", 213 lbs), all of the advanced feel and instincts you'd expect from a former NBA hooper's son (his dad, Ron Harper, won five titles over his 15-year career) and the stop-on-a-dime suddenness that could have defenders feeling perpetually uncomfortable.
On the other side of this matchup sits No. 3 pick VJ Edgecombe, who already turned heads with his play in Salt Lake City. He's an elite athlete and tenacious defender who can fill highlight reels in transition and get where he wants in the half-court off the dribble.
Both prospects here have legitimate All-Star potential, and that will hopefully be on full display in this marquee matchup.
Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs
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When: Saturday, July 12 at 4 p.m. ET (ESPN)
While there are a number of other prospects we could spotlight here, let's not overthink it.
Flagg was the consensus best prospect in this class. Harper was universally regarded as the second-best prospect in the draft. Each had a tier to his own, and this matchup will give them a chance to validate those beliefs.
For Flagg, this will be his first chance to prove there really was a significant gap between him and everyone else in the draft. And if his on-ball offense is flowing, he'll do exactly that. He'll be a top-notch competitor and do-everything defender from the start, but if his offense looks similarly special, then we might be looking at the start of a historic career.
For Harper, this is his opportunity to show he should've been similarly—or maybe equally—regarded as Flagg during the predraft process. Harper could become a more consistent shooter and more consistently engaged defender, but his trajectory might just be an arrow pointing all the way up.
These two could be All-NBA teammates for years to come, and hoop heads will appreciate being able to see where it all started.
