NBA Summer League 2026 Preview for Biggest Games on Las Vegas Schedule
The Las Vegas Summer league often serves as the informally formal introduction of fans to the latest batch of NBA newcomers.
The performances don't always actually indicate long-term projections, but it's still usefulโor at least funโto see how celebrated rookies fare on this stage against draft class peers and a bunch of hungry roster-hopefuls.
While we'd recommend treating this event like a Las Vegas buffet and devouring all of the Summer League action you can handle, your schedule may not allow for that much hoops viewing. So, if you have to prioritize select contests, the following three should make your must-watch list.
Washington Wizards vs. Utah Jazz (July 9 at 9 p.m. ET)
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This is always the matchup NBA fans are looking forโnot the Wizards and Jazz, specifically, but rather the one pitting the top two picks against one another.
Washington tipped off this year's talent grab by taking uber-talented BYU swingman AJ Dybantsa first overall. Utah then followed by snatching Kansas scoring guard Darryn Peterson, a player regarded by some as the most talented in this entire draft class.
There are, of course, other players worth watching here. The Wizards are bringing along skilled sophomores Tre Johnson and Will Riley. The Jazz have 2025-26 All-Rookie second-teamer Ace Bailey, plus Cody Williams, the 10th overall pick in 2024 and the younger brother of Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams.
But those are all just enhancements for the real show: Dybantsa vs. Peterson in their latest bout for bragging rights. They may not go head-to-head often, but when they do lock horns, we might just see the kind of viral highlights that spawn a lot of reckless overreactions. It's one of the league's favorite summer pastimes.
Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Clippers (July 9 at 11 p.m. ET)
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The Clippers had the fifth pick and tied their future to lead guard Keaton Wagler out of Illinois. The Kings came on the clock two picks later and were thrilled to have Arkansas floor general Darius Acuff Jr. still on the board.
Both guards cracked the short list of this draft's most dynamic offensive talents. And if the basketball gods are feeling generous, they might spend a lot of time going head-to-head in this can't-miss collision.
Wagler pairs deep shooting range with rapid processing skills to form an electric combination that works both on or off the ball. Acuff had an argument for being this year's top pound-for-pound scoring prospect after torching college defenders to the tune of 23.5 points per game (plus 6.5 assists) on 48.4/44/80.9 shooting.
These franchises won't know exactly what their future holds after Thursday night, but a strong showing from these guards could lead to unbridled excitement.
Chicago Bulls vs. Memphis Grizzlies (July 10 at 8 p.m. ET)
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If the Dybantsa-vs.-Peterson debate was the strongest in this year's draft, the Cameron Boozer-vs.-Caleb Wilson argument wasn't too far behind.
Boozer typically earned the nod thanks in no small part to his advanced feel and impressive polish, but Wilson attracted many fans for his elite explosion and tremendous defensive potential. The Grizzlies, of course, went with Boozer at No. 3, and the Bulls snatched up Wilson right after at No. 4.
Since Boozer played his college ball at Duke, and Wilson went to North Carolina, these two have had a big-stage tussle already. While a hand injury kept Wilson out of the schools' second matchup, he was around and super active for the first, tallying 23 points, two steals and a block in the Tar Heels' three-point edge. Boozer, meanwhile, did what he could to change that outcome and double-doubled with 24 points and 11 rebounds.
The latest Boozer-vs.-Wilson bout is all the reason you need to keep a close eye on this contest, but this also features other first-round rookies (Karim Lรณpezย for Memphis, Dailyn Swain for Chicago) and some intriguing sophomores (Cedric Coward and Walter Clayton Jr. for the Grizzlies, Noa Essengue for the Bulls).
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