NBA Summer League 2019: Zion's Debut Cut Short by Injury, Earthquake
The Las Vegas Summer League got underway Friday, with all eyes on the matchup between New Orleans Pelicans top overall pick Zion Williamson and New York Knicks No. 3 overall pick RJ Barrett in prime time.
But with a full slate of action on the day, we'll break down all of the results and highlights below.
Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns, Cancelled
The game was cancelled after a 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit Las Vegas during the New York Knicks-New Orleans Pelicans game.
Denver will instead open its summer league against the Orlando Magic at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, while the Suns' opener is set for 9:30 p.m. ET Sunday night.
Orlando Magic 75, San Antonio Spurs 59, Suspended
The Spurs were heating up, but the NBA decided to cancel the game at the conclusion of the third quarter as a precautionary measure after the earthquake.
Even so, Lonnie Walker IV put together a complete game for San Antonio with a game-high 28 points, which came after the second-year guard scored 20 in the Spurs' summer-league opener Tuesday.
The Magic were led by Erik McCree's 16 points, but Orlando's 2018 sixth overall pick, Mo Bamba, was right behind him with 15 points in 14 minutes. Friday night was Bamba's first time back on a court since being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left tibia in February.
The Magic and Spurs each return to action Sunday. San Antonio is set to tip off against the Charlotte Hornets at 3:30 p.m. ET. After that, Orlando takes the floor against the Denver Nuggets at 6 p.m. ET.
New Orleans Pelicans 80, New York Knicks 74, Suspended
Zion Williamson brought the thunder.
And then the rookie top overall pick had to leave the game prematurely after making knee-to-knee contact in the first half. A 6.9-magnitude earthquake in the fourth quarter ended the entire contest prematurely.
Prior to that, Williamson scored 11 points paired with three rebounds and a steal, including this theft off a rebound by Kevin Knox:
The Pelicans' leading scorer was Frank Jackson with a game-high 30 on 11-of-17 shooting from the field (5-of-9 from three).
Knox, outside of having the ball ripped away from him, finished the evening with 17 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. RJ Barrett, Williamson's Duke teammate and this year's third overall pick, scored 10 points on 4-of-18 shooting.
New York's leading scorer was Allonzo Trier with 21 points—two of which came via a dunk while the Earth was shaking.
The Pelicans will turn around and face the Washington Wizards on Saturday night at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN, while the Knicks will next be in action Sunday at 9:30 p.m. ET against the Phoenix Suns.
Charlotte Hornets def. Golden State Warriors, 93-85
Dwayne Bacon was sizzling on Friday night.
The third-year wing scored 25 points, leading the Charlotte Hornets to a 93-85 win over the Golden State Warriors.
Devonte' Graham joined in on the fun, adding 21 points and four assists, while last year's first-round pick, Miles Bridges, posted 13 points and seven rebounds.
Jordan Poole led the Dubs with 15 points.
The Hornets will next face the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET, while the Warriors will next play that same day against the Raptors at noon.
Chicago Bulls def. Los Angeles Lakers, 96-76
Coby White looked the part of a lottery pick in his Summer League debut.
The rookie point guard scored 17 points and added three assists and two steals, leading the Chicago Bulls to a 96-76 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
While he struggled from deep, finishing 0-for-7 from three, he showed the ability to finish at the rim or create offense off the dribble in the midrange. He may be raw, as expected, but the upside is there without question.
Chicago's Daniel Gafford was the best player on the floor, however, scoring 21 points while adding 10 rebounds and four blocks. Not too shabby for the 2019 second-round pick.
Zach Norvell Jr. led the way for Los Angeles with 15 points and five assists.
Chicago is next in action on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET against the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Lakers will take on the Clippers Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Dallas Mavericks def. Brooklyn Nets, 96-92
Cleveland led the way for Dallas on Friday.
Antonius Cleveland, that is. The wing posted 22 points and five rebounds, leading the Mavs to a 96-92 win over the Nets.
Cameron Payne (18 points, four assists, three steals) and 2019 second-round pick Isaiah Roby (10 points, four boards, two blocks) also made their mark in the win.
Jarrett Allen unsurprisingly led the way for the Nets, posting a monster game with 19 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Allen has already impressed in his first two NBA seasons, so a big performance in the Summer League is to be expected.
Rodions Kurucs (14 points, seven rebounds), Theo Pinson (14 points, six assists) and Dzanan Musa (14 points) had solid games for Brooklyn as well.
Dallas will next play the Houston Rockets on Sunday night at 9 p.m. ET, while Brooklyn will be in action against Croatia at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Miami Heat def. China, 103-62
Miami wasn't very welcoming to the traveling team from China.
The Heat annihilated their Chinese opponents on Friday, 103-62, behind 23 points and four assists from first-round pick Tyler Herro.
Nick Mayo (20 points, two steals) and Kendrick Nunn (14 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals) also showed out for Miami.
Zhelin Wang (12 points, 14 boards) led the way for China.
China will next play Saturday night at 11 p.m. ET against the Sacramento Kings, while the Heat are next in action on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET against the Utah Jazz.
Minnesota Timberwolves def. Cleveland Cavaliers, 85-75
A pair of 2018 draft picks led the Minnesota Timberwolves to victory on Friday.
Led by Keita Bates-Diop (17 points) and Josh Okogie (14 points, five rebounds, four assists), the Wolves knocked off the Cleveland Cavaliers, 85-75.
Undrafted free agent Naz Reid, who will play for the team this season on a two-way contract, added nine points.
Dylan Windler, meanwhile, led the way for the Cavs with 15 points and eight rebounds.
The Wolves will next be in action on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. against the Atlanta Hawks, while the Cavs will play that same day at 7:30 p.m. ET against the Chicago Bulls.
Philadelphia 76ers def. Milwaukee Bucks, 107-106
The Philadelphia 76ers nearly blew a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter before holding on to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, 107-106.
Philly needed solid showings from 2019 second-round pick Marial Shayok (19 points, 3-of-6 from three) and 2018 first-rounder Zhaire Smith (10 points, five assists, three rebounds and a steal). While Smith's box-score may not have popped, he played solid defense and showed off his leaping ability with a few ridiculous alley-oop finishes:
Second-year guard Shake Milton added 15 points and seven assists for the Sixers, while 2019 first-round pick Matisse Thybulle didn't make much of an offensive impact (seven points) but showed off his length and closing speed on the defensive end, picking up three steals.
For Milwaukee, meanwhile, Jock Landale (25 points, 10 rebounds), Bonzie Colson (22 points, five rebounds) and Daulton Hommes (18 points) led the way.
Second-year rotational player Sterling Brown added 13 points and seven rebounds, though he shot just 4-of-17 from the field.
Philly will next face the Boston Celtics on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ET, while Milwaukee will take on the Atlanta Hawks that same day at 5 p.m. ET.
Detroit Pistons def. Croatia, 96-80
Khyri Thomas had himself a game.
The sophomore guard absolutely toasted Croatia on Friday, scoring 26 points while leading the Pistons to a 96-80 win.
Thomas had it going on from deep, finishing 7-of-14 from beyond the arc. Second-year guard Svi Mykhailiuk added 17 points and five assists, while 2019 first-round pick Sekou Doumbouya was unable to participate with a hamstring injury.
Shooting guard Bruce Brown chipped in 14 points and seven assists in the loss.
Zeljko Sakic led the Croatians with 17 points and five rebounds.
Detroit will next take on the Portland Trail Blazers Summer League team on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET, while Croatia next plays the Brooklyn Nets at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday.
