A look at top performers from Las Vegas on Day 9 of Summer League:
Obi Toppin, New York Knicks
Game Recap: Pistons 93, Knicks 87
Toppin scored the most of any player Friday, reaching 31 points against the Detroit Pistons on 12-of-20 shooting, including 2-for-5 from 3 and 3-for-4 from the charity stripe.
Scoring wasn’t the only way Toppin affected the game. He also pitched in two rebounds and showed off his two-way ability with three steals and two blocks. Impressively, he also had zero turnovers.
A 6-foot-9, 200-pound forward out of Dayton, Toppin was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. As a rookie, he averaged 4.1 points and 2.2 rebounds in 11.0 minutes.
Obi with authority. pic.twitter.com/A9WndFATNw
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) August 14, 2021
Toppin also saw action in the 2021 playoffs, where he averaged 6.4 points and 2.6 rebounds in 13.0 minutes in five games against the Hawks. Notably, he scored 13 points in Game 4.
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham is making a strong first impression on the NBA.
The No. 1 overall pick made 7 of 10 3-pointers and finished with 24 points, seven rebounds and three assists to help the Detroit Pistons beat the New York Knicks, 93-87, on Friday night at Summer League.
Bring out the umbrellas☔@CadeCunningham_ drains 7 triples to power the @DetroitPistons to the #NBASummer win! pic.twitter.com/e9x7SFQAiU
— NBA (@NBA) August 14, 2021
Cunningham shot 8-for-14 overall as the Pistons earned their first win in Las Vegas.
Jaylen Nowell, Minnesota Timberwolves
Game Recap: Timberwolves 91, Bucks 64
Jaylen Nowell’s performance helped Minnesota defeat Milwaukee. Nowell had 26 points and grabbed six rebounds, and had three assists in route to the Timberwolves beating the Bucks, 91-64.
"I wanna make sure I can lead this team both on the defensive end and offensive end."
Jaylen Nowell after scoring a game-high 26 PTS for the @Timberwolves#NBASummer pic.twitter.com/DFIHUUYkmf
— NBA TV (@NBATV) August 13, 2021
Nowell shot an impressive 11-for-22 from the field, while remaining present on the defensive end. Nowell and the Timberwolves showed up in Friday’s rout.
Trent Forrest, Utah Jazz
Game Recap: Jazz 84, Heat 65
The Jazz improved to 3-0 in Las Vegas behind the continual great play of Trent Forrest. The second-year PG put up a double-double — 19 points, 10 rebounds — while dishing out six assists.
The Florida State guard showed his consistent improvement in Friday night’s 84-65 victory over the Heat.
Udoka Azubuike (18 PTS) goes a perfect 8-for-8 from the field and Trent Forrest (19 PTS, 10 REB) gets the double-double in the @utahjazz #NBASummer win 🎵 pic.twitter.com/6KQQMbzgn0
— NBA (@NBA) August 13, 2021
Kira Lewis, New Orleans Pelicans
Game Recap: Pelicans 87, Cavaliers 74
The Pelicans weren’t fazed in facing No. 3 overall pick Evan Mobley and the Cavaliers. New Orleans defeated Cleveland, 87-74, behind play of second-year guard Kira Lewis Jr.
Lewis scored 22 points, adding two assists, and two rebounds. The sophomore guard out of Alabama appeared in 54 games last season, averaging 6.4 points per game and 2.3 assists, as the No. 13 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Kira Lewis never disappoints 🤩🤩
Watch with us LIVE on NBATV pic.twitter.com/DtsM0Y0Bsf
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) August 13, 2021
Moses Moody, Golden State Warriors
Game Recap: Warriors 94, Thunder 84
2021 Lottery pick Moses Moody’s play carried Golden State past Oklahoma City. Moody scored 22 points on 8-for-14 shooting from the field and 3-for-6 from beyond the arc in Friday’s 94-84 win over the Thunder.
Moody was selected No. 14 overall by the Warriors and is becoming more comfortable with NBA style play. His teammate, No. 7 overall pick Jonathan Kuminga, added another 18 to help Golden State cruise to a 2-1 record in Las Vegas.
22 PTS | 8-14 FG | 3-6 3FG@mosesmoody went to work tonight in Las Vegas 📽️ pic.twitter.com/RrncI9QaYx
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) August 14, 2021
Davion Mitchell
Game Recap: Kings 90, Grizzlies 75
The Kings remains undefeated in Las Vegas behind stellar play from rookie Davion Mitchell. The ninth pick in the NBA draft scored 19 points, dished out four assists and had three steals in Sacramento’s 90-75 victory over Memphis.
Throughout Summer League, Mitchell has not only showcased his scoring ability, but his defensive promise. It’s become evident that Mitchell will be a problem for NBA ballhandlers.
Davion Mitchell scores 19 PTS as the @SacramentoKings stay perfect at #NBASummer 👑 pic.twitter.com/dFiJukvUAx
— NBA (@NBA) August 14, 2021
Vic Law, Los Angeles Lakers
Game Recap: Lakers 86, Clippers 84
The Lakers won, 86-84, in a close matchup against the crosstown rival Clippers. Power forward Vic Law had team high 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the close win.
Vic Law scored 11 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 46 seconds left, as the Lakers beat their cross-town rivals.
