In his Summer League debut, Jaden Ivey scores 20 points to go along with 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
• Pistons 81, Trail Blazers 78: Box score | Game details
Fifth overall pick Jaden Ivey scored a team-high 20 points and Isaiah Stewart was just a rebound short of a double-double to lead the Detroit Pistons to an 81-78 win over the Portland Trail in the NBA 2K23 Summer League on Thursday night at Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
The Pistons hit the ground running, forging a 29-19 advantage during the opening period, and the Trail Blazers only put a three-point dent into the deficit prior to intermission. Portland continued to chip away throughout the second half and managed a pair of ties during the final period, but Ivey’s two free throws and a driving layup in the closing minute sealed Detroit’s victory.
Keon Johnson led the Trail Blazers with 21 points, adding three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Brandon Williams followed with 15 points, four boards, four assists and one steal. Jabari Walker supplied 11 points, seven rebounds and one block. No other Blazer managed double-digit points, and Portland shot only 42.6% from the field, including 19.2% from 3-point range.
Ivey complemented his 20 points with six rebounds and six assists. Stewart and Saben Lee generated matching 13-point efforts, with Stewart also pulling down nine boards and Lee furnishing four assists and four steals among his other contributions. Braxton Key delivered 11 points, seven rebounds, two assists, four steals and two blocks.
The Pistons next take the court Saturday evening against the Wizards, while the Trail Blazers face the Pelicans on Saturday night.
