David Roddy scores 6 of his 21 points in the final 18 seconds against Oklahoma City, including the winning FTs with 0.3 left.
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• Summer League: Complete Coverage
The 20th year of NBA summer hoops in Las Vegas tipped off with a seven-game slate featuring the top three overall picks from the 2024 NBA Draft. Here’s a look at the players who shined brightest on Wednesday:
Keon Ellis, Sacramento
Though it wasn’t enough to avert Sacramento’s loss to New York, Ellis turned in one of the best all-around showings of this year’s Summer League with 29 points, six assists, four rebounds, four blocks and two steals. He drilled 5 of 10 3-point attempts, including what would have been the game-winner with 6.7 seconds left had the Kings been able to prevent Tyler Kolek’s go-ahead three-point play on the ensuing possession.
Taylor Hendricks, Utah
Hendricks was virtually perfect, converting 9 of 10 shots on his way to 23 points in Utah’s victory over Toronto. And it wasn’t like he was just feasting on chippies, either. Playing the modern heat map to perfection, Hendricks went 4-for-5 on jump shots, including three 3-pointers, while taking (and making) the rest of his attempts inside the restricted zone. He added nine rebounds, one steal and one block to round things out.
GG Jackson II & Scotty Pippen Jr., Memphis
Jackson and Pippen took turns dominating Orlando with the former piling up 27 points and 13 rebounds and the latter amassing 25 points, nine assists and four boards. Pippen was especially impressive late, scoring 16 points in the fourth quarter as the Grizzlies built a double-digit lead and held on late. Jackson, meanwhile, boosted his summer scoring average to 22.3 points per game to climb up the Las Vegas scoring chart.
David Roddy, Phoenix
In less than half a minute, what had been a solid performance for Roddy (21 points) in a likely loss to Oklahoma City became a great one in a miraculous comeback, thanks entirely to his heroics. First, Roddy hit a 3-pointer with 18 seconds to tie the game at 97-97. Then, following, a go-ahead bucket by the Thunder, Roddy knocked down all three free throws with 0.3 left after he was fouled on another attempted 3 to give Phoenix the win.
Kel’el Ware, Miami
While Heat starter Bam Adebayo impressed in Team USA’s Olympic tune-up win over Serbia, Ware added another quality entry in his ongoing audition to earn a rotation role behind him. The Mavericks had absolutely no answer for Miami’s No. 15 pick, who piled up 24 points (9-for-12 FGs), 10 rebounds and three blocks while helping hold opposing starter Jamarion Sharp scoreless in 16 minutes.
