When: Friday, July 7-Monday, July 17
Where: Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion, Las Vegas
Channels: ESPN family of networks | NBA TV
Victor Wembanyama, the highly-touted No. 1 overall pick, will soon have the opportunity to showcase his skills in front of a packed NBA crowd.
The NBA recently announced that tickets for the opening night of the Summer League in Las Vegas, where Wembanyama is set to make his debut for the San Antonio Spurs, have completely sold out.
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On Friday night, Wembanyama’s Spurs are scheduled to face the Charlotte Hornets, led by the No. 2 overall pick Brandon Miller.
Two days later, on July 9, the Spurs will take on the Portland Trail Blazers, featuring the third pick in the draft, Scoot Henderson of the G League Ignite.
As the most highly-anticipated prospect in recent memory, Wembanyama’s presence has generated immense excitement. Thankfully, the wait to witness his NBA debut will soon be over, and fans will have the opportunity to see him in action on the basketball court.
This matchup could potentially reunite Wembanyama and Henderson since their last fall exhibition game in Las Vegas.
Although the Spurs also participated in the California Classic Summer League in Sacramento, Wembanyama did not play.
It remains uncertain how much playing time he will receive in Vegas, as the Spurs aim to ensure he remains relatively fresh for the upcoming regular season.
Wembanyama has decided to skip the FIBA World Cup to focus on preparing for his first NBA season, prioritizing his physical development during the summer months.
The Summer League games will be held at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas from July 7 to July 17. The games will be broadcasted on various ESPN channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPNews, as well as on NBA TV in the United States.
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The Summer League features representation from all 30 NBA teams, with each team scheduled to play four games before a playoff bracket consisting of four teams is established.
The 26 teams that do not qualify for the playoffs will participate in a fifth game on either July 15 or 16, following which they will depart from Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, the four playoff teams will engage in a single-elimination tournament, commencing with the semifinals on July 16 and culminating in a championship game on July 17.
Furthermore, the Summer League allows the NBA to experiment with new rules before their potential implementation. This year, coaches will be granted a second challenge if their initial challenge proves successful.
Additionally, a trial of an in-game flopping penalty will occur, whereby a flop results in one free throw for the opposing team and possession.
These rule variations will provide an intriguing element to the games and serve as a platform for potential future rule adjustments in the NBA.
The evolution of the Las Vegas Summer League has been widely documented, tracing back to its inception in 2004 with a modest participation of six teams and 13 games. Since then, the event has experienced consistent growth, almost year after year.
Today, it has become an informal gathering for anyone affiliated with the NBA, serving as a leaguewide rendezvous.
Coaches, hundreds of players, and numerous basketball enthusiasts will be in attendance, eagerly awaiting the highly anticipated debut of Wembanyama on Friday.
Notably, the final days of this year’s Summer League coincide with the WNBA All-Star weekend, further enhancing the basketball fervor in Las Vegas.
You’ll check back here regularly to stay updated on the news.
