Dallas Mavericks vs Philadelphia 76ers LIVE ON ESPN 4K NBA 2K26 Summer League NBA LIVE NBA TODAY

Dallas Mavericks vs Philadelphia 76ers LIVE ON ESPN 4K NBA 2K26 Summer League NBA LIVE NBA TODAY

Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. [Applause] [Music] [Music] Heat [Music] up. [Music] [Music] Heat [Music] up here. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Music] [Music] [Music] Hey. [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] arena to get away from the heat. But see the heat that’s on the floor. Those two gentlemen right there. Picks number one and three in this year’s draft. Cooper flag. BJ Edgecom will not be playing today, but we’ll be cheering on their teammates along with giving them some advice. Welcome in to NBA 2K26 Summer League here on ESPN. Thomas and Max Center and along. What have you made of Cooper Flag thus far? Well, when you start with Cooper flag, you think about his competitive nature and how he impacts winning. And that’s what you from Cooper in game one. He was five of 21 from the field, but it was a win. And that’s the most important to Cooper flag. He could care less about the numbers as long as his team has at least one more point at the end of the game than does the other. It’s the most important thing to him, but he also happens to have a tremendous amount of skill to go along with that competitive nature. shooting the three in game two was much better. 11 of 21 from the field. His ability to go out and get a bucket, 31 points for him in that one. And showed off that shooting touch that has been much improved throughout this past year. And the ball in his hands a lot, too. There you see the difference between games one and game two. Those shots look good in game one. They just didn’t fall. But it is a make or miss league. And then on the flip side, the third pick in the draft, VJ Etchum. This is a young man who’s got a heck of a motor, Cory. There’s no doubt about that. One of the fiercest competitors out here. He absolutely is. If there’s anyone that can rival Cooper Flag as far as competitiveness in this league right now is VJ Edgecomb. He is absolutely competitive. These two guys have gone at it for time and time again. VJ won’t be playing tonight, but he actually got off to a great start in his last summer league. 28 points in his debut. didn’t shoot it as well last night and will sit on the back to back today. So no backto back for VJ and our starting lineups for Dallas, Maxwell Lewis, Matt Cross, Jamarian Sharp, Miles Kelly, Jordan Hall for Philly, Hunter Salis a two-way player, Janai Broom from Auburn, Almanza, Kebe Aluma, and Judah Mintz of Syracuse. So we are ready here at Thomas and Mack and The officials waiting just a moment to get us started in the interimm. Miles Kelly played for Auburn played at Georgia Tech before that. You and I were talking about this. This is like an ACC game here with these two squads. It really is. You’ve got You talk about Judah Mintz. You’ve got Matthew Cleveland. Of course, Cooper Flag. There’s ACC imprints all over this game. Matt Cross played for three different ACC schools. That’s right. That’s right. Good point. So, here we go. We’re going to get the toss between Almansa and Sharp. And Almansa wins. So, Philly will begin this one. Judah Mintz, crafty score and ball handler. Salah, a two-way player, locks it up. Air ball. So, sharp cross out there now. Jordan Hall to cross. Puts it on the deck. Knives into the paint. Layup. No good. Rebound to Broom. Mint on the step back. Had a little room. Good rebound there by Aluma. And the turnaround hook shot is good. This is a big lineup for the Sixers. You consider Kev Aluma at 69 playing at the small forward spot. So, some size on this Philly team and Aluma doing the job defensively as well, guarding on the perimeter. Great defensive stand on that possession. Lewis blows a tire turnover there. Philly going the other way. Broom, they’re telling to shoot the three. And you see why right there. A three-pointer. Says to call me after that one. Well, that was his celebration at Auburn. He and all his teammates did it all season long. If you watch Miles Kelly knock down one, he’ll probably use the same same celebration. Oh, he missed on that one. And then Broom comes up with the rebound on his former teammate. Turnover there. Miscommunication and that’s just bad spacing right there. Hunter Sales running through the post up. Almanza has his spot on the block but didn’t know the basketball was coming to him as Hunalis was trying to get to that ballside corner. Jordan Hall with the ball. We can do a little of everything, that’s for sure. Kelly on the curl for three. Kelly gets the three-pointer to fall. And there it is. Oh, did he put the Did he put the Sally up? Yeah, he did. Okay, there you go. But it was a little more sly, you know, it wasn’t as pronounced. Well, I’m sure these two guys have had a little conversation with each other after such a spectacular year at Auburn together. Left hand for Broom. No good. Rebound and no good for Almanza. 5-3 early here for the Sixers. Hall pulls from three. Wide to the mark. Rebound batted away. And we have a whistle foul there on Almanza. [Music] That’s his first. You get 10 fouls here at summer league. So we’ve seen some guys try to use all of them. Yeah. Well, Val Philipowski the other night came close and Thon Maker famously got all 10 one time. Don Maker was definitely one of them. Demarcus Cousins, too. I did not know that that Boogie got fouled out in a but not surprising. Yes, that’s fair. Not surprising. Shark misses both free throws and with the ball. You can’t take them home with him. No, that’s true. You might as well use them. Yeah, you might as well use them. Especially if you’re a guy that you know is going to be you’re going to be on the roster. Boogie knows he is absolutely going to be on the roster when he’s drafted by the Sacramento Kings. And so therefore, you’re trying to establish how the game is going to be played for you at the professional level as Sharp comes up with the huge block shot. He was tremendous with that in college. Corner three on the way. No good. Rebound Sharp. Man, he is huge out there. One thing on TV and the next thing is to see him in person. Now he’s all of 75. Cross on the three. Too strong. Rebound. Broom. Broom with the handles. Now they want him to do a lot of different things while he’s out here. Good footwork. Left hand short. But sharp at 75 can still affect shots even when he’s off balance. Just being that tall. And having the wingspan is able to affect that shot by Broke. Hall drives baseline. Kicks it to the corner. Cross now into the paint. Back out to Hall for three. All no good. Rebound Aluma. Luma a little out of control there. He gains possession. Turnaround jumper short. Not a lot of buckets here to start. Kelly can shoot it, but he certainly can put it on the deck, too. All wide open for three. gets the shooters bounce for three. Yeah, Hall’s got a couple of good looks. Gets to see one go down. As you mentioned, the shooters bounce and always a benefit to see one go down for you early. Normally start the trend for the remainder of the game and finds Broom straight away. Another three-pointer for Janai Broom. And Jana Broom has the ability to do that. Shot the three very well in college, of course. played in a two big lineup alongside Dylan Carwell. And that one’s going the other way as Kelly loses it. Miles Kelly again, Georgia Tech and then Auburn. Excellent shooter on the catch and shoot off the dribble. You name it, he can do it. He just walked by. Jai Broom just walks by Miles Kelly and whispers something in his ear. I’m sure had something to do with you better tell your guys they better get out there on me on this three-point line. Already two for two on the game. Jai Broom showing off that shooting touch letting his teammate from a few months ago know got to be guarded but from 23-9. Jana Broom such a connector I feel like on the floor. Different matchup now with Musi stepping out trying to defend him. Mark Armstrong checks in and right away hits a three-pointer. Seems like most of the field goals in this one have been from three. We know both Dallas’s field goals are three-point field goals made and three of the four from Philly have also come from beyond the arc. So at least the shooting touches here early. 539 remaining in this first quarter here. The moments that last forever go beyond what we see on the court. You are the finals. [Music] [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] Vegas where the Mavericks are taking on the 76ers. I’m Vanessa Richardson and summer league is full of a lot of firsts for the young rookies even if you’re a superstar like Cooper Flag. He said after that second game he felt a lot more comfortable, a lot more settled in. Said it’s all about trusting the work I’ve put in. And regarding the ball handling, he was really honest. He said he feels like he was solid, but also said it was exhausting. Summer League head coach Josh Broer said he handled it well. He said summer league is a different beast. He only had three turnovers. Handling pressure with that physicality is going to be a big part of the NBA. and he handled it well. And get this guys, Cooper Flag said, “I missed some free throws.” My mom probably didn’t like that. No, I can tell you right now, his mom, Kelly, is his and Kelly actually coached him. She was a baller at Maine United, but she she was, of course, a great player at Maine, but she coached him at Maine United through his EyL career. So, she is probably his biggest biggest critic, but also his biggest fan. No doubt. And about a year ago, this this time last year, as Armstrong scores there on the left hand layup, he was on the USA select team that went up against the Olympic team. And that’s really where a lot of people caught wind of Cooper Flack. I mean, people knew that he was coming, but then to perform the way he performed then against those guys, I think really caught people’s eyes. Yeah, he really showed tremendous improvement. When you go back to, you know, a little over a year ago when Cougar was playing at the McDonald’s All-American game, the Hoop Summit, all the tour that you play in as a high school senior, he’s always been a good offensive player, but the way that he grew from that time to where he started his season at Duke last year, he grew by leaps and bounds as a offensive player. What he does defensively, he’s been doing that since he was in eighth grade. But when you look at what he has done on the offensive end of the floor, the second youngest, first overall pick in history behind LeBron James. And that was at a time only eight days difference. But that was also at a time where there was not one and done. Well, it was the one and done. You could have, but more importantly, there was not a rule where you had to go to college, right? LeBron came straight out of high school, right? So, Cooper reclassed up to be able to be in the draft this year and was only able to do so because he has a late December birthday. Mark Armstrong, another three. He’s got eight points quickly here. Yeah. With Flag though, Cece, wild shot there. Ball will stay with Flag though. Again, I talked to people who were there at those USA select games and people who didn’t necessarily follow his high school career were like, “Whoa, you got to see this kid play.” And it’s different when you’re talking about the McDonald’s All-American game and you’re talking about playing against grown men who are going to be playing representing our country. Absolutely. And and Grant Hill, of course, who is managing director of the USA men’s national team, is very familiar with Cooper. Grant lives in Orlando. He was around Cooper a lot when he was playing at Montg. But even Grant was saying, “Hey, CA, he’s improved. He’s gotten a lot better offensively.” And Cooper really showed that. And again, it was truly after he turned 18 years old, December 21st, he had a jump offensively at Duke that was unparalleled. Of course, scored a ACC record 42 points against Notre Dame in a game earlier this year and just never looked back. Dallas certainly in great position when the lottery balls bounced their way. So, we’ve got some more substitutions here. Marian Sharp gets back in for Cece. So, one starter out there for Dallas. Also today, you won’t see, we talked about Cooper and VJ not playing, but no Ryan Nemh hard for Dallas. And then for Philly, Justin Edwards won’t play today either. and Jess who’s really improved shooting the basketball and you’re talking about the number two player in the country two seasons ago went undrafted as Judah Mintz knocks down the three ball and that’s an area where Philly wants him to be able to take those shots more importantly again they would love to see him make some but they want him to have that mindset to shoot the basketball freely same with Justin Edwards who knocked down five threes yesterday nice layup there by Mcloin Armstrong has played well here at Summerling with the ball. Now Sharp lost a shoe but was able to put it right back on and get back down the floor. One of two things too. Yeah, but his shoes can’t be tied tight enough. If you can put it back on that quickly, you got to tighten up those laces. Molin wide to the mark. Put back is no good. Sharp goes up. He gets stripped by St. Thomas and Judah Mintz decides to pull short there. Thomas with the rebound. Armstrong wide open three gets that one to fall and a timeout. Dallas as Armstrong has 11 points. An 11-point lead and Sharp getting his shoe kicked off. Get it back on in one felt swoop. Always something fun here at Summerloop. NBA 2K26. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Action continues tomorrow on NBA TV, ESPN and the ESPN. on NBA TV tomorrow. Detroit and Miami at 4 Eastern, Atlanta, Memphis at 6 Eastern, Houston, Portland at 8 Eastern, and then the Night Cap, Golden State, and Toronto at 10 Eastern. Mclofflin with the shot there. Georgeado, Cory Alexander, and Vanessa Richardson with you at Thomas and Mack. Three balls been falling for Mark Armstrong and his team. Six of 12 from the field. I’m wondering why he’s inside the three-point line right now. Four of four from beyond the arc. Don’t even step in there at least until you miss one. St. Thomas with the midi. No good. Good rebound there by Slawson. There it is. Back to the corner and he gets fouled. Got that one away quickly as he saw the closeout coming. And Mark Arsar off to a great start. going to get some extended minutes tonight without some of the usual starters in this summer league for the 76ers and taking advantage of his opportunity. And again, so much of this is about an audition for all 30 teams. Well, and beyond as as well as, you know, teams outside of America when you consider the fact that many European scouts are here as well, scouting opportunities and players that can join their rosters in August, September, and early in this game, Mark Armstrong’s made himself some money. Oh, I don’t think there’s any question about that. He gets two of the three free throws. Yeah, I’m tripping off missing a free throw, though. It’s so close. How’s that happen? Armstrong, by the way, gold medalist. FIA under 18 in 2022. He’s got as many points as Dallas does right now. Armstrong. All wild pass. Armstrong bats it to Mclofflin. Now Maxwell Lewis on the drive. Gets that one to drop. Maxwell Lewis is interesting. Obviously drafted by the Lakers several years ago, been on the move since this Dallas team, you know, he can spot up and shoot and he’s athletic, but they wanted to handle the ball a little more as we got to travel. Yeah, especially today when you consider there’s no Cooper flag, there’s no Rhard in the lineup. That’s going to put more onus on Lewis to be a bar handle. Right now, they’re also going to task Miles Kelly to do the same. And Miles Kelly didn’t handle the basketball a lot at Georgia Tech or at Auburn. But that’s one of the things with summer league coaches are often asking their players to get out of their comfort zone and see. I mean, again, you’re already uncomfortable trying to develop in a new league, a new environment, but they want to take you even further out of your comfort zone to see what you actually have in your arsenal. Yeah. Well, that makes me think of what Eric Spolster said about KL Wear a couple days ago, and he had a comment where he said, “You got to be uncomfortable or comfortable being uncomfortable in this league.” Well, and that’s absolutely the case with the Miami Heat. We already know that and um you know but we did see Khlo We respond in the correct manner. Amanza defunk wide open for three. Short rebound. Kelly comes up with it now. Hall on the move. Lewis too strong rebound Funk. Here’s the man of the hour, Armstrong. As we’re winding down here in the first quarter, 10sec differential, game clock, shot clock, weaving through the paint to Almanza, gets fouled. [Applause] So, Almanzo will go to the free throw line. Amanza, no stranger to Las Vegas. two seasons ago played his home games not in this arena but in Henderson Nevada for GLeague Ignite. Yep. Playing alongside Modis Busllis and Ron Holland [Music] misses the first. Two lottery picks in the draft two seasons ago. So looked really good here the other day. Well, he he tried to take someone’s soul on a dump on Monday. No doubt about that. He didn’t make it. But man, I tell you what, when when they start showing the replays of the misses, that was a spectacular attempt. Well, and that’s the type of stuff you want to see. Slawson with the rebound, but it’s going the other way. Yeah, it’s going to be a violation. Yeah. Um, you want to see those secondyear players just dominate, make the jump. Yeah, you want to see those guys in their second year summer league make the jump, especially if they had opportunity to get minutes on their NBA squad throughout the year, which Buzzel was able to do. So, as Chicago struggled at times, he was able to get on the floor, but you also want to see the level of aggressiveness change. And we’ve saw that with Justin Edwards with the Sixers. Justin started off the year playing primarily in the GLeague, but by the end of the season with all the injuries, he was a starter at times for the build up to 76. 4 seconds to go here. Hall step back way short. It looks like Slo may have gotten a piece of that. So after one, it’s Philly 2415 over the Mavs. Armstrong three for three from downtown. Jai Broom has a couple as well. Sixers are rolling from beyond the ark. [Music] [Music] [Music] Hey, Mclofflin and Gabe, the 76ers have kind of been able to find a rhythm from three. What’s the key to defending that? I mean, I think it’s just comm communicating properly, you know, getting there early on the switches, but also uh you know, just protecting the rim. They’re good at getting to the rim. So, um just talking switches. Individually, what are you hoping to show out at summer league? Uh just that I can compete, you know, I can shoot the ball and then also just get downhill, you know, do whatever the team needs and just be one of those players that could be a dog really. So, love it. Thanks for the time. Thank you, guys. Hi, Vanessa. Thank you. Gabe Mclathlin played for the Grand Rapids Gold in the GLeague along with Jaylen Williams. That’s the Denver Nuggets affiliate. And he wants to play like a dog as you see Almanza with the push shot there. Who’s your old dog team at summer league right now, Cory? Okay, I’m going to start out with two guys who are actually in this game but not participating. Probably number two on the chart would be VJ Edgar. Okay. I would I would put him there. Of course, Cooper flag right there in the mix, but I’m going Cooper at three. Oh, okay. Okay. So, Etchham number one. Etchham. No, no, no, no. Number one, Jamal shed. When I tell you Houston, Toronto Raptors. When I tell you he absolutely gets after it. And I’m going to go for Nick Clipper. Nick Clipper with the Kings has been spectacular doing it on both ends of the floor, but never taking a play off. I’m not sure who my big man is. I was just going to say I need I need one more guy. Got to put some thought into the big man. Come back to it. Maxwell Lewis inside the paint. Rattles one home. Lewis with four points. Nine-point ball game. I’m going to need that big man though by the end of this half. Yeah, we we working on it. Armstrong snakes through the paint from the free throw line. Jumper’s no good. Hall with the board. That’s why he needs to stay outside the line. They’re perfect out there this far. Maxwell Lewis pump fake on the drive. Reverse layup is good. That’s tough to defend. Maxwell Lewis comes to a stop as though he’s going to shoot the pull up, but then that extended step allows him to get to the other side of the basket for what seemingly looks like an easy layup. However, there’s nothing easy about the play that Maxwell Lewis just made. Dorovic with the turnover there. Stepped out of bounds. Oh yeah, Judah Men is on that team as well. Now he’s not a big I was just going to say Nate, you got a small team. I mean, you could go small. I mean, Cooper can play one through five. So again, I mean, if we had to put him at center, but I’m going to think of a big I’m going to think of a big, but Judah is absolutely on that team. Small ball, big. There you go. Lewis for three. Lewis gets that one to fall. And a timeout for TJ Deo as he wants to talk things over. Maxwell Lewis has got the Mavs right back into this. A 70 run for the Mavs. [Music] Heat. Heat. N. [Music] [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. N. [Music] [Music] Xlander [Music] with you here. Philly up four and we’re joined by the EVP head of basketball ops for the NBA, newly minted in the role, threetime NBA champion James Jones. How are you, sir? Man, I’m fantastic. Thanks for having me. Yes, sir. Good to have you aboard. So, what went into taking this new role? Um, a really exciting opportunity. I’ve had an opportunity to do a lot of things in basketball as a player, working for the PA, um, being in the front office in Phoenix. I was blessed with that opportunity and I thought, um, at this stage in my career, uh, this was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up because it allows me to continue to to to grow in the game of basketball and impact it in a great way. Get back to the game that gave me so much. JJ, you’ve been in pretty much every area when you consider the different roles that you’ve had even as a player. Does do you think that gives you a little more, you know, relativity to all the players and all the decisions that you’re going to have to make moving forward? I do. I mean, I I I say a lot like my my whole goal is to make sure that we continue to to remove friction from the game. uh that allows our performers to perform and and our coaches, our our staffs, our players, uh support group, everyone in the NBA, they play a role in making this the best game in the world. And um I I’ve been given a lot and I know what goes into it. So I have a great appreciation for everyone um all the contribution. Now in that role, sometimes you got to be the bad guy a little bit. You got to adjudicate on some things. Uh you know, I know Joe talked about that at times. Have you talked to Joe at all about the role? Yeah, I did. I mean, and and Joe’s the best, man. Like, he has the best um approach to all of it. Uh because he was the ultimate competitor and he’s always been done it with the highest integrity and he’s always tried to not uh color outside the lines, but he tried to play as hard and compete as hard as he could within clearly defined lines. And so, that’s my job. My job is to make sure that the players are clear like these are the expectations. These are the things that we do. Um the boundaries for competing with integrity. And uh I I want them to play with passion. I want them to know uh we want them to be the best of their version but best version of themselves. But we we have to have some kind of lines that uh we we hold to. Well, you played with passion, but you’re not that far removed from playing. And when it’s all said and done, you’re going to actually have to have these conversations with a number of guys that you played against. Believe it or not, man, the guys I played with are a lot getting few and far between. But well, there’s that one guy in LA that’s but but yeah, I don’t know. He might go forever. But I mean, but ultimately the the the same things remain. Uh these guys are the best basketball players in the world. They’re the most competitive players in the world and they play with passion and they play with a sense of purpose. And you can never uh underestimate uh just how much um having someone who sat in that spot. Um having someone with my my experience allows them to know that when we make these decisions about the game, we’re doing it with them with their best interest at heart. And for those that in the audience that may not know your background, I mean, you’ve been involved with the players association. You were a player. Like you were the rep, I remember for many, many years in different spots. like this is something I would imagine that um you’ve not only been prepared for from you know what you’ve been doing in a front office role and having to deal with players in that capacity but because of the way you were involved as a player as well. I mean, it’s a you have a great appreciation when you know how hard uh people work and how hard it is to get here and better yet to stay here. And you know, that’s always given me that that that drive to to do whatever I can to to make whoever I’m working with, whoever I’m playing with um the best version of themselves. And in order to do that, you need to know what you’re what you’re doing. So, that’s been my my my passion is knowing everything about this game so that at some point if someone asks me how they succeed, um I have an answer. Well, I I like that. and someone asked you how do you succeed? What would be your advice to many of these rookies and first timers? Guys like Jana Broom, Cooper Flag, BJ Eskim, their first attempt, their first summer league, their first chance of being a professional basketball player. What’s the first thing that you tell them when you meet these guys? I tell them show up early, notice uh um pay attention to who shows up early, but then really understand that you don’t know anything about the NBA game. You were the best player at some level. Um, you were probably the best player in high school, the best player in the state, best player in college. Now you’re competing with trying to competing against the best players in the world. And the only people that know what that’s like are the people in these rooms, your coaches, your teammates, uh, outside the building. There is some some value to listening, but listen to the people that are actually doing it. 120 run here for Dallas after that emphatic dunk there. James Jones with us here, the EVP head of basketball ops for the NBA. when you know you mentioned about how you don’t know anything until you know something basically with these guys at this age as Mark Armstrong hits a turnaround jumper there. When did it kind of click for you? I mean you were to your point the best player at American High School. You were one of the best players at the University of Miami. You get to the NBA. When did that click? I mean it clicked for me in Indie. My second year in Indie. Um we had a really good team. Um actually Malice in the Palace was was u I was a part of that. I was on that team that that had that unfortunate incident. Um but when you play with Germaine O’Neal, Reggie Miller, Ron Artes, Steven Jackson, um Jeff Foster, Jamal Tinsley, you know, Jonathan Bender, like all these guys that at that time 24, 25, 26, and they’re the best players in the world. When you’re out there competing against them and you get their respect where they say, “Hey, you know what? Like you are you’re you’re a player.” That’s when it clicked for me. And I think and I knew that at that point um if I wanted to stay in this league, I had to outwork those guys, but more importantly, I had to gain their respect. Mark Armstrong continues. James Jones out there shooting threes. He’s just way more athletic. Four for four from downtown. No, we’re not going to we’re not going to allow you to get away with that one. Your athleticism allowed you to be an elite defender at this level. And when you think about what you have to do on the defensive end, and you mentioned you don’t know anything about the NBA until you truly get there from that standpoint alone, is that the advice you give guys is how they get on the floor. 100%. Like you you talk about scoring at the in the NBA, these are the best scorers in the world. Um these guys have been doing it at a very high level. And for the most part, when you step on a team, it’s going to require energy. Um it’s going to require effort and and a desire to stop someone. Um, you know, it defense wins championships. They say it all the time. You know, once you get a lead, you need to protect it. The only way to do it as defend. And if you’re a rookie, a veteran coach is not throwing you on the court to score a bucket. EVP head of basketball ops for the NBA, newly minted in the role, James Jones, threetime NBA champion. Thank you for stopping by, James. Thanks for having me. I really appreciate it. All right, we’ll be back in a moment. [Music] [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] NBA Cup tips October 31st. The much anticipated tournament returns with all 30 teams in group play and eight advancing to the knockout rounds and only one will capture the cup. Visit NBA.com/mbbacup to learn more. George Sedono, Cory Alexander, Vanessa Richardson with you here in Las Vegas. We got ourselves a game and Maxwell Lewis strikes again from downtown as the Mavs take a lead 33-31. Maxwell Lewis up to 15 points now. He’s got up to a great start here in this first half. Continues to stay effective after a slow start. He has 15 in the game, 13 in the second quarter. Maxwell Lewis. Good ball movement. Wide open for Kelly. Buries that one. No s for Kelly though as my guy Ira Bowman assistant coach at Auburn University here watching Kelly and Jana Broom go back and forth as Broom turned he’s able to knock down a three ball and now he had Judah Mintz do the shell can a Syracuse guy do that Maxwell Lewis step back feeling it too strong [Music] mentioned the NBA Cup a second ago I was there last year when Milwaukee won against OKC. What an event the NBA puts on there. Huge success thus far. Kelly on the pull up there. No good. Rebound Funk. Slawson on the drive. Goes up strong. Ball batted around back to Slawson somehow. Not great spacing on that. Three on two. Maybe threeon one on that possession, but offensive rebound gets it back in the hand. These two teammates going at it. Offensive foul and Broom not happy about it. Kelly just laughing about it. If there’s anyone that Jai Broom would be okay with getting that offensive foul against, it’s his former teammate. And that’s why he has the smile on his face as he’s talking with the official. He’s saying he flopped. That’s what he’s telling the official. Under 120 to go in the first half. Two-point ball game. Here’s Kelly. Mince guardian from the elbow. Kelly nothing but net. Four-point lead. Kelly with the give me a steal with the Lewis. Cece with the athletic move and gets fouled. Took a hard fall, but the big man bouncing up. Slawson will pick up that foul. A nice steal by Lewis gets the basketball in the hands of Musa Cisce attacking the basket showing he can play off the bounce a little bit as well. Musi another one of the guys who reclassed up out of high school, skipped his senior year, played at three different schools. Was at was Mr. Memphis or Mr. Tennessee, excuse me, in high school. Yes. And then went to Memphis. Spent time at Memphis, at Old Miss, at Oklahoma State, and finished at Memphis. Yeah. Came back. Mhm. Three different schools, four stops. Moved to the United States from Guinea at 13, spent a year in New York, and then in Tennessee at 14 years old and beyond. Under a minute to go here. Broom. Hence gets the screen from Broom. Baseline on the Nash dribble working his way back up. High off the glass and in for Judah Mintz. Nice touch by Judah Mintz. More importantly trying to get Cece off balance is able to do so just enough to get it over the outstretched arm of the shot block. Two-point ball game. Kelly and Mince doing battle again. Now the switch on to Thomas. Kelly on the drive. The push shot is short. Fighting for the rebound. Kelly comes up with it, but he stepped out of bounds. So 20.5 seconds left. Shot clock is off. Sixers can tie or take the lead here heading into the half. One foul to give for Dallas. Under 10. Armstrong has been hot. Can’t go under a screen against Armstrong. Goes up and a block there by Cece. Jaylen Williams. The he Oh, just short. Won’t count though. It won’t count. But Mark Armstrong, who has shot the three extremely well, allowed a defender to go underneath. That should have been a pull up three ball for a guy that that’s hot, George. And when you talk about hot, Armstrong has been just that from beyond the arc, but he has been matched by Maxwell Lewis. Great game here in the first half. Heat [Music] up [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] We’re with VJ Edgecom, the number three overall pick for the Philadelphia 76ers. VJ, just what’s the experience been like being out at Summer League? No, it’s been great. um getting to see a lot of people I’ve never seen before now. I’m still a little star struck, you know, but overall it’s been great, man. Um just enjoying it. But yeah, you made your debut out in Salt Lake and it was fantastic. Unfortunately, you’ve been sidelined with a thumb injury. Yep. What’s that been like having to watch from the sidelines being here in Vegas? Man, um as a basketball player, you know, you antsy, but you know, taking the necessary rehab or whatever it takes for me to, you know, get out there hopefully one day. We obviously hope that we can see you play at some point, but what kind of player do the Sixers get in drafting you? Something that’s coming in to work hard, a two-way player, um, coachable player. Um, uh, the team I’m a teammates player, too. You know, um, you know, I play for my teammates, play for the organization, play for the city. So, that’s something that’s going to come in and work hard. Through your when you found out it was the Sixers, in fact, they were going to draft you. What excited you most about that opportunity? Man, it it was amazing. Um, knowing knowing I’m going to a great organization, uh, I feel like I feel, you know, we have a chance to go to the finals. So, I’m ready. What What excites you most about being able to learn and work with somebody like Tyrese Maxi who has just had a skyrocket career once he got into the league? Man, it’s going to be amazing cuz, you know, seeing where how how much he um progressed, you know, how much he got better. You know, I’m willing to just go in there and learn. What’s the greatest piece of advice you’ve received just during this time as you get prepared for your first NBA season? uh to stay the course and enjoy the journey. Have you set any goals for yourself as a rookie? Yeah. Yeah, most definitely. Um first team rookie uh championship. I want I wanted the championship. Um yeah, they my main goals right there. To that point, when you think 10 years down the road, when you look back at your career, what do you hope you’ve accomplished at that point? Man, I want to be able to accomplish a lot. Um I want to be, you know, inspiring to the younger generation. Oh man, anyone coming up after me, anyone that look up to me, I want to be aspiring to them. So, VJ, thank you so much for the time. We’re here for our convertible. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] with a two-point lead against the Philadelphia 76ers. Welcome back here to Thomas and Max Center alongside Cory Alexander. I’m George Sedano. Vanessa Richardson will join us in a second. And you talked about this earlier, Cory. When guys aren’t playing, no VJ Hitchkum, no Cooper flag. Other guys got to step up and take advantage of those situations. And Mark Armstrong has certainly done that today. He absolutely did. Mark Armstrong had 10 field goal attempts in the first half and he’s made six of them. Four of them have to be from beyond the three-point arc, but got himself going early and often in this game. Started out four of four. Perfect from beyond the ark. And Mark Armstrong putting some money on paper right now, especially scoring all those touch from beyond the ark. Armstrong from Villanovva again, a gold medalist under 18 2022 for FIA. And he is absolutely earning some cash today as you mentioned. And you know what’s even better is he’s doing it coming off the bench. It’s very difficult to be a especially a point guard, a small guard coming in and making threes when you don’t start the game. You start out not necessarily involved in it, not in a rhythm, but to be able to come off the bench and make shots as he has, that is a skill in itself. Very fluid player when you watch him play. No wasted movements. We get started here in the second half. Maxwell Lewis gets rejected by Aluma. goes back up again and Broom cleans it up. Nice job defensively once again by Kev Aluma. We highlighted that he was playing the small forward position. Nice wraparound pass there and a foul on Sharp. Aluma was primarily a four in college at Virginia Tech, but showing that he has the ability to guard and that’s one of the things his coaching staff talked to us about. They can put him in play him in different spots because of his versatility, but not just on the offensive end, his defensive as well. Great feel for the game, Aluma. for sure. So, Amanza, the international product, played for G-League Ignite, gets the first free throw to fall and buries them both. So, tie ball game. There’s Nick with Nick Nurse yesterday pregame. This is a back to back for the Sixers. Now, the big club, as you see, another three-pointer there. This one from Miles Kelly. The big club for Philly, I mean, they could not have had a worse year from an injury perspective. They had just incredibly awful luck. But in a Eastern conference that’s pretty wide open, I kind of like their chances. Well, I mean, it it’s simply going to, you know, with most teams, it’s going to blow over. Hunter Sales goes up, throws it down, and gets the foul. So, pregame walking through the tunnel, I looked at Hunter Sales, who of course spent his last two seasons at Wake Forest and simply said, “Do something today. He listened.” Two-way player for the Sixers. So, you saw Nick Nurse smiling earlier. I’m sure he’s smiling about that, too. Absolutely. Hunter Sales at 6’5. the ability to finish, as you can tell, over the top of the rim, but also has perimeter skill to be able to play both guard positions. Spent a lot of time at the point this year for Steve Forbes at Wake Forest. Maxwell Lewis with 15 for Dallas. It’s a fade away wide off the mark, but all in the right place at the right time. Hall wide open for three. Late contestant buries that one. Mavericks with a three-point lead. Yeah, Jordan Hall got off to a pretty decent start as well, knocking down the three ball, but he’s been really the primary ball handler for the Mavericks throughout this game. No Cooper flag on the floor. We know we they’ve played Cooper at the point a lot. Hall will pick up the foul there off of offensive rebound. all able to relocate. Miles Kelly finds him. There’s Coupe ice in his vein. Everybody has a different celebration. Salace again, the two-way player for the Sixers. Er pass and that’ll be over and back. Mince trying to Kelly touched it. Yeah, I believe the officials are going to talk this one over. Tommy Woo didn’t see. All right. So, it will be Philly ball. Aluma will inbound it right in front of us. Miles Kelly, you can see get his hand on the basketball finger. Yep. So, Tommy Woo, JP Prim, Cameron Gerber are officials today. Aluma on the drive. Euro finishes at the rim gets the foul too. Hey, great recognition of the shot clock after the loose ball. Kev Aluma knowing they’re down to 8 seconds on the shot clock. The nice pump fake and then attacking the rim. Able to finish through the contact. Opportunity for one more at the stripe could tie this game. Aluma led Virginia Tech in scoring. second team all ACC. Gets that one to fall. So, tie ball game at 44. All the screen from Sharp to the corner, but we have a whistle. Nice read by Hall, though. The left hand hook pass all the way to the opposite corner off a screen and roll action. You can see the ability that he has. Why the Mavericks have a comfortable putting the basketball in his hands allowing him to be a playmaker. Aluma picks up the foul there. That’s his second. Got plenty to go until he gets the 10. Get the Got a lot to give up, man. Yes, you do. That’s why you’ve seen so much physical play, honestly, here at Somerville. Hall finds Cece. Nice pass. with the flush. But Hall was just able to look off defenders with his eyes making him think he was going crosscourt once again and able just to drop the D to Cay. Nice hands by Lewis. The deflection knocks it off of Sawson. Look at this play here. Hall again. He can eyes. You notice he looks to the opposite corner. That enough was to hold Kev Aluma in place allowing him to drop it off to Musa Cisi under the basket. Hall’s been impressive with his playmaking all summer league long. By the way, Hall tries to finish there, but he gets the call and Slawson looking around like what? Who me? But what I love about it is Hall understands the difference as to when to be a playmaker, a passer, and also when to look for his own. Often times guys when they’ve made a number of nice passes in a row look to solely become a passer and that time Hall able to get downhill get to the rim and has rewarded with will be rewarded with two free throws. Part of it part of that is not only was he a good player at St. Joseph’s but being part of the G-League team the Texas legends like just understanding how to play in games like this. He’s got a lot of experience. Well that’s it and in G-League you get quality reps and that’s the thing being able to play and make those reads in live action. That’s something that you cannot replicate. So, but you can tell that they’re doing a tremendous job with the Legends and developing him as a playmaker. Brandon Williams played with the Legends and got to play with the big club. Yeah. And played very well at the end of the season after the Kyrie Irving injury. Armstrong pocket pass to Almanzo. Can’t fall. So, Hall going the other way. Hall throws it up to the corner to somebody. He was expecting Cay to go for the lob, but he was a step late. Kelly with a contested three. Thomas on the save now. Armstrong on the move. Armstrong attacks the basket. Reverse layup. No good. Amanza with the board. Short on the putback and Kelly comes out with it. Hall of up for C. The Mavs have shared the basketball extremely well as of late. A lot of it having to do with Jordan Hall. But Musa Cisce running the floor, giving his teammate an outlet. But the last thing you want to do is give up a easy layup after a May bucket. Cece again kicks it out to Lewis. A 6-2 run for Dallas. Corner three on the way. short. [Music] [Applause] Slawson, they have numbers. Men’s pump fake off the window and in. Java Lawson can also be a playmaker. Spent the majority of this season with the Oyola Magic who lost in the G-League finals this year, but Slawson is a guy that in college as well as in the G-League has been a triple double threat. But the Mavs getting out on the break. Jordan Hall to Musa Cece with the finish above the rim as they take a two-point lead. [Music] The moments that last forever go beyond what we see on the court. You are the finals MVP. These moments start out with the ball, a dream, and a relentless will to win. They’re the culmination of every effort put into the game since they first stepped on the court. All of those moments have led to this one. NBA 2K26. Ball over everything. Rated E for everyone. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] That’s one. Hey, come here. Come here, Drew. They got to get in the white room. Come on, D. Come on. D. Come on. boy with a hand up. Boy, hand your man down. Jai Broom putting on a show on the floor and with his game his mouth and Bruce Pearl, his former coach at Auburn joining us. He’s got three players in this game and six overall here at summer league joining us now. Now Janai, we know he was a great connector on the floor, but I don’t I didn’t know he had that kind of game talking too, coach. He talk trash all the time. And you come to practice, man, all you do is complain about the officiating. Every just begging for calls all the time. Miles Kelly took a charge on him earlier today. Kind of give him a little flop. I loved it. Absolutely coach loved it. You coached one of the best players in college basketball this year in Jana Broom. really was a two-man race between Janai and Cooper Flag for the for the national player of the year. You also took your Auburn team number one into Cameron indoor to play against Cooper Flag. What did you take away when you saw Cooper for the first time? You know, Cory, I’ve been watching Cooper since he was like 14 years old, right? He’s the hardest worker, the most competitive player. And what people don’t realize, he’s just like 18 going be 19. I know. like LeBron and he are the two youngest players to ever get drafted and so he affects winning. He makes winning plays. An incredible competitor and um but it was it was great to go up against him in that one versus two matchup. Now Janai about four years older, a little bigger, a little stronger. And uh how about this? So he goes one. Janai is the second best player in all college basketball and he’s there at 35 for Philadelphia. I think Philadelphia got a really really good pick in Jani Broom at 35. Oh, I don’t think there’s any question about it. And you know, you mentioned Cooper and LeBron. Eight days separated them, by the way, in regards to how young they were at that time. But let’s get back to Janai. He’s been shooting the lights out here at summer league. How do you how do you see him expanding his range? Well, if he played for a better coach in college, he’d been able to show his game. I mean, I just I tied him up and restricted him and obviously didn’t let him play through his personality. Uh, no. He He’s going to be a stretch five. Yeah. And and I like the pick with Cleveland because excuse me, with Philadelphia because they’ve had a lot of injuries. Yes. Right. And Jana’s physically able to go out there and play, you know, early in his career. So, again, I think it it’s a really good fit for him. And his people said his game doesn’t translate. I actually think it does cuz he can guard one through five and he can stretch the defense cuz he can shoot from the perimeter and he knows he’s a brilliant passer and he can also play alongside another big as you had him really playing more for this year with Dylan Carwell at the five spot and Jana went back and forth but his versatility I believe is something that will make him spectacular at the NBA level. McCory, you had us a bunch, you know, this year. You had us at Old Miss and that was a a terrific ball game. Guys that have done it at the highest level and do it with great great consistency. I think obviously, you know, their games translate. Again, I’m I’m I’m going to get back to Cooper Flag for one second on that. He’s got a very very interesting team that he’s be playing on in Dallas in the sense that he’s going to eventually be a stretch four. That’s going to be his position. But but right now on this Dallas now team, they got a bunch of frontline guys and they may have to have him play him in a little bit of three, which I think is actually going to be a challenge for him. He’s going to be playing against quicker and smaller guys. Believe it or not, Jason Kidd has already said that they’re going to play him at some point guard this year. And he’s been doing a lot of that in this summer league, handling the basketball, only three turnovers in two games. He’s actually done it pretty well, coach. Well, and another one of your guys who’s playing in this game, Miles Kelly, number 14 for Dallas. uh you had him certainly last year and you know Dallas they’ve got Klay Thompson one of the greatest shooters of all time but beyond that there’s they could use another shooter or two so Miles is a guy that they could certainly use at times as well even even as young as he is. Yeah, D’Angelo Russell, Klay Thompson, those guys going to be hard to you know they’ll be starters out there for sure. But I agree with you both the Lewis kid out here and Miles I mean Miles belongs. Miles got an NBA body. He’s long. I mean he if he can see it he can make it. He’s a tough kid and no I agree I think that was he signed he signed a two-way so he’s guaranteed for a little while and I bet you he gets some call ups he going to make some shots here against Miles Kelly let’s watch this match up right there let’s do it Kelly on the sideep short there that’s a win for Janai looked like he got a hand on that basketball and of course we know he was a great shot blocker the leading shot blocker in division one basketball and for that career last year but coach we got so much more to talk about can you hang around with us for a a little while long. Come on. Well, absolutely. We’ll get back to it when we come back from break. Bruce Pearl continues with us here from Vegas. I know what you’re thinking. Total glow up. What’s our secret? Fine, I’ll spill. I totally upgraded. With Verizon, everyone gets a free phone with any plan, even if you’re already a customer like me. Now, I have Google Gemini. It’s like a little glam squad in my pocket. Gemini, what eye makeup goes with this lipstick? I’d suggest a classic [Music] [Music] here now. Our Vanessa Richardson coach has a question for you. Vanessa. Hi, coach. How are you? Hey, Vanessa. I haven’t seen you since we was in Houston together. I know. I Well, so you know who I have to ask you about, right? one of your Auburn Tigers who I’m fortunate enough to cover on a daily basis, Jabari Smith Jr. got a well-deserved contract extension. I don’t think there’s a better person in the NBA for him to learn from than Kevin Durant. What do you think he can pick up from KD? Well, that’s a great question. Now, if if I start comparing KD like to Jani Broom to uh you know, Jabari Smith, Cory’s going to give me a really hard time. You cannot make comparisons between today’s players and yesterday’s. with Cory here. I saw Seth Green. That was a big mistake. It was a huge mistake. A big mistake. Um, listen, Jabari Smith made more threes and shot a better percentage than any player 610 or bigger in NCAA tournament history, including Kevin Durant. He’s a three guy. He’s a three and D guy. Well, obviously that’s Kevin and then some. So, I agree with you, Vanessa. I think learning from from a pro like that and their games kind of complement each other. Their bodies, I think, are s their bodies are similar, Cory. just their bodies. Cory’s looking at me with his eyes like right now. I cannot believe we’re having a conversation about Jabari Smith and Kevin Durant. But you know the rules. I know the rules. I’m I’m breaking them all right now. No, you didn’t break them. You You didn’t compare them. You’re just talking about their similarity, right? That’s good. There you go. And and that Kevin could help him along for sure. I I don’t think there’s any question. And you know, look, Houston’s making real moves. They’re they’re going to be a factor out west. Look at Look at Miles. Kevin, there’s your guy. Miles can see it now. He He can He can make it. I mean, he’s he going to make this club. And by the way, I He’s not just a shooter. He can put it on the floor, too. He can. He’s long defensively and any hands right there. Yeah. Let’s see what he has in transition. That’s a foul. Gets the basket there. Miles Kelly. BP, let me ask you this. So, so many coaches have shied away from this new age in college basketball that we have with the portal in NIL. You’ve embraced it and more intimidated. Oh, wa Armstrong having a day punches that one. But you’ve embraced it and use it to your benefit. How does that help your players once they get to this level? Well, Cory, I want my guys um I don’t want them working at Subway. I want them owning three of them, right? And and and I think it’s a I think it’s a really good thing. We were slow. We were we were arrogant and and we were late to compensate these student athletes. Okay. And obviously the pendulum’s swung way way over right now. Um I do think the one thing that the NIL does, it allows our guys to stay in college a little bit longer until they’re ready. We’re giving the NBA a way better product right now because there aren’t as many young kids that are going. How many kids did not go in the draft? Oh, that would have normally gone in the draft. And as Roselle, we have a better product and the NBA’s got a better Well, I’ll give you the numbers. The high was in 2021 you had nearly 360 kids enter into the draft and this past year it was about 120. Wow. George, did I just tee you up? No. I mean, did I just I was ready, coach. I mean, listen, you’ve done this broadcast before. You know what you’re doing. You know what you’re doing with this microphone. Hey, I’m at Old Miss and Cory’s on my game and literally I mean you I’m in your lap. Well, yeah. We’re right there side by side. I’m side by side. I’m learning all your plays. I can run a couple of a couple of plays. But again, even in that game and I had opportunity to have you guys in two games in Maui as well. I saw early what the rest of the world was late to see. You had a group of guys that truly came together and I love the way that you went. It was D2 guys. It wasn’t the low major guys. It wasn’t necessarily guys who were five stars out of high school. You did this with guys who really weren’t heavily recruited coming out hungry. humble, faith, family. That’s what our our culture is. Uh and and the older guys are going to win at every level. I think even one of the things right now with the turnover in the NBA rosters and things like that, it’s hard for coaches develop chemistry and develop culture. Teams that have been together for a while, the teams that are going to win, core, you saw that in Maui and then and then obviously carried on. I think the other thing too is defense and rebounding. They win championships. The teams that’ll guard night in and night out are the teams that are going to, you know, survive a long schedule. Oh, here’s a good match up right here. He’s your guy. Move the ball tonight. They got fouled there. Foul to give. Yeah, foul to give. And you talk about your defense, of course, your uh your defensive coach, you told me after I believe you guys you went down to the wire with Iowa State, the first ever top five matchup in the history of the Maui Invitational. And you said you coached the first half, but somebody else coached the second half. Someone near dear to your heart. Steven Perma. So, give me something tonight. Take it. Oh, that’s nice. Use your left hand. They got it. Uh, so Iowa State was one of the best teams we played against all year long. Unbelievable defensively, real really physical basketball team. And they had we were down 18 at halftime. I coached the first game. At halftime, I said, I give it. I’m I’m done. I’m done. Stephen, you got it. And we came back and and beat him. What was that? We’ve been in overtime. Yes. Overtime game. Coach, we got to run. Always a pleasure. Let’s do it again. We can’t wait to see you again. There he is. The great Bruce Pearl. Fourth quarter. [Music] [Music] six summer league. Happy to be joined courtside by Mark Armstrong who has 22 points so far. What’s been working for you tonight? Uh just playing hard. You know, uh the coaches believed in me before the game. Couple guys sat out. So just coming out and just playing hard and playing my game. This has been a back and forth game for sure. What do you need to see from your guys in the fourth quarter to finish it out? Just the same intensity that we’ve been playing with. Uh execute down the stretch and stay together. Thanks for your time. I got it. Thank you guys. All right. Thank you, Vanessa. A 9-0 run here for Philly going back to the third quarter, but Armstrong Cory, I mean, 22 points as Vanessa mentioned. Eight of 13 from the field. Four of six from downtown. And he’s packed two dunks, too. Yes, he has. And one of them a highlight going down the middle of the lane. I don’t even know if anyone was expecting it. The smallest guy on the floor to go way up top. Nice time by two defense. Aluma with the good save. 15 seconds on the shot clock. Mintz surveying on the screen. Oh, open for the side step three and nothing but net for Judah Mintz. You know, one of the things that we haven’t talked about Maxwell Lewis who had 15 first half points hasn’t scored here in this second half. So, give Philly’s defense a lot of credit for slowing down the hot hand for the Mavs. Mint with 14. Turnover. Mint shovels it to Aluma. Aluma with the champ. Great hands by Judah Mintz intercepting the kick out and then throwing it ahead allowing Judah Mintz to stay in stride and pick up the dunk to increase the lead to eight. Mintz with 14 points as I mentioned and four assists and trying to get another steal over there and it’s going the other way. He does and gets fouled. Judah Mintz is one was one of the ACC steel leaders during his two years at Syracuse. But this is a reason why he was one of my when you mentioned the dogs, it was absolutely I had to make sure I got Judah Mintz on that list. He gets after defensively and that’s one of the things that coaching staff talked to us about prior to the game. Now you still owe me a big man. So give me give me give me the four again. All right. And the and the six man I I g I gave you actually I think I gave you five. Okay. Right. Well, he we’ll call Judah the uh the sixth man cuz you missed the big man. All right. Jamal shed. Right. All right. Of course, VJ has them. Cooper flag, Nick Clifford, right? Judah Mintz. Judah Mint. And who’s your big man? I don’t have one yet. Broom. I mean, Jana Broom, of course, is a very skilled big. I’m not going to call him a dog, but you got to understand the lens that I’m okay. I played against Antonio Davis. I played against Charles Oakley, Dale Davis. I mean, you want to talk about dogs. And again, the game today where the bigger players are really more skilled, you know, from a standpoint of that’s their impact on the game. They’re more skilled guys than they are brutes and guys who really like to mix it up and be physical. So, there aren’t as many in the game today. And I’m just saying that so I can stall and try to think of someone. Lewis with a show and go. Goes up, gets fouled. Nope. They’re going to say travel. Vina and Oochili Kllin checks in for Dallas. Here’s Mark Armstrong leading all scorers. Gets into the paint. Gets blocked by an Chile Kllin. Still an eight-point game. Hall has been doing it all for Dallas and turns it over here. Doing a little too much on that one. Well, really found the spot between two of his teammates and neither of them truly making a effort to get to that basketball. You normally hold your spot so that your teammate knows where to find you. Threw it to that spot right in between the break and the corner. Armstrong finds Broom on the roll. Broom, I’m shocked Broom got away with that one. The foul, the travel called on the previous possession. Broom never put that one down. Got away with a couple steps. It ain’t traveling unless they call him. This is a fact. Hall puts it on the deck. Left hand rolls off. Mintz recovers. Armstrong finds Aluma but killing gets called for the foul. He can’t believe it. I respect the effort though. Aluma was wide open. Yeah. Anatelli Killan not concerned about getting dunked on. Is going to continue to contest. Goes up. I believe the foul was really with that left hand on the body because up top it was clean. Aluma maybe a little casual you thought going up? Uh I didn’t think he he probably didn’t expect to be contested at the rim. [Music] Summer league action continues tomorrow on NBA TV. ESPN and the ESPN app on NBA TV tomorrow. You got Pistons Heat at 4, Hawks and Grizzlies at 6, Rockets and the Blazers at 8. Golden State and Toronto round out the night at 10 Eastern. BJ in deep thoughts thinking about what’s next for him the next time he steps on the court. Most likely won’t be until the regular season or preeason in the NBA. Largest lead of the game here. 12 points. Yeah, he’ll be uh out there with Paul George probably. Joel Embiid, a young fell nephew Tyrese. I tell you who else. Quinton Grimes. Oh, Quinn Grimes. Grimes really had finished the season extremely well for the Sixers. Miles Kelly lighting it up here. 21 points for him. His fifth three. Armstrong to the corner. Aluma open. Aluma buries that one. And the great play by Armstrong. Baseline drive. Baseline drift delivering a strike to Kev Aluma was able to knock down the three ball. Aluma with seven in the four. Maxwell turn around. Gets the hoop and the harm. Smart play by Lewis to get to a spot using his size against a smaller Mark Armstrong and able to finish over the top with all the shooting that the Mavericks have. No one wants to help. So they allow Lewis to play one-on-one against Armstrong right in the middle of the paint. Lewis able to win that battle. Opportunity for and one at the strike. Maxwell Lewis with 17. His first free throw attempts of the game. 10-point ball game. Trying to cut into that three-point play. The oldfashioned way. Short and Luma active on the boards. Jai Broom in the mid post. Swings it across. One more to Armstrong. He fires. can’t get the roll. Ross comes up with it. Lewis pulls the trigger wide to the mark and a chilly killing with the offensive rebound. They swing it. Lewis left hand. Beautiful move there. 19 for Lewis. Nice take by Lewis there. Didn’t make that extra pass to the corner. Decided to attack the basket. And Jana Broom is very confident with the three in this game, not hesitating. It’s one of the things that coach Alleo asked is to make sure that when he was open to shoot the basketball, there’s a difference in an open shot at the NBA level in comparison to college. Kelly air ball. That’s a rare miss for him. And we have a timeout. We’ve got an eight-point ball game. Sixers taking advantage. [Music] The moments that last forever go beyond what we see on the court. You are the finals MVP. These moments start out with the ball, a dream, and a relentless will to win. They’re the culmination of every effort put into the game since they first stepped on the court. All of those moments have led to this one. NBA 2K26. Ball over everything. Rated E for everyone. [Music] league head coach for the first time is an honor for any young coach and it’s extra special for TJ Deio. He actually grew up in Philadelphia. His father Tony held several different roles in the 76ers organization. He played at Temple. TJ did. He said it’s been a great experience. Said something new happens every day at summer league that you really have to learn about and adjust to on the fly. Being from Philadelphia, his entire family came out. He had some friends come out to watch. He said even his high school coach came out and he said he’s gotten a ton of texts and is definitely feeling the hometown love. Guys, thanks Vanessa. Yeah, that’s got to be a blast, man. You get this opportunity, hometown kid and uh everyone’s supporting you, Cory. Yeah, and you’re coaching pros. Let’s not forget that an opportunity to coach a guy like BJ Edgecom in his professional debut. and also to be able to see a guy like Jana Bloom get his NBA career started and then Justin Edwards who has truly improved and could be a vital part of the Sixers rotation this season being able to mentor him as well. 60 run here for the Mavs. Six-point ball game. Mint finds Salace trying to turn the corner got stuck. They swing it out. 4 seconds on the shot clock. Aluma with the grenade and nails the three-pointer. And Williams not recognizing as the shot goes down, there’s not much Aluma can do at that point other than shoot it. That’s one you want to take away his airspace. Crowd him and don’t let him get easy. Lewis finishes on the other end. Aluma, by the way, 15 points, 10 of those in the fourth. So Maxwell Lewis now with 23. Yeah. And how about Jordan Hall with his ninth dime of the game with the left hand. Almost a bowling ball pass. Corner three there. Short. Here’s Hall. hits the gas. Ball comes off. It’ll stay Dallas ball as the officials were looking around at each other to make sure somebody had the proper angle. So, seven-point ball game. A little more than four minutes to go. All will inbound, but we got a timeout. Dallas is going to take a timeout to talk things over here. So, seven-point ball game. Do the Mavs have one more push in them? NBA 2K26 is proud. [Music] [Music] The ball was last touched by Jordan Hall. Philadelphia will regain possession on the baseline. Philadelphia will lose their timeout. However, they will have the ability to challenge. All right, so there you have it. We went to break not knowing that they were challenging because the green light was not on when we went to break. But you see there the ball off of Jordan Hall’s knee. But during break I also did think of a dog. Oh, okay. Is it big? Who? A Dona. Oh, there you go. You got it. It took took me a while to think of it, but he’s not playing. He’s not playing in there. That’s That’s what threw me off. He’s not playing in this game. Jai Broom is though. And he gets that nifty finish on the baseline. Nine-point game. room by the way with 20 in this one and 11 boards. Hall turnaround jumper short rebound cross fighting his way to the corner Lewis short cross with the tip no good and a chilly killan from the elbow. and give Matt Cross a lot of credit too for one offensive rebound and also the tip to get the basketball back to Chile Kllin for that bucket. But Matt Cross continuing to make the effort on the offensive glass. Mavs still in the striking distance. Seven-point game. Ny Broom directing traffic and he decides to take it on his own. Nope, he’ll pass it up. Armstrong straight away for three. Short rebound. Kelly Lewis to the corner to cross. Cross fires. No good. Rebound Broom. I like the idea by Lewis recognizing the effort by Matt Cross on the last possession getting him an opportunity from three. Just unable to get it to go. Luma loss it over to Broom in the mid post. They swing it. One more baseline drive by Salace. They kick it. Mintz pump fake step back three too strong put back is good by Aluma he’s got 1712 here in the second half the Sixers did a great job on that possession everyone touched it but more importantly they put the Mavs in rotation not allowing them to be able to get a body on Kev Aluma who gets the easy put back and allows the Sixers to push the lead to nine Sure. Yeah. Yeah. Come on. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Friday night at Gambridge Fieldhouse in Indiana with the three-point contest and skills challenge at 8 Eastern on ESPN. Saturday night, the All-Star game is on ABC at 8:30 Eastern, featuring team Caitlyn Clark and team Nisa Kier. Clark dealing with a groin injury at the moment. Left the game late in the win, I believe last night, but the win was secure. Left with 39 seconds remaining in the game. I still anticipate her being in the three-point contest and playing in the All-Star game, especially with it being in her new hometown of India. Maxwell Lewis throws one up off the glass. Too strong. By the way, Aluma has 12 points in the fourth quarter. I don’t want to short change him. I said in the second half he’s got 15 in the second, 17 overall. Here’s Jai Broom. Two minutes to go. Got a nine-point ball game. Broom left hand. Sweeping left hand is good. An 11-point lead and the Sixers looking to close this thing out. Lewis takes a hit there from Aluma. You know, we don’t have the stars in this game, but we’ve had a number of guys truly step up and play very well throughout this one on both sides and guys who really help their chances, whether that’s getting an exhibit 10 offer or maybe a two-way for their respective teams or others. A long two there for Hall. Hall one of those guys. 17 points, nine assists, four rebounds. He fills up the box for man. He does it. He does it in the G- League, too. Latin. Good defense there. Double comes. Broom swings it. Armstrong had a great first half. Broom has had a big second half for them. Broom fights through. No good. Rebound Hall. 115 to go. Nine-point ball game. Still not over. All underneath and Anachilli Kllin gets fouled. Slawson picks up the foul there. They’re going to shoot free throws. Now, where are you on the And I only asked this because I want Jordan Hall to have a double double. Where are you on the When you make a pass as such and the player gets fouled, if they make both free throws, they should get an assist. I don’t like it. Really? No, I don’t. I think I don’t like it. They missed one anyway. Yeah, but I I’m not a fan of it. Yeah, but so many people ask that question. Why not? I’m curious. My only reason for not liking it is because it would affect so many guys who were the best in the game. Our guy Dave Freed, our statistician, literally threw his hands up, shrugged his shoulders. Why change the rules now? Exact. Well, that’s really the biggest concern. I mean, how how many more assists does John Stockton have? Magic Johnson have. It just sounds like you guys are being kudos. That’s all. I mean, yeah, we I’ve been called that before. Dave Free, absolutely much more so than me. Yeah, no question about that. A minute to go here. Eight-point ball game. Billy trying to close it out. Good defense here. Nice. Falls on the ground. Still going. Oh, Lawson’s lap. Time out. Billy. Maxwell Lewis couldn’t grab it. Yeah, but Maxwell Lewis tried to pick it up instead of going to the floor where Kev Aluma and Jaylen Slawson were able to get down on the floor. So, we’re going to break. There’ll be 4.7 seconds on the shot clock when we return. Can’t pick it up. You got to get on the floor. George [Music] who plays who, especially when you talk about the teams from three through eight, who will be able to knock the other team out of contention. But love this part of summer league because you’re able to truly see who’s here to win it and who’s just here to see their guys get minutes and the point differential is the tiebreaker there. So we got 4.7 on the shot clock here. Broom hoist one misses everything. 45 seconds still an eight-point ball game. Good defense by Slawson. Sharp. 10 seconds on the shot clock. Lewis. They’re going to have to shoot this at some point. They’re running out of time. Jaylen Williams on the fadeaway. No good. Rebound Groom and that pretty much will do it and they’ll have a foul to give there. Just under 20 seconds to go. So Slawson will inbound right in front of us. He’ll get the ball. Cameron Gerber, the official. Actually, no. Aluma will inbound. [Music] Broom playing keep away. Double comes in the wrong place though. Yep. Turns it over. That’s not where you want to be. Well, I I believe he was expecting for the Mavs to foul on that possession, but did a great job defensively, but still killed a lot of time. Doesn’t give them many opportunities to come back. Nice play by Slawson to block the three. And here it is to finish. Tunz wanted to do some and one right there it looked like with Slawson, but I like the fact that Slawson recognized no need to run it up at that point. Doesn’t even try to dunk it. Brings it down. But the point differential, if they were in the mix, right, it would matter. Yeah.

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