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This article was originally published on BasketballNews on July 20, 2022.
Impact Basketball's facility sits inside an unassuming section of an unassuming plaza on Dean Martin Drive in Las Vegas.
The gym contains two light-colored hardwood basketball courts with a small scoreboard, a weightlifting area, a makeshift stretching room, a kitchenette for meals and snacks and a small office. It's no place for vanities. The only flexes are the dozens of white banners hanging on the right wall, listing names upon names of distinguished players who have come through during the gym's 25 years of existence.
Among those players: Kevin Garnett, Kawhi Leonard, Chauncey Billups, Kyle Lowry, Kelsey Plum, Tayshaun Prince, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Haliburton, DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall, Al Harrington, Kristaps Porzingis, Nassir Little, Saddiq Bey and Ziaire Williams.&nbsp;
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Kevin Garnett stopped by <a href="https://twitter.com/impactbball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@impactbball</a> and offered some advice to Blazers guard Keon Johnson, Mavericks wing Josh Green and 16-year-old prospect Dayan Nessah.<a href="https://twitter.com/Joe_Abunassar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Joe_Abunassar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinGarnett5KG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KevinGarnett5KG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/iamkeonjohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@iamkeonjohnson</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshBGreen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoshBGreen</a> <a href="https://t.co/fwRjAM2WHJ">pic.twitter.com/fwRjAM2WHJ</a>
&mdash; Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/1548046089877524482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Impact Basketball, founded by trainer Joe Abunassar in 1997, has a reputation for its star-studded, closed-door pickup games that take place during the NBA offseason. In the spring, it's also where some of the top NBA Draft hopefuls join Abunassar's pre-draft "boot camp" and commit themselves to an intricate world of sports training and nutrition.
The timeline is simple: arrive by April, revamp your training lifestyle and find your professional pathway &mdash; either via the NBA Draft, an undrafted free-agent deal or another contract &mdash; afterwards. The work is not flashy, isn't always fun and, if you want to stick as a pro, never ends.
But the results can change lives.
"It's not about W's or L's, it's about M's &mdash; M's being millions of dollars," said Isaac Mourier, Impact's Director of Performance Nutrition and Sport Science. "Once you say that to a guy like that, that's all they need in terms of motivation."
Mourier is a key cog in Impact's program. He's from the United Kingdom and played professional basketball in England and Germany before starting his own sports nutrition consulting business. Mourier has worked for the University of Georgia and Sacramento Kings as a nutritionist and consultant, and joined Impact in 2020 during the spring.
During his two-and-a-half years and three draft cycles with the company, Mourier has filled his laptop with infographics and progress charts for Impact athletes. They include individualized goals for each player; an example involves raising one prospect's weight by 20 pounds, lowering his body fat by 2%, increasing his bench press weight by 50 pounds and adding two inches to his vertical.
Mourier feels privileged to work with athletes at this stage of their careers. To him, the noise of team ecosystems and outside expectations all fade away. He can clearly define goals, and players know exactly what success will look like.
"This is the first time, maybe ever in their life, where they have a team of people that are only worried about them," he said. "Now, I'm just trying to get you to the NBA and keep you there. I don't care whether you win or lose games right now. This is you. All the focus is on you."
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Boot camp begins as soon as players are done with their respective prior seasons. They arrive at Impact and take part in comprehensive body testing to establish a full physical profile. The technology includes a bioelectrical impedence analysis that uses electrical currents to scan body composition. Sweat patches can read how much sodium athletes need in their system.
Variables such as blood work, stress hormone levels, nutrient deficienies, pre-workout hydration levels and post-workout hydration levels, body composition and body fat percentages all help establish a baseline of strengths and needs.
From there, each prospect receives an individualized growth roadmap. Skill development makes up one component. Players often train together in small groups, but they receive specific plans that prepare them for team pre-draft workouts and the NBA level.
"We're looking and analyzing and making assessments on the court; if guys are getting bumped off their cuts, if guys don't have enough lower-body power in their jump shot and guys seem like they need to get stronger, if guys aren't fast enough, [we'll consider], 'Okay, what do we need to do in the weight room or from a nutrition standpoint to correct that?'" Abunassar told Basketball News. "So, that's why every guy has his own program, because every guy has different goals."
Hydration and dieting are also central pieces. Mourier oversees the implementation of dietary plans through Impact's local chef connections, and says he outlines each meal, snack and supplement. Along the way are regular check-ins on body metrics, sleep schedules, mood and motivation among other factors. Mourier estimated that about 20-to-25 Impact staffers are involved with a player's development.&nbsp;
But Mourier repeatedly emphasized that the technology, food and workouts aren't what takes players to the Association. One of his most important jobs is reframing their habits and instilling discipline toward health.
"When an athlete gets to the elite level with bad habits, it's, 'Well, I'm already one of the best in the world at what I do, so why would I change?' So it's changing that mindset, and then when we've done that, it's about understanding that doing small things consistently is what gets us the results, as opposed to trying to do extreme things," Mourier said.
"The way that the structure of basketball [is] from AAU to college to the pros, a lot of the power is in the athlete's hands, where it's almost like, 'Who are you to tell me what to do?' So I think one of the main things that we have to do is cut through that barrier. And again, when our goals are the same as theirs, it becomes a little bit easier. But again, it's, 'Well, you've gotten to this level despite your bad habits. How good could you be if we instill some good habits?'"
Good habits, however, can be inconvenient and awkward. For NBA players to maintain their places in the league, they have to stick with those routines well past a pre-draft boot camp.
Dallas Mavericks wing Josh Green joined Impact's program ahead of the 2020 NBA Draft cycle. He's still entrenched with Impact today, and has been working out in Las Vegas this offseason. Part of his nutrition plan includes avoiding butter, which can be a particular hurdle when eating out at restaurants.
"I have to be the guy who requests light virgin oil, whatever it is," Green told Basketball News. "I think that's the hardest part about it. I'm about to go to Australia for three weeks, and all I'm gonna want to do is eat all the food, but I'm gonna have to stay disciplined. I want to have a big year, so my goal is focusing right now, but just taking it one day at a time."
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👀 <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshBGreen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoshBGreen</a> <a href="https://t.co/pX0fkZzCBZ">pic.twitter.com/pX0fkZzCBZ</a>
&mdash; Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/1547655829431525383?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Green said he started prioritizing nutrition after his second shoulder surgery in April 2019. Since joining Impact, Green has been floored by how much nourishment the human body loses during workouts. He has an app that lays out meal calories and hydration plans, and his goal this offseason is to skip carbohydrates, even from snacks like a simple bag of chips.
"When you're young, whatever you see in front of you is what you want," Green said. "I [was] able to start here early and realize, if I want to play ball for a while, it's important to put the right things in my body and stay healthy. It's the same thing as seeing your physical therapist and getting treatment, if not more important for your body."
Abunassar has a plethora of stories about players who embraced the importance of nutrition at the pro level. Garnett has talked about taping his meal-plan menus on the cabinets of his Minnesota home.&nbsp; Lowry, Haliburton and Serge Ibaka are examples of guys who transformed their bodies under Impact's guidance too.
Gym time and workouts are obviously valuable, but to Abunassar, nutrition is what sparks physical development.
"The nutrition is really the basis of body change &mdash; for anybody, not even just for a basketball player," Abunassar said. "You can go to the gym every day, but if you're eating cheeseburgers and fries, you're just not going to lose weight."
Mourier has his own trail of success stories. He's worked with dozens of players, including Haliburton and Green. Zeke Nnaji, another 2020 draftee, was an especially interesting case as the only plant-based-dieting prospect Mourier has guided at Impact.
Mourier does not advise athletes to follow a plant-based diet solely for performance. However, Nnaji had chosen to be a vegan for ethical reasons, which Mourier respected, and the two worked together to create a nutrition plan despite the constraints. One of Nnaji's pre-draft goals was to add muscle, and he succeeded with rigorous attention to detail.
"He gained 20 pounds and everyone was like, 'Who the hell is this?'" Mourier said. "So that was really good, just being tactful with the timing and quantities of that stuff. And [Nnaji] was really diligent with it. He nailed every single aspect of it down to the gram... He was a really easy one. I really can't take credit for all that stuff. I just put the blueprint down and he just rolled with it."
This year, Impact has worked with several 2022 draft prospects, including MarJon Beauchamp, Blake Wesley and Michael Foster Jr. among others.&nbsp;
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San Antonio Spurs rookie Blake Wesley (<a href="https://twitter.com/blakewesley0?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@blakewesley0</a>) working out at <a href="https://twitter.com/impactbball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@impactbball</a>: <a href="https://t.co/9lfkFikWsP">pic.twitter.com/9lfkFikWsP</a>
&mdash; Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/1547643918904217604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Wesley has been an Impact athlete since he was 17, meeting Abunassar for the first time as a junior in high school. Wesley would come in occasionally for workouts, staying on the far court and watching as NBA players like Leonard and Paul George would get their reps in. He returned in offseasons and locked in for his own pre-draft boot camp.
Mourier praised the Spurs rookie for his attention to detail regarding nutrition. Wesley frequently FaceTimed Mourier while at restaurants and stores, and asked questions about what he should eat. He's also a staunch advocate of Herbalife's CR7 Drive sports drink mix, and even has an endorsement deal with Herbalife.
As part of his pre-draft plan to put on weight, Welsey would cook three eggs, plus have oatmeal, milk and orange juice for breakfast.
"[Changing my nutrition] helped my body a lot," Wesley told Basketball News over the phone. "I kept doing this, so I kept getting better on the court and did everything good on the court. So yeah, my nutrition helped me a lot."
The result: Wesley turned himself from a relatively unheralded four-star recruit into Notre Dame's first one-and-done player &mdash; then bulked up to 190 pounds in the spring and became a first-round NBA draft pick.
"I met [Wesley] a year ago, before he went to Notre Dame, and his transformation from then to the start of the pre-draft [process] to now &mdash; it's phenomenal," Mourier said.
The next challenge is to maintain discipline once that contract gets signed.&nbsp;
"You gotta stay focused; the NBA is totally different from college," Wesley said. "I mean, you're getting paid, you got a high profile [and] a lot of people are watching you &mdash; &nbsp;watching how you move, who you hang out with, stuff like that. So it's a whole different lifestyle."
Abunassar, Mourier and the Impact staff are hands-on with their players during the offseason and pre-draft process. But what happens when those players head back to their respective NBA franchises?
"For the most part, from a strength-and-conditioning standpoint [and] from a player development standpoint, the NBA teams have stuff really dialed in," Mourier said. "From a nutrition standpoint, for the most part, they do not."
Mourier estimated that there are only six full-time nutritionists and dietitians in the entire NBA. The Collegiate and Professional Sports Dietitians Association (CPSDA) lists <a href="https://sportsrd.org/career-development/full-time-sports-rds-working-with-usas-top-institutions/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nine full-time registered dietitians.</a> Mourier said that teams often have physicians and trainers covering several responsibilites, including nutrition, due to budget restrictions and front-office priorities. This means some athletes, specifically reserve players, receive less health guidance.
"We're kind of the ones who are the last for the front office to see the value in it, so a lot of times we're really just a check-box," Mourier said. "So especially for those lower-order guys that are maybe No. 7, 8, 9, 10, all the way through to 15 on the roster, they're not really receiving any support at all. They're receiving provision. They're receiving meals and supplements. But in terms of education and behavior change, they're really not receiving it."
Over the last 25 years, Abunassar has seen sports nutrition dramatically change, with data and technology more interwoven into practice than ever. He thinks there are positives and pitfalls to the advancements.
"From a nutrition standpoint and strength-and-conditioning standpoint, it's clearly useful information to help prevent injury, to increase lean body mass, etc.," he said. "All of the technology that has come out has been very helpful for us, but you do have to watch that you don't get too reliant on it. Sometimes, you gotta watch the games and see how guys move and that kind of thing. But a combination of the two is very effective."
Impact Basketball is one progressive frontrunner in the field of sports science, but Mourier emphasized that, at this point, all basketball pros should be setting themselves up for success with some sort of offseason developmental map. Pre-draft prospects especially cannot afford to lose that critical period before team workouts to maximize their appeal.
"It's like doing the SAT without looking at the study guide," Mourier said "...I think it's definitely a standard. There's people doing this all over the country, really. Nobody does it like us, and nobody's been doing it for as long as us, but people are seeing the value."

A behind-the-scenes look at how Impact Basketball helps players realize their full potential by focusing on their training and nutrition.

How sports nutrition and biometrics are evolving NBA training

Blake Stern previews the NBA's Central Division, breaking down each team's projected lineup and burning question entering the year.

NBA Central Division Preview: Burning questions, rotation projections

The NBA announced the All-Rookie teams on Monday afternoon.
The All-Rookie First Team consists of Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray and Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin.
Banchero, who won the 2022-23 Rookie of the Year award, was the lone unanimous First-Team selection.
The All-Rookie Second Team features Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason, Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey, Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. and San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan.
The following players also received votes: Andrew Nembhard (Pacers), Shaedon Sharpe (Blazers), AJ Griffin (Hawks), Christian Braun (Nuggets), Jaylin Willams (Thunder), Jaden Hardy (Mavericks), Malaki Branham (Spurs), Dyson Daniels (Pelicans), Mark Williams (Hornets) and MarJon Beauchamp (Bucks).
Here are the complete results:
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On Tuesday, the NBA will announce the All-Defensive Teams. On Wednesday, the league will announce the All-NBA Teams. And on Thursday, they'll announce the Teammate of the Year award.

The NBA announced the All-Rookie teams on Monday afternoon.

Paolo Banchero, Jalen Williams headline NBA All-Rookie Teams

LOS ANGELES (AP) &mdash; Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 35 points and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Los Angeles Clippers 119-106 on Friday night for their first 10-game winning streak since 2019-20.
Brook Lopez had 22 points and 15 rebounds, and Jrue Holiday added 19 points for the Bucks, who have won 12 of 13. They completed a back-to-back sweep in LA, having beaten the Lakers a night earlier.
Paul George led the six Clippers in double figures with 19 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. They were without Kawhi Leonard, who sat out due to injury management.
Antetokounmpo had 38 points and 10 rebounds against the Lakers. He picked up where he left off, scoring the Bucks&rsquo; first eight points as they raced to a 14-2 lead to open the game.
The Greek Freak came in averaging 37.6 points, 14 rebounds and 5.4 assists while shooting 61% from the floor during the Bucks&rsquo; winning streak. He was the leading vote-getter in the Eastern Conference for the All-Star Game on Feb. 19. He&rsquo;ll be making his seventh straight start and was voted a captain for the third time.
The Clippers rallied before losing 106-105 at Milwaukee last week. They did it again in the third when neither team led by more than five for much of the period. Antetokounmpo eventually took over, stretching Milwaukee&rsquo;s lead to 76-68 with three straight baskets and he assisted on a basket by MarJon Beauchamp.
The Bucks dominated the fourth, extending their lead from five points to double-digits.
Antetokounmpo scored seven of the Bucks&rsquo; first 10 points in the second. When he went to the bench, Lopez scored 14 points to send the Bucks into halftime leading 54-51.
TIP-INS
Bucks: Jae Crowder, newly acquired from Phoenix, will join the team in Milwaukee this weekend. ... Lopez, who is 34, became the oldest player in the NBA to make 100 3-pointers and have 100 blocked shots in a season. ... The Bucks earned their first season sweep of the Clippers since 2019-20 and just their third since 2000-01. ... Khris Middleton (injury management) sat out after scoring 22 points against the Lakers. ... Bobby Portis (right knee MCL sprain) missed his ninth straight game.
Clippers: George hit a 3-pointer in the third that gave him 16,000 career points. ... Leonard missed his 20th game of the season while resting his right knee. The team fell to 9-11 when he&rsquo;s out because of his knee.
UP NEXT
Bucks: Host Boston on Tuesday.
Clippers: Host Golden State on Tuesday.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 35 points and the Bucks beat the Clippers 119-106 on Friday night for their 10th-straight win.

Antetokounmpo, Bucks beat Clippers 119-106 for 10th straight win

MILWAUKEE (AP) &mdash; Giannis Antetokounmpo&rsquo;s ability to keep getting to the free-throw line assured the Milwaukee Bucks would outlast the short-handed Denver Nuggets.
Antetokounmpo had 33 points and 14 rebounds Wednesday night as the Bucks won 107-99 over the Nuggets, who were playing without two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and three other usual starters.
Antetokounmpo went 15 of 22 from the line and was two off his career high in free-throw attempts. All but one of those free-throw tries came in the second half.
&ldquo;Just tried to get to the rim, tried to be aggressive as much as I can, get downhill, play within my strength,&rdquo; Antetokounmpo said. &ldquo;I tried to enjoy the game. I feel I sometimes get too locked in. I think I&rsquo;ve got to enjoy the game more. Usually when I enjoy the game more, I get to the free-throw line more, I get downhill more, I&rsquo;m able to find my teammates more and just make better plays.&rdquo;
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Jokic had returned after missing two games and recorded his fourth straight triple-double Tuesday in a&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-pelicans-denver-nuggets-sports-basketball-automotive-accidents-0df908c45fd083bbdfaa1042db53cbcf">99-98 victory at New Orleans.</a>&nbsp;He rested the hamstring Wednesday rather than playing on back-to-back nights.
His absence spoiled a potential matchup between the winners of the four last MVPs. Antetokoumpo won the award in 2019 and 2020.
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The Western Conference-leading Nuggets also were missing Jamal Murray (left knee/injury management), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (sprained right wrist) and Michael Porter Jr. (personal reasons). Porter missed a third straight game.
&ldquo;We didn&rsquo;t get the outcome that we wanted, but I saw a lot of great things from our group tonight that will help us moving forward,&rdquo; Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.
Jrue Holiday had 20 points for the Bucks, who won despite committing 22 turnovers. Pat Connaughton scored a season-high 19 points, matched a career high with 12 rebounds and shot 7 of 8 overall and 5 of 6 on 3-point attempts.
Aaron Gordon had 26 points and 13 rebounds for the Nuggets. Bones Hyland added 15 points.
While the Nuggets were missing most of their top players, the Bucks also weren&rsquo;t at full strength.
Milwaukee&rsquo;s Bobby Portis missed a game for the first time this season after&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/milwaukee-bucks-denver-nuggets-nba-sports-detroit-pistons-375e484b5bd6b2dbe68685b9a47cbcd1">spraining his right medial collateral ligament and right wrist</a>&nbsp;Monday in a&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/milwaukee-bucks-nba-sports-detroit-pistons-jalen-duren-8313522e4425d0002caffd8d92256f62">150-130 triumph at Detroit.</a>&nbsp;The Bucks said Portis will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Bucks rookie MarJon Beauchamp was out due to patella tendinitis in his right knee.
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After trailing by 14 early in the fourth quarter, the Nuggets cut the Bucks&rsquo; lead to 94-89 on Christian Braun&rsquo;s 3-pointer with 5:01 left. The Bucks answered with five straight points and stayed ahead by at least seven the rest of the way, with Antetokounmpo going 9 of 15 from the line in the fourth quarter.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a challenge,&rdquo; Malone said. &ldquo;The guy is great in transition. He&rsquo;s great in the paint. And he&rsquo;s by far the best in the NBA in terms of drawing fouls and living at the free-throw line.&rdquo;
TIP-INS
Nuggets: With injuries leaving the Nuggets at far below full strength, Vlatko Cancar made his first start of the season and third of his career, Braun made his second career start and Zeke Nnaji made his fifth start of the season and seventh of his career.
Bucks: Coach Mike Budenholzer said Portis&rsquo; injury hasn&rsquo;t impacted the status of reserve center Serge Ibaka, who isn&rsquo;t with the team and hasn&rsquo;t played since Jan. 1. The Bucks and Ibaka mutually agreed that the team would try to explore a trade involving the 6-11 veteran. ... Khris Middleton came off the bench for the second straight time as he works his way back gradually from a sore right knee. Middleton, who has played just nine games this season, scored 10 points in 15 minutes.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo had 33 points and 14 rebounds as the Milwaukee Bucks won 107-99 over the Denver Nuggets.

Antetokounmpo helps Bucks beat short-handed Nuggets 107-99

It was mostly fine a month ago.
Through games played on Nov. 27, the Washington Wizards found themselves at .500 (10-10). Back up a week, and a shiny 10-7 record &mdash; including a six-wins-in-seven-games stretch &mdash; would be staring at you. Behind a surprisingly stout defense (sixth in defensive rating <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced?DateTo=11/20/2022&amp;dir=A&amp;sort=DEF_RATING" target="_blank" rel="noopener">through Nov. 20</a>), the Wizards were racking up wins and hoping to put together their first winning season since the 2017-18 campaign (43-39).
It's probably safe to say that won't be happening now.
The defense has fallen off a cliff &mdash; they've posted a 117.8 DRTG (No. 27) since Nov. 21, and rank 24th overall this year &mdash; and the offense has never come together. Having Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis in and out of the lineup certainly hasn't helped matters on either end of the floor.
Because the slide has come so quickly and aggressively, it's fair to expect some moves to be made before February's trade deadline. Per Marc Stein of Substack, the Wizards have already attempted to acquire Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder in exchange for a package headlined by fourth-year forward Rui Hachimura, to which the Suns <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/the-search-for-nba-sellers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly declined</a>.&nbsp;
But if there's anyone to keep an eye on, it's Kyle Kuzma.
He's been the metronome for this Wizards group, averaging a career-high 21.8 points per game on 56.4% True Shooting (also a career-high) while playing in all but one game this season. It's been a remarkable sequel to last season's campaign (17.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists), where he firmly established himself as one of the best young two-way forwards in basketball.
It's also a timely bit of ascension for Kuzma.
He's in the last guaranteed year of the three-year, $40 million extension he signed back in 2020; he has a $13 million player option for next season, but short of an accounting error or attack on the power grid, there's no way he isn't declining it and hitting the market. To that point, <a href="https://theathletic.com/3994995/2022/12/12/kyle-kuzma-wizards-contract/?redirected=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kuzma himself</a> has stated his intention to opt out for a new deal.
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On Monday, <a href="On%20Monday,%20Marc%20Stein%20of%20Substack%20reported%20that%20league%20executives%20feel%20that%20Kuzma%20is%20&quot;getable&quot;%20ahead%20of%20the%20dea" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stein reported</a> that league executives feel that Kuzma is "getable" ahead of the trade deadline.
Considering Kuzma's upcoming free agency and apparent (if not obvious) desire to land in a big(ger) market next season, it's hard to argue against moving Kuzma before the deadline approaches. There's always room for a sign-and-trade over the offseason, though I'm not sure the Wizards should be putting themselves against a hard cap. (They absolutely should not.)
With that said, let's take a look at Kuzma's season and who could benefit the most by bringing him in.
WHAT KUZMA BRINGS
The bucket-getting brings Kuzma to the dance, particularly inside the arc. His blend of strength, touch and footwork allows him to generate looks almost whenever he pleases. Watching him toggle between bullying smaller defenders and simply shooting over them inside the free-throw line has been a quiet joy of tapping into Wizards games.
Mid-post and in is where he does a majority of his work. Kuzma has converted 54.5% of his shots between 4-to-10 feet this season, per Second Spectrum. Of the 33 players that have taken at least 100 shots within that range, Kuzma ranks fifth in efficiency &mdash; and only trails Luka Doncic (58.3% FG, third) among non-bigs.
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Kuzma's ability to drive &mdash; the Wizards are generating 1.09 points per possession (PPP) on trips featuring a Kuzma drive this season, one of the best high-volume marks in the NBA &mdash; has continued to open up passing windows for him.
Quietly, he's become a slick interior passer. He's gotten comfortable making laydown or wrap-around passes when drawing a second defender. His willingness to throw lobs &mdash; and the combination of touch and placement he has on them &mdash; is impressive for a guy that doesn't have a true point-forward rep... at least, not yet.
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Off the ball, Kumza can't be completely ignored (more on that later). He's a heady cutter who's able to take advantage of airhead defenders. He's also more than willing to mix things up on the offensive glass, often tracking down his own missed shots in addition to cleaning up his teammates' messes.
Kuzma isn't just a one-trick pony though. He digs his heels in defensively as well. He's comfortable against both forward spots, though better against 4s. He moves well enough to switch onto pure wings in a pinch. And though I'd hesitate to play him as a small-ball 5 for extended stretches, his strength and rebounding prowess at least allows you to think about it &mdash; depending on what the rest of your personnel looks like.
LIMITATIONS
Kuzma has grown as a passer, but he's more reactive than proactive. There isn't a ton of manipulation present. Even with the rise of ball-screen usage as of late &mdash; he's running nearly 11 per 100 possessions since Thanksgiving &mdash; he's taking a shot on just under 60% of those plays, per Second Spectrum. Making a move for him to be your second option is probably too rich.
The real question mark for Kuzma is his outside shot. He's at career-high volume right now (7.5) while only converting 34.3% of his triples. Of those 7.5 attempts a night, 5.7 of them (76%) are of the catch-and-shoot variety; he's <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1628398/shots-dash?Season=2022-23&amp;PerMode=Totals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">only nailed 35.4% of those</a>, below the threshold needed for teams to think twice about helping off of him.
In Kuzma's six-year career, he's eclipsed the 37% mark on catch-and-shoot threes twice &mdash; during his rookie season (37.5% on 4.6 attempts) and during his last year with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020-21 (37.5% on 4.7 attempts). Those happen to be the only seasons he's shot over 36% from three overall.
In short: Kuzma's been a streaky shooter off the catch, and a flat-out poor one &mdash; 26.1% on 402 attempts &mdash; when taking them off the bounce. Considering his poor three-point track record in the postseason thus far (28.3% across 27 games), it's fair for contenders to worry about how defenses will treat him, and how he'll respond.
LANDING SPOTS
If you need a 4 to put his head down and soak up some usage, keep the chains moving within a possession and defend forwards on the other end, Kuzma should be near (or at) the top of your list. The acquiring team likely has to be prepared to pay Kuzma at least $20 million per year on his next deal, which could limit the pool a bit. Still, contenders should be knocking down the Wizards' door with offers.
It's fitting that the Wizards and Suns have already had discussions aroud Crowder; Phoenix should absolutely try their hands at a Kuzma pursuit. Considering Chris Paul's decline as a rim threat and interior scorer, adding Kuzma to the fray could be a necessary boost to their attack. It's worth noting that the Suns, who famously don't care all that much about the draft, control <a href="https://www.prosportstransactions.com/basketball/DraftTrades/Future/Suns.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">all of their picks</a> for the next eight seasons.&nbsp;
The Los Angeles Clippers <a href="https://www.prosportstransactions.com/basketball/DraftTrades/Future/Clippers.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">don't have the pick capital</a> that the Suns do, but they have their <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nba/los-angeles-clippers/cap/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">choice of mid-tier contracts</a> &mdash; Marcus Morris ($16.3M), Luke Kennard ($14.4M), Robert Covington ($12.3M) and Nicolas Batum ($10.8M) all fit &mdash; and intriguing young guys (Amir Coffey, BJ Boston, Jason Preston) to get into the discussion. I would imagine Covington would be the most expendable of the mid-contract veteran group; Covington, a young piece and a way-off future first could likely get a conversation started.
The Milwaukee Bucks have reportedly been lurking around the forward market, notably being linked to Crowder as a potential target. Like the Clippers, they don't have access to first-rounders in the immediate future. My sense is they'd be a little hesitant to move those considering that Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton are both over 30 years old &mdash; and they have some fun contract stuff to sort through with Middleton soon.
Beyond that, it's easy to see the on-court Kuzma fit in Milwaukee. He'd fit their size ethos up front, and his creation abilities could take some pressure off the Giannis-Jrue-Middleton triumvirate. They're also a team that feels a wing/forward defender short; Kuzma would help.
Meeting the vet + young piece + pick(s) threshold would be difficult though; I'm not sure a package of Grayson Allen, one (or both) of MarJon Beauchamp and Jordan Nwora and down-the-line capital would appeal to the Wizards. And considering how much market matters for Kuzma, the long-term fit may not be there.
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
The Cleveland Cavaliers would be a fun landing spot, but they just blew their pick load in the Donovan Mitchell trade. They don't necessarily pass the market test either.
The Miami Heat might be the cleanest landing spot in the East considering on and off-court stuff, but they're:
1) Short on pick ammo to make a comfortable move.
2) Two tiers below the contending class at this point.
Kuzma would absolutely make the Heat better; would he improve them enough&nbsp;to justify cashing in their limited chips instead of going star-hunting again during the summer? I have my doubts.
While we're in the non-contender class: How about a make-me-feel-wanted swap between Kuzma and the Atlanta Hawks' John Collins? The Wizards would have to add more salary &mdash; Hachimura and Anthony Gill would get them there &mdash; but it's a framework I'd consider if I'm Washington. A Collins-Porzingis frontcourt would be an interesting mix; if all else fails, Collins has enough years on his deal to start the trade dance all over again if necessary.

Nekias Duncan breaks down possible landing spots for Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma and analyzes his solid season thus far.

Examining potential trade destinations for Kyle Kuzma

NEW YORK (AP) &mdash; Kevin Durant scored 24 points, and the Nets held Giannis Antetokounmpo scoreless in the fourth quarter to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 118-100 on Friday night, winning their eighth straight to match their longest winning streak since moving to Brooklyn a decade ago.
Nic Claxton made his first nine shots and finished 9 for 10 for a season high-tying 19 points for the Nets, who own the NBA's longest current winning streak and have won 12 of their last 13 games.
&ldquo;We just want to keep it up,&rdquo; Nets guard Kyrie Irving said. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t want to take our foot off the gas pedal.&rdquo;
After scoring 91 points in the first half Wednesday against Golden State, the third-highest total in NBA history, the Nets had to win a different type of game against a Bucks team that came in with an NBA-leading 22-9 record.
Royce O'Neale scored 17 points and Ben Simmons had 12 points, 11 rebounds and eight of Brooklyn's 30 assists.
&ldquo;That shows us a locked-in team right there,&rdquo; Durant said.
Claxton, Brooklyn's 6-foot-11 center, came in as the league's leading shooter at 73.8%.
Antetokounmpo finished with 26 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists, but didn't take a shot in the fourth as neither he nor Durant reached their usual scoring averages that place both in the top six in the league.
Brook Lopez added 23 points, but the Bucks committed 18 turnovers that led to 24 points.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve got to take better care of the ball," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve got to make better decisions. We can&rsquo;t just have possessions without shots. It&rsquo;s on me. I think I&rsquo;ve got to coach them better and we&rsquo;ve got to work to take care of the ball better.&rdquo;
The Nets started 8 of 10 from 3-point range and improved to an NBA-best 9-1 in December. They also won eight in a row in February 2021.
The Nets led 60-47 at halftime, with their 50% shooting nowhere near the 71% they had against Golden State while taking a 40-point lead on Wednesday. But it was an impressive effort against a Bucks team that came in second in the league, holding teams to about 45%.
The Bucks were within 10 nearly midway through the fourth quarter. But Irving, back after a one-game absence, had 14 points in the fourth after scoring four points on 1-of-9 shooting through three quarters and soon it was back over 20 again.
TIP-INS
Bucks: Antetokounmpo appeared to hurt his hand in a fall but Budenholzer said an X-ray came back clean. ... Khris Middleton missed his fourth straight game with right knee soreness. ... Jevon Carter was in the starting lineup for the first time since Saturday. MarJon Beauchamp had filled the spot usually occupied by Middleton in Milwaukee&rsquo;s last two games.
Nets: Joe Harris missed the game with right knee soreness. Coach Jacque Vaughn said Harris would have been the first sub off the bench before reporting pain.
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAY
Other than 2019, the season he missed with injury, Durant isn't scheduled to play on Christmas Day for the first time since 2009. He would like a city rivalry matchup with the Knicks in the future but was aware the uncertainty created by his trade request in the summer made the Nets unattractive when this schedule was put together.
&ldquo;I probably am responsible for us not playing on Christmas with what went on this summer,&rdquo; he said this week. &ldquo;But hey, it is what it is. We play on the 26th, that&rsquo;s close enough.&rdquo;
&nbsp;

Kevin Durant scored 24 points, and the Nets beat the Milwaukee Bucks 118-100 on Friday night for their eighth-straight victory.

Nets beat Bucks, tie longest win streak in Brooklyn at 8

MILWAUKEE (AP) &mdash; Bobby Portis had 22 points and 14 rebounds starting in place of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks also played without Khris Middleton in a 123-97 victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday night.
Antetokounmpo sat out because of soreness in his left knee, the fifth game he has missed this season. Middleton has soreness in his right knee.
Portis scored 15 points in the first quarter and finished with his 17th double-double this season, tying him for third in the NBA in that category.
&ldquo;I put a lot of work in and the game is starting to slow down for me,&rdquo; Portis said. &ldquo;It's fun to see my development and cool to have teammates and coaches that trust me, for sure.&rdquo;
Jrue Holiday added 21 points and eight assists and center Brook Lopez had 18 points and eight rebounds to help the Bucks bounce back from a 41-point loss in Memphis on Thursday night.
&ldquo;We were all disappointed in our effort, virtually everything with the way we played the other night,&rdquo; Lopez said. &ldquo;I think we all felt we were going to come in and show a much better effort.&rdquo;
Rookie MarJon Beauchamp added 18 points in 19 minutes off the bench and Sandro Mamukelashvili had seven assists and eight rebounds in 23 minutes.
&ldquo;Without Giannis playing tonight, I thought he had a huge impact on the game,&rdquo; Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said about Mamukelashvili, who is on a two-way contract and played in the G-League on Friday night. &ldquo;Just his effort on the offensive glass, the ground he was covering, he was just going and getting it.&rdquo;
Milwaukee improved to 14-3 at home and 21-8 overall.
The Jazz was able to tie the game at 42-42 when Beasley hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the second quarter, but Holiday responded with 10 consecutive points, capped by a pull-up triple and a 3-pointer from the corner.
&ldquo;He caught a great rhythm and we needed it,&rdquo; Budenholzer said. &ldquo;It felt like Jrue did it a lot of different ways and looked like himself.&rdquo;
The Bucks outscored the Jazz, 31-14, in the final quarter and took command with a 13-0 run to open the quarter to take a 105-83 lead.
Beasley and Lauri Markkanen each had 18 points for Utah. The Jazz (17-15) were coming off back-to-back home victories over New Orleans.
&ldquo;That wasn't great,&rdquo; Utah coach Will Hardy said. &ldquo;It's never as bad as it feels sometimes. Their physicality bothered us tonight, moreso when we had the ball than when they had the ball.&rdquo;
INGLES TO RETURN
Veteran forward Joe Ingles is scheduled to make his Milwaukee debut Monday night when the Bucks play at New Orleans. The 6-foot-9 Ingles, signed as a free agent in the offseason, played eight seasons for Utah but suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament on Jan. 30 last season. &ldquo;The expectation is that he will play on Monday,&rdquo; Budenholzer said. &ldquo;His passing is probably the thing that stands out the most. His 3-point shooting is going to be really helpful for us.&rdquo;
TIP-INS
Jazz: All five Utah starters are averaging career highs in assists. &ldquo;They&rsquo;re bought into playing as a group,&rdquo; Hardy said. &ldquo;We talked from the beginning of training camp about play hard and pass. Those are the two things we care about.&rdquo;
Bucks: Holiday and Serge Ibaka returned after being sidelined with illness. Holiday had missed the last two games, a win over Golden State and a lopsided loss in Memphis.
UP NEXT
Jazz: At Cleveland on Monday night.
Bucks: At New Orleans on Monday night.

The Bucks were without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton on Saturday night, but they managed to beat the Jazz 123-97.

Bucks beat Jazz without stars Antetokounmpo, Middleton

MILWAUKEE (AP) &mdash; Brook Lopez shot 7 for 9 from 3-point range and scored 29 points as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the skidding Cleveland Cavaliers 113-98 on Wednesday night.
The Cavaliers have lost five straight games since racing to an 8-1 start.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 16 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists for the Bucks. Jordan Nwora had a season-high 21 points to help the Bucks outscore the Cavaliers 45-20 in bench points.
Lopez was one off his career high in 3-pointers. The 7-footer made eight 3-pointers against Miami on Nov. 11, 2018.
Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland each had 23 points and Evan Mobley added 20 for the Cavaliers.
Mitchell returned after sitting out one game with a strained right ankle, but the Cavaliers played a second straight game without Jarrett Allen due to a non-COVID illness. Without their All-Star center on the floor, the Cavaliers were outrebounded 52-34 and outscored 21-6 in second-chance points.
Milwaukee was missing Jrue Holiday (sprained right ankle), Grayson Allen (sprained right ankle) and Wesley Matthews (strained right hamstring). This is the fourth straight game Holiday has missed.
The Bucks already are without Khris Middleton (wrist), Pat Connaughton (calf) and Joe Ingles (knee), who have yet to make their season debuts.
After trailing for most of the first two quarters, the Bucks grabbed a 61-60 lead at the half before breaking the game open in the third period.
MarJon Beauchamp&rsquo;s dunk capped an 11-0 run that extended the Bucks&rsquo; lead to 77-63 with 7:15 left in the third quarter. The Bucks outscored the Cavaliers 34-18 in that period and led by as many as 20.
Cleveland cut the lead to 100-91 with less than 7 1/2 minutes left in the game, but the Bucks scored the next nine points to seal the victory.
Bobby Portis had 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Bucks. Jevon Carter added 11 points and eight assists.
TIP-INS
Cavaliers: Swingman Dylan Windler will miss about four to six more weeks <a href="https://apnews.com/article/cleveland-cavaliers-nba-sports-dylan-windler-dfe496dcee4b8ab89195626d7919b654">after undergoing a platelet-rich plasma injection on his sprained right ankle.</a> The ankle injury has caused Windler to play just one game this season. &ldquo;He had a phenomenal lead-up to camp with us,&rdquo; coach J.B. Bickerstaff said before the game. &ldquo;We were expecting really good things for him. I was happy for him that he kind of found that confidence and that swagger and that belief in himself. And then this happens. It&rsquo;s tough.&rdquo;
Bucks: Connaughton was listed as probable on the initial injury report, but was held out. The 29-year-old guard hasn&rsquo;t played this season due to strained right calf. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t want to rush it,&rdquo; coach Mike Budenholzer said before the game. &ldquo;Just feel like giving him a little more time was the wisest move.&rdquo; ... The Bucks went with a super-sized starting lineup that included a frontcourt of the 6-11, Antetokounmpo, the 7-foot Lopez and the 6-11 Portis. ... A.J. Green returned from a nasal fracture to play his second game of the season and first since Oct. 22.
UP NEXT
Cavaliers: Host the Charlotte Hornets on Friday to begin a four-game homestand.
Bucks: At Philadelphia on Wednesday. The Bucks opened the season by <a href="https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-76ers-milwaukee-bucks-nba-sports-tyrese-maxey-326a61a43cbbf5370e9a98fc21e71568">winning 90-88</a> at Philadelphia on Oct. 20.

Brook Lopez shot 7 for 9 from three-point range and scored 29 points as the Bucks beat the skidding Cavaliers 113-98.

Lopez scores 29, Bucks deal Cavs 5th straight loss 113-98

MIAMI (AP) &mdash; Bam Adebayo scored 30 points, including a pair of free throws to put Miami up for good with 35 seconds left, and the Heat rallied from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Phoenix Suns 113-112 on Monday night.
Phoenix had three shots to win on its final possession &mdash; a missed layup by Cameron Payne, a jumper from Devin Booker that Jimmy Butler blocked, and then a 3-pointer from Booker that fell short.
Butler finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists for Miami. Caleb Martin and Kyle Lowry each scored 15 for Miami, which got back to .500 at 7-7.
Booker led Phoenix with 25 points, and Duane Washington Jr. added 21. Deandre Ayton finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Suns, who shot only four free throws compared to 25 for Miami.
CELTICS 126, THUNDER 122
BOSTON (AP) &mdash; Marcus Smart scored 20 of his 22 points in the second half, and Boston beat Oklahoma City for its seventh straight win.
Boston trailed by 15 in the third quarter but outscored Oklahoma City 37-26 in the fourth.
Jayson Tatum had 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown scored 26, and Al Horford added 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Smart also had eight assists and five rebounds, and reserve Payton Pritchard added 10 points, leading a key surge late in the third and early in the fourth as the Celtics rallied.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 37 points. Lu Dort scored 21 and Aleksej Pokusevski finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds.
HAWKS 121, BUCKS 106
MILWAUKEE (AP) &mdash; De&rsquo;Andre Hunter scored 24 points and Trae Young had 21 points and nine assists, leading Atlanta over Milwaukee.
Clint Capela added 19 points and 10 rebounds as the Hawks won for the fifth time in seven games. Dejounte Murray also scored 19, and John Collins had 16 points and nine boards.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who missed the previous two games and three of the past four with left knee soreness, scored 27 points in 31 minutes. The Bucks have lost three of four after a 9-0 start.
It was the third meeting between the teams in 16 days. MarJon Beauchamp had 20 points for the Bucks, who dropped to 7-1 at home.
WARRIORS 132, SPURS 95
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) &mdash; Back in the starting lineup for a night, Jordan Poole scored a season-best 36 points on the debut of his first bobblehead and led Golden State past San Antonio.
Poole shot 13 for 20 and knocked down five 3-pointers. He exited with 8:04 left following his 13th career game of 30 or more points.
Stephen Curry added 16 points, five rebounds and five assists in 27 minutes. It was the second game of a back-to-back for the Warriors after they lost 122-115 at Sacramento on Sunday to fall to 0-7 on the road.
Keldon Johnson had 15 points for the injury-plagued Spurs.
RAPTORS 115, PISTONS 111
DETROIT (AP) &mdash; Dalano Banton scored 27 points and Chris Boucher added 20 as short-handed Toronto snapped a three-game losing streak with a victory over Detroit.
O.G. Anunoby added 19 points and seven rebounds for the Raptors, who played without Fred VanVleet (non-COVID-19 illness), Pascal Siakam (abdominal strain) and Gary Trent (hip).
Rookie guard Jaden Ivey scored 21 for the Pistons, who lost their fourth straight. Bojan Bogdanovic added 18 points.
HORNETS 112, MAGIC 105
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) &mdash; LaMelo Ball had 17 points and nine assists, and Charlotte stopped an eight-game slide by beating Orlando.
Seven players scored in double figures for the Hornets, including their entire starting lineup. Mason Plumlee had 18 points and 10 rebounds. Terry Rozier scored 17, and Kelly Oubre Jr. had 16.
Franz Wagner scored 23 points and Wendell Carter Jr. added 20 for Orlando, but the Magic committed 22 turnovers.
Ball, who missed the Hornets&rsquo; 113-93 loss at Orlando last month because of a sprained ankle, played in only his second game of the season after missing the first 13.
CLIPPERS 122, ROCKETS 106
HOUSTON (AP) &mdash; Paul George scored 22 points in three quarters to lead Los Angeles past Houston.
George, who also had eight rebounds and five assists, spent the fourth quarter on the bench with the game in hand as Clippers coach Tyronn Lue didn&rsquo;t play his starters in the final period on the front end of a back-to-back.
Jalen Green scored 25 points and Kevin Porter Jr. added 20 for the Rockets, who dropped their third in a row.
Reggie Jackson had 17 points and six assists to help the Clippers win for the third time in four games.

Bam Adebayo scored 30 points, and the Heat rallied from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Suns 113-112 on Monday.

Adebayo scores 30 points as Heat rally past Suns 113-112

MILWAUKEE (AP) &mdash; De&rsquo;Andre Hunter scored 24 points and Trae Young had 21 points and nine assists, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 121-106 victory over Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night.
Clint Capela added 19 points and 10 rebounds as Atlanta won for the fifth time in seven games. Dejounte Murray also scored 19, and John Collins had 16 points and nine boards.
&ldquo;I thought our guards did a really good of establishing the tempo and making them work on the defensive end,&rdquo; Hawks coach Nate McMillan said. &ldquo;Defensively, we didn&rsquo;t give up anything easy.&rdquo;
Antetokounmpo, who missed the last two games and three of the last four with left knee soreness, scored 27 points in 31 minutes. The Bucks have lost three of four after a 9-0 start.
Antetokounmpo made 8 of 21 shots, missing all three 3-point attempts, and was 11 of 18 from the free-throw line. Antetokounmpo said he was a bit rusty in his first game back.
&ldquo;When was the last time I played, like six or seven days ago, a week ago?&rdquo; Antetokounmpo said. &ldquo;But that&rsquo;s part of it. You can&rsquo;t get too low or get too high. It&rsquo;s part of it. You can&rsquo;t expect to be at your best when you haven&rsquo;t played for a week.&rdquo;
Atlanta led 94-80 entering the final period. Milwaukee scored eight consecutive points to close to 108-99 with 3:12 left. Antetokounmpo fouled out with 1:35 remaining, and Murray hit both free throws to make it 116-101.
&ldquo;They move the ball. They have a lot of capable players that can go one-on-one,&rdquo; Antetokounmpo said. &ldquo;Capable scorers, good shooters.&rdquo;
It was the third meeting between the teams in 16 days. The Bucks suffered their first loss of the season at Atlanta a week ago.
&ldquo;The scoring was really well distributed for them tonight,&rdquo; Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. &ldquo;They&rsquo;ve beat us different ways. The guards have had big nights. Tonight, there was a lot of balance.&rdquo;
MarJon Beauchamp had 20 points for the Bucks, who lost for the first time at home after seven victories.
Atlanta scored 34 points in the paint in the first half en route to a 63-50 lead at the break. The Hawks shot 56.3% in the first half, compared to 39.5% for the Bucks, who were just 3 of 14 from beyond the arc.
&ldquo;Right away, I knew that going against a team like that we&rsquo;ve got to be the aggressor,&rdquo; Capela said. &ldquo;As far as defensive-wise, I feel that&rsquo;s my job is trying to set the tone.&rdquo;
TIP-INS
Hawks: Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) remained out. He has yet to play this season.
Bucks: Both F Khris Middleton (wrist surgery) and G Pat Connaughton (right calf strain) remain out, but are getting closer to returning. Coach Mike Budenholzer said the Bucks have been cautious with both. ... G Jrue Holiday (right ankle sprain) missed his third straight game. G Grayson Allen left with an ankle sprain after playing 10 minutes and did not return. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ll just no more in the morning and I&rsquo;ll leave it at that,&rdquo; Budenholzer said.
UP NEXT
Hawks: Host the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.
Bucks: Host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.

Trae Young had 21 points and 9 assists, leading the Hawks to a 121-106 win over Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks on Monday.

Hunter, Young lead Hawks past Giannis, Bucks 121-106

MILWAUKEE (AP) &mdash; Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday each scored 34 points as the Milwaukee Bucks responded after falling behind in the fourth quarter to beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-115 on Saturday night and remain unbeaten.
Antetokounmpo scored 30 of his 34 points after halftime and also had 17 rebounds. Holiday also had 12 assists as the Bucks withstood Trae Young&rsquo;s 42-point effort and improved to 5-0.
The Hawks trailed 118-115 after calling a timeout with 23.2 seconds left, but DeAndre Hunter was called for an offensive foul on Wesley Matthews before Atlanta could throw the ball inbounds.
Milwaukee sealed the win from there, with Antetokounmpo delivering the emphatic punctuation by dunking in the closing seconds after Holiday stole the ball from Young.
Antetokounmpo has scored 151 points over his last four games, which represents the highest output he's had for any four-game stretch in his career.
Brook Lopez had 21 points and Jordan Nwora 11 for the Bucks.
Dejounte Murray scored 21, Hunter 14 and Clint Capela 11 for the Hawks.
The Hawks trailed by 10 with less than 10 minutes left but rallied to tie the game at 104-all on Young&rsquo;s 10-footer with 4:36 remaining the first time Milwaukee hadn&rsquo;t led since about seven minutes remained in the fourth quarter.
After Antetokounmpo responded by driving the lane and throwing down a left-handed dunk, Young sank a 3-pointer from over 30 feet away with 4:09 remaining, giving the Hawks their first lead since the opening period.
Antetokounmpo answered with another dunk that put the Bucks back ahead for good with 3:56 remaining.
Atlanta had the ball while trailing 112-111 on two separate possessions in the final two minutes, but Young missed both times, including once from 3-point range. Antetokounmpo dunked in a putback on Bobby Portis&rsquo; missed 3-point attempt to make it 114-111 with 1:15 left.
The Hawks didn&rsquo;t go away.
Antetokounmpo&rsquo;s jumper off the glass was sandwiched between baskets from Dejounte Murray and Young. The Young basket cut Milwaukee&rsquo;s lead to 116-115 with 42.2 seconds left.
But the Bucks scored the game&rsquo;s final seven points to survive. Holiday drove the lane and scored to make it 118-115 with 23.2 seconds remaining.
TIP-INS
Hawks: Atlanta had a 53-19 edge over Detroit in bench scoring in a Friday victory over the Pistons but couldn&rsquo;t get the same type of production from its reserves Saturday. Milwaukee&rsquo;s reserves outscored Atlanta&rsquo;s bench 30-23. &hellip; Justin Holiday&rsquo;s 10 points were a season high. Justin Holiday is Jrue&rsquo;s older brother. Justin&rsquo;s younger brother is Atlanta&rsquo;s Aaron Holiday who scored three points in 24 minutes.
Bucks: After shooting a combined 1 of 11 from 3-point range in victories over Brooklyn and New York this week, Lopez was 5 of 8 from beyond the arc Saturday. He made his first five attempts and had 19 points in the first 19 minutes. &hellip; Rookie first-round pick MarJon Beauchamp entered the game at the start of the second quarter and played a total of seven minutes.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday each scored 34 points as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-115.

Bucks outlast Hawks 123-115 to maintain perfect record

MILWAUKEE (AP) &mdash; Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 44 points and became Milwaukee&rsquo;s career free throws leader as the Bucks rolled to a 125-105 victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.
Antetokounmpo went 8 of 13 from the foul line to increase his total to 3,508 free throws out of 4,891 attempts (71.7%). <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/moncrsi01.html">Sidney Moncrief made 3,505 free throws with the Bucks from 1979-89.</a>
The two-time MVP played less than 28 minutes but still had 12 rebounds. Antetokounmpo shot 17 of 21 from the floor, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range.
Antetokounmpo left for good with 8:08 remaining and the Bucks ahead 107-85.
This game began a six-game homestand for the Bucks, who <a href="https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-76ers-milwaukee-bucks-nba-sports-tyrese-maxey-326a61a43cbbf5370e9a98fc21e71568#:~:text=PHILADELPHIA%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20Wesley%20Matthews,Philadelphia%2076ers%20on%20Thursday%20night.">won their season opener 90-88 at Philadelphia</a> on Thursday night.
The Rockets were playing one night after a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/memphis-grizzlies-houston-rockets-nba-sports-garrison-mathews-2c658f3b8de750f91362a9d695779eed">129-122 home loss to Memphis.</a> Eric Gordon, who scored 17 points against the Grizzlies, didn&rsquo;t play Saturday due to what the team described as maintenance of an injured right groin.
Houston also was missing Bruno Fernando, who had left the Grizzlies game with a sore left knee.
Rockets coach Stephen Silas said they were simply resting Gordon rather than having the 33-year-old guard play on back-to-back nights. Silas said he wasn&rsquo;t sure how long Fernando might be out.
Jalen Green led the Rockets with 22 points. Kevin Porter Jr. had 18, Kenyon Martin Jr. 14, Jabari Smith Jr. 13 and Tari Eason 11.
The Bucks scored the game&rsquo;s first 13 points and never trailed. The Rockets never got the margin below 12 points in the second half.
Jrue Holiday, who shot 2 of 15 and had just six points in the Bucks' victory over the 76ers, exceeded that scoring output in the first two minutes of Saturday&rsquo;s game and finished with 19 points. Bobby Portis had 13 and Grayson Allen added 11 as the Bucks shot 56.5% from the floor.
TIP-INS
Rockets: Silas said the Rockets might not have a set starting lineup for much of the season. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re going to be pretty fluid as far as who we&rsquo;re playing against, who&rsquo;s playing well for our group and who&rsquo;s available,&rdquo; Silas said before the game.
Bucks: Coach Mike Budenholzer didn&rsquo;t have the walking boot that he was wearing in Philadelphia. Budenholzer has been recuperating after having replacement surgery on his right ankle during the offseason. ... Rookie first-round pick MarJon Beauchamp made his NBA debut, entering the game with just over two minutes left. Beauchamp, the 24th overall pick in the draft, hadn't played against the 76ers. ... Brook Lopez had five of the Bucks' 10 blocks.
UP NEXT
Rockets: Return home to face Utah on Monday night before beginning a four-game trip.
Bucks: Host Brooklyn on Wednesday night.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 44 points and became Milwaukee’s career free throws leader as the Bucks rolled to a 125-105 victory.

Antetokounmpo scores 44 points, Bucks rout Rockets 125-105

MILWAUKEE (AP) &mdash; Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton probably won&rsquo;t be available for the beginning of the season after undergoing surgery on his left wrist this summer.
&ldquo;Hopefully soon after that.&rdquo; the three-time All-Star said Sunday at the Bucks&rsquo; Media Day event.
Middleton said he played through the wrist injury late last season before undergoing surgery. He was wearing a cast for much of the offseason before having it removed two weeks ago.
&ldquo;Sometime around after the All-Star break, I just felt it during one game and it kind of just never went away,&rdquo; Middleton said. &ldquo;It wasn&rsquo;t too painful, just something that was going to have to be fixed at some point.&rdquo;
The injury isn&rsquo;t related to the issue that ended Middleton&rsquo;s 2021-22 playoff run early.
<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chicago-bulls-boston-celtics-milwaukee-bucks-nba-sports-50054b97e39211a15bf4f2e2f0a90699">Middleton sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee</a> during Game 2 of the Bucks&rsquo; first-round playoff series with the Chicago Bulls and didn&rsquo;t play again, missing the entire <a href="https://apnews.com/article/milwaukee-bucks-miami-heat-boston-celtics-nba-travel-7d6fd7328f8ecf8df8dfb59001a9ce22">Eastern Conference semifinal that Milwaukee lost in seven games to the Boston Celtics.</a>
The loss to Boston ended Milwaukee&rsquo;s bid for a second straight title and has provided plenty of motivation as the Bucks prepare for the upcoming season.
When he was asked Sunday about his reaction to people calling him the best player in the world, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo said that title should go to Stephen Curry, who led the Golden State Warriors to the most recent championship.
&ldquo;Do I believe I&rsquo;m the best player in the world? No,&rdquo; Antetokounmpo said. &ldquo;I think the best player in the world is the person that is the last one standing, the person that takes his team to the final, to the finish line and helps them win games and become champion.&rdquo;
The Bucks return with virtually the same roster they had last year. That roster doesn&rsquo;t currently include restricted free agent Jordan Nwora, but general manager Jon Horst said Sunday that &ldquo;Jordan&rsquo;s going to be with us&rdquo; while adding that the Bucks are still working out final details with the 2020 second-round draft pick from Louisville.
The only players on Milwaukee&rsquo;s training camp roster who weren&rsquo;t part of the team at some point last season are rookies MarJon Beauchamp and AJ Green, Marques Bolden and veteran free-agent acquisition Joe Ingles.
Ingles won&rsquo;t be ready for the start of the season as he r <a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-jazz-nba-sports-joe-ingles-donovan-mitchell-2e4df77a1d9953011a3b9bb65fd258bc">ecovers from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.</a> Ingles played 45 games in the 2021-22 season before hurting the knee in late January, knocking him out for the rest of that season.
Horst said Ingles could return as early as December but more realistically would make his Bucks' debut in January.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m very confident, but it&rsquo;s just a bit of a process at the moment of seeing how it goes,&rdquo; Ingles said.
One player who&rsquo;s feeling better after an injury-riddled 2021-22 season is reserve guard George Hill, who dealt with neck and abdominal issues that limited him to 54 games. The 36-year-old Hill said he considered retirement but didn&rsquo;t want to end his career with that kind of season.
&ldquo;I felt like I let the city of Milwaukee down last year not being able to perform the way I normally perform,&rdquo; Hill said. &ldquo;I let my teammates down, being injured. And I thought about (retiring), but as a competitor, I didn&rsquo;t want to go out like that.&rdquo;
Milwaukee&rsquo;s injury list isn&rsquo;t limited to the players.
Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer had replacement surgery on his right ankle 4 &frac12;-5 &frac12; weeks ago and had a scooter next to him as he sat and spoke to reporters. He wasn&rsquo;t sure how the injury might impact him as the Bucks begin their preseason schedule Saturday against the Memphis Grizzlies before heading to Abu Dhabi for exhibition games with the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 6 and Oct. 8.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Khris Middleton probably won’t be available for the beginning of the season after undergoing surgery on his left wrist this summer.

Bucks' Khris Middleton likely to miss beginning of the season

A lot can change in a week.
Seven days ago, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren had the second-best odds to win the 2022-23 Rookie of the Year award. Now, one week later, Holmgren is out for the season after he suffered a Lisfranc injury to his right foot while playing in The CrawsOver Pro-Am in Seattle.
With the No. 2 overall pick no longer in the Rookie of the Year race, who are the current favorites for the award entering the 2022-23 season? How did the odds change after Holmgren's injury?&nbsp;
On <a href="https://www.betonline.ag/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BetOnline</a>, Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero still has the best odds at 3/2. Banchero has been the favorite all offseason, and his odds moved from 3/1 to 3/2 following Holmgren's injury.
Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray has the second-best odds. While he was previously listed at 9/1, his odds are now 5/1 following Holmgren's injury.
Rounding out the top five are Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (11/2 odds, up from 15/2), Houston Rockets big man Jabari Smith Jr. (8/1 odds, down from 7/2) and Bennedict Mathurin (9/1 odds, up from 12/1).
The only other players who saw their odds increase over the last week were Houston Rockets wing Tari Eason (who moved from 66/1 to 33/1), Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (who moved 50/1 to 40/1) and Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (who moved from 80/1 to 66/1).
Interestingly, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams actually saw his ROY odds dip after Holmgren's injury, moving from 22/1 to 25/1. Washington Wizards guard Johnny Davis' odds also dropped a bit, going from 18/1 to 33/1.
Here's a look at the complete Rookie-of-the-Year odds from <a href="https://www.betonline.ag/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BetOnline</a>:
<table style="font-weight: 400; width: 262px;" width="276">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.262px;">
Paolo Banchero
</td>
<td style="width: 74.05px;">
3/2
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.312px;">
Keegan Murray
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
5/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.325px;">
Jaden Ivey
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
11/2
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
Jabari Smith Jr
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
8/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
Bennedict Mathurin
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
9/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
Jalen Williams
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
25/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
Shaedon Sharpe
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
25/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
Jalen Duren
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
33/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
Johnny Davis
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
33/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
Mark Williams
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
33/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
Tari Eason
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
33/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
Dyson Daniels
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
40/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
Ochai Agbaji
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
40/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
Jaden Hardy
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
40/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
AJ Griffin
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
50/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
Ousmane Dieng
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
50/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
Jeremy Sochan
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
50/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
Nikola Jovic
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
66/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
Malaki Branham
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
80/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
Marjon Beauchamp
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
100/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
Dalen Terry
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
100/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
TyTy Washington
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
100/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
Jake LaRavia
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
100/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
Walker Kessler
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
100/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
Blake Wesley
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
125/1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 159.331px;">
Christian Braun
</td>
<td style="width: 74.0687px;">
125/1
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
While Holmgren's injury is obviously unfortunate, he isn't the first high-profile prospect to miss his entire rookie season with an injury. <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/holmgren-isnt-the-first-lottery-pick-to-suffer-a-seasonending-injury" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Here's a look at six other lottery picks who went through the same thing.</a>

Following Chet Holmgren's injury, who are the favorites to win the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year award? How did the odds change?

How did Chet Holmgren's injury affect NBA Rookie of the Year odds?

Is the NBA ready to add an expansion team? Evan Sidery explores what kind of team you could build in a present-day expansion draft.

NBA Expansion Mock Draft: What would a new expansion team look like?

JD Davison had 28 points and 10 assists, Juhann Begarin added 19 points and the Boston Celtics beat the Memphis Grizzlies 108-91 on Thursday for their third straight victory in the NBA Summer League.
Davison, the 53rd pick in the draft, made 5 of 6 field goals in the first half and scored 19 points to help Boston (3-1) take a 51-39 lead. Davison finished 9 of 14 overall, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range.
Justin Jackson added 16 points, Brodric Thomas had 13, and Trevion Williams finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Ziaire Williams scored 21 points for Memphis (2-2). David Roddy and Kenny Lofton Jr. each had 16 points. The Grizzlies were just 3 of 20 from distance.
HAWKS 87, SPURS 86
Tyson Etienne scored 18 of his 21 points in the second half, including a <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1547700565617938437">go-ahead layup with 14.3 seconds left</a>, and Atlanta handed San Antonio its fourth straight loss.
Atlanta (2-2) scored 14 straight points to make it 85-81 with two minutes remaining.
Sharife Cooper added 15 points and Tyrese Martin scored 13 for Atlanta.
Blake Wesley scored 20 points for San Antonio (0-4).
CAVALIERS 82, PISTONS 79
Cameron Young scored 15 points, RJ Nembhard Jr. added 14 and Cleveland beat Detroit.
Stanley Umude made a layup with 58 seconds left to give Detroit its first lead, 77-76, since 7-5. Ochai Agbaji made two free throws at the other end as Cleveland retook the lead with 45.3 left. The Cavaliers made 6 of 6 free throws in the final minute and Young blocked a 3-point attempt in the final seconds.
Agbaji had 12 points and seven rebounds for Cleveland (2-2).
Jules Bernard scored 14 points for Detroit (2-2).
The Pistons missed their first 12 3-pointers until Braxton Key beat the halftime buzzer to cut Cleveland's lead to 45-26. The Pistons had 13 turnovers and just 10 field goals in the first half.
BULLS 89, HORNETS 73
Dalen Terry scored 20 points, Marko Simonovic had 17 points, 13 rebounds and four assists and Chicago eased past Charlotte.
Malcolm Hill and Makur Maker each scored 11 points for Chicago (3-1).
Bryce McGowens led Charlotte (2-2) with 15 points. Jalen Crutcher and JT Thor had 10 points apiece.
KNICKS 102, MAGIC 89
Miles McBride had 23 points and five assists, Quentin Grimes scored 22 with six rebounds and New York breezed past Orlando.
Jericho Sims, the only pick the Knicks (3-1) haven't traded away in the last two drafts, added 12 points and 10 rebounds. New York, which will have three protected first-round picks in next year's draft, chose Sims with the 58th selection (out of 60) in the 2021 draft.
Tommy Kuhse had 25 points and five steals to pace the Magic (2-2). Justin James scored 16 and Zavier Simpson added 10 points and nine assists.
Paolo Banchero, the top pick in this year's draft, was among eight Orlando players who did not play.
BUCKS 100, MAVERICKS 89
Lindell Wigginton scored 25 points, Sandro Mamukelashvili added 19 and Milwaukee eased past Dallas.
Milwaukee (3-1) first-rounder MarJon Beauchamp &mdash; 24th overall and the Bucks' only pick &mdash; finished with 11 points, four rebounds and four assists.
Moses Wright led Dallas (0-4) with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Jerrick Harding added 16 points and five assists.
TRAIL BLAZERS 85, ROCKETS 77
Keon Johnson hit four 3-pointers and scored 25 to lead Portland over Houston.
Second-round pick Jabari Walker had nine points and nine rebounds for Blazers (3-1).
No. 3 overall pick Jabari Smith Jr. had 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Rockets. Tari Eason &mdash; the 17th pick &mdash; added 17 points and seven boards. Daishen Nix scored 15.
NETS 102, TIMBERWOLVES 83
Cam Thomas scored 26 points, Day'Ron Sharpe added 20 points and 10 rebounds and Brooklyn rolled to a win over Minnesota.
Thomas made four 3-pointers for the Nets (2-2). Sharpe sank 8 of 10 shots and grabbed four offensive boards. David Duke Jr. totaled 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Kessler Edwards scored 15 with nine rebounds.
Wendell Moore Jr. led the Timberwolves (1-3) with 16 points. Josh Minott had 14 points and 12 rebounds. Kevon Harris and Terrell Brown Jr. each scored 10.

JD Davison had 28 points and 10 assists in Boston's third straight win in Summer League.

JD Davison leads Celtics past Grizzlies in Summer League play

NBA Summer League is well past halfway, and we continue to see new faces stand out every single afternoon.&nbsp;
While Keegan Murray remains perhaps the story of the summer with the Kings, two rookies also went head-to-head in a duel between the Cavaliers and Hornets. Older NBA hopefuls also showed out, including a first-round castoff from five years ago.
As we forge on in the Las Vegas heat, here's who popped on Day 7:
STUDS
Sandro Mamukelashvili, Milwaukee Bucks
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Sandro Mamukelashvili set the tone for the <a href="https://twitter.com/Bucks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bucks</a> in their <a href="https://twitter.com/NBASummerLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBASummerLeague</a> win!<a href="https://twitter.com/Mamukelashvili5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Mamukelashvili5</a>: 18 PTS, 15 REB, 2 BLK <a href="https://t.co/G4jrt5aL6v">pic.twitter.com/G4jrt5aL6v</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1547345503934971904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2022</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

Box score stats: 18 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 6/13 FG, 2/6 3PT
Mamukelashvili has been one of the more dominant second-year performers at Summer League. On Wednesday, he outmuscled a smaller Timerwolves team on the glass. He finished off buckets as a pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop player, a testament to how Mamukelashvili can be used as a versatile offensive piece.
The second-round pick also put together nice moments as a passer. He made one impressive drive-and-kick read to a relocating MarJon Beauchamp for a three-pointer and added some more assists simply by connecting to the right shooter. Hopefully the Bucks coaching staff is scheming up ways to get Mamukelashvili involved during the regular season.
Bryce McGowens, Charlotte Hornets
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Bryce McGowens drains the deep 3 🎯 He finishes with 5 3PM and 24 PTS <a href="https://t.co/c0s9cP8VZC">pic.twitter.com/c0s9cP8VZC</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1547349909455659008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2022</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

Box score stats: 24 points, 2 rebounds, 7/10 FG, 5/6 3PT
It's all about ironing out scoring and playmaking consistency with McGowens. But when he's on, as he was Saturday, McGowens is a textbook walking bucket. Four of his five made triples were pull-ups, hinting at serious potential as a long-range scorer.&nbsp;
Though he only had one assist, McGowens flashed promise as a playmaker as well. He hit LJ Figueroa in the opposite corner with a laser in the third quarter, only for Figueroa to miss the shot. McGowens' three turnovers were emblematic of an inaccurate passer playing a bit over his head &mdash; but also a driver with impressive court vision who can see reads opening up. Oddly enough, some of the turnovers made me feel better about McGowens' passing upside &mdash; he just needs to improve at hitting his teammates.
Ochai Agbaji, Cleveland Cavaliers
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Ochai Agbaji balled out and had <a href="https://twitter.com/CJMcCollum?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CJMcCollum</a> impressed today 🤩 ⭐ 24 Pts ⭐ 7-13 FG ⭐ 4-8 3-PT FG <a href="https://t.co/scLflPCOhw">pic.twitter.com/scLflPCOhw</a>
&mdash; NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/1547354096461484032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2022</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

Box score stats: 24 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 7/13 FG, 4/8 3PT
Agbaji put together a smooth and confident scoring performance. The No. 14 pick used some double screens to free himelf for pull-up threes, and knocked down one off the catch via a pindown. He also worked his way into mid-range shots off the dribble and rarely felt rushed. On defense, he made two impressive reads as a helper, intercepting passes to a Charlotte roller and weak-side shooter. Cavs fans must be feeling optimistic about Agbaji's fit as a perimeter threat with a stable-enough defensive floor to stick in the rotation.&nbsp;
Deividas Sirvydis, New Orleans Pelicans
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
🇱🇹Deividas Sirvydis ('00) was feeling himself tonight. Showcasing his shotmaking from range, ability to make OTD shots, attacking downhill off-screen and some tiny defensive flashes as well. 25 points (6/10 3pt), 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals in 27 minutes. <a href="https://t.co/RifNDHO6bH">pic.twitter.com/RifNDHO6bH</a>
&mdash; Dainius Rum&scaron;a🇱🇹 (@imLuckyD) <a href="https://twitter.com/imLuckyD/status/1547376561787224064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2022</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

Box score stats: 25 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 9/17 FG, 6/10 3PT
Sirvydis went at No. 37 back in the 2019 NBA Draft as a draft-and-stash selection to the Detroit Pistons. He spent two seasons with the team as a reserve, but now gets another shot with the Pelicans. The lefty broke out on Wednesday, confidently drilling threes in a variety of contexts for New Orleans.
His lone block was also an impressive play; Sirvydis switched onto a speeding Devon Dotson and stayed with him on the drive, finishing with a rejection. Basketball Reference lists Sirvydis as 190 pounds, but he appears much bigger and stronger entering his third NBA season.
Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Keegan Murray scored 29 against OKC in a loss. The No. 4 overall pick has been HOOPING. <a href="https://t.co/tfOH4MhKtW">pic.twitter.com/tfOH4MhKtW</a>
&mdash; B/R Hoops (@brhoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/brhoops/status/1547400937286819846?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2022</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

Box score stats: 29 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, 9/17 FG, 2/7 3PT
Murray was mostly matched up against fellow top pick Chet Holmgren, and the fourth overall pick came out the victor. He blew by Holmgren off the dribble and was able to finish, even through Holmgren's well-known vertical wall. But Murray also powered through other imposing defenders like Eugene Omoruyi. His determination to convert at the rim was impressive, and it complemented his gravity from beyond the arc.&nbsp;
Though he wasn't a flawless overall defender, Murray exhibited active hands and awareness away from the ball. His steals came by cheating over on an unsuspecting dribbler and poking the basketball away. I wouldn't be surprised if the Kings opted to pull Murray from the final days of Summer League. He's been one of the top rookies over the last week and doesn't have much more to prove here.
DJ Wilson, Toronto Raptors
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
DJ Wilson was HOOPING in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBASummer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBASummer</a> action today 🌞🏀<a href="https://twitter.com/Lanky_Smoove?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Lanky_Smoove</a>: 22 PTS, 9 REB, 3 3PM <a href="https://t.co/l0kfDb4VPP">pic.twitter.com/l0kfDb4VPP</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1547407534239129600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2022</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

Box score stats: 22 points, 9 rebounds, 7/12 FG, 3/6 3PT
Wilson is one of several older, former first-round picks who are fighting for their NBA spots this summer. Once the No. 17 pick to Milwaukee back in 2017, Wilson also played for Houston before suiting up for just four games with the Raptors in 2021-22. This is pretty close to a make-or-break opportunity for him.
Wilson canned just 24.4% of his three-point attempts in 14 games with the G League's Raptors 905 last season. He's 5-for-10 in his last two Summer League games and appeared comfortable spotting up on Wednesday. Wilson also knocked down a jumper from the free-throw line and faded away on the baseline for another basket.
Other notable performances: Daeqwon Plowden (Pelicans), Tyrique Jones (Pelicans), DJ Wilson (Raptors), Jeff Dowtin (Raptors), Keon Ellis (Kings), Tre Mann (Thunder)
<div class="mceNonEditable"><spike>&nbsp;</spike></div>
DUDS
Isaiah Todd, Washington Wizards
Box score stats: 6 points, 2/7 FG, 1/6 3PT
Analysts billed Todd as an intruguing long-term play for Washington when he was selected at No. 31 in last year's NBA Draft. Todd's physical tools and flashes of three-level scoring keep you interested, but he's still a ways away from NBA rotation minutes. The box score isn't everything, but Todd not picking up a single rebound, assist or steal is fairly telling for his impact beyound getting points. The Wizards tried to work him off screens and cuts, and Todd found quality looks, but didn't convert enough of them on Wednesday.
Armoni Brooks, Toronto Raptors
Box score stats: 5 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2/12 FG, 1/10 3PT
Brooks is a pure sharpshooter and one of the better microwave perimeter scorers in the entire NBA. But if he's cold, his offensive impact rapidly deteriorates. Brooks simply couldn't get a bucket to fall in Toronto's loss to the Jazz. He did have three assists, but only one really caught my eye: a nice drop-off to David Johnson in transition. Brooks' cold spells kept him from being a rotation mainstay with the Raptors last season. We'll see if he can warm up during training camp.&nbsp;
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Charlie Brown Jr., Philadelphia 76ers
Box score stats: 3 points, 6 rebounds, 0/9 FG, 0/4 3PT
Miami has created one of the best defenses in NBA Summer League, and the Heat guards made life difficult from Brown. He was forced into a ton of tough runners and contested layup attempts that did not land. That being said, he also missed some open three-pointers he needs to make. Brown did shoot 40.0% from long range on high volume with the Blue Coats, so the rough day might be more a product of Miami's defense throwing him off.
Brandon Boston Jr., Los Angeles Clippers
Box score stats: 8 points, 7 rebounds, 3/15 FG, 2/7 3PT
Boston Jr. has made six of his last 27 field goal attempts in two Summer League games. After getting to the line 12 times to salvage his prior performance, the 2021 second-round pick didn't attempt a single free throw. He's still an inconsistent jump shooter, and the Clippers are clearly letting him experiment more as a creator in this setting. Boston added about 10 pounds to his long frame, but still struggled to finish through contact on some plays. I remain very interested in his long-term development, though, and this dud should just be viewed as him working through mistakes.

Bryce McGowens, Ochai Agbaji and Keegan Murray led the standouts from Day 7 of NBA Summer League.

10 studs and duds from Day 7 of NBA Summer League in Las Vegas

Tre Mann had 15 points and seven assists to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to an 86-80 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night in the NBA Summer League.
Oklahoma City's three first-round picks draft all contributed to the victory.
No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren had eight points, five rebounds, five steals and three assists before fouling out. No. 12 pick Jalen Williams added 12 points, while No. 11 pick Ousmane Dieng &mdash; acquired in a draft-day trade with the Knicks &mdash; had 12 points and seven rebounds.
Sacramento's Keegan Murray &mdash; the fourth overall choice &mdash; had 29 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Jared Rhoden added 16 points and eight rebounds. Keon Ellis had 14 points and five assists.
BUCKS 87, TIMBERWOLVES 75
Sandro Mamukelashvili had 18 points and 15 rebounds to lead Milwaukee Bucks past Minnesota.
Mamukelashvili, who was coming off a 28-point game Monday, also had four of Milwaukee's 25 assists on 30 field goals.
MarJon Beauchamp made four of Milwaukee's 15 3-pointers and finished with 15 points. Rayjon Tucker, Lindell Wigginton and Zylan Cheatham each scored 14 points.
Kevon Harris scored 16 points for Minnesota. Terrell Brown Jr. added 14 points, Wendell Moore Jr. had 13 and Marial Shayok 11.
HORNETS 91, CAVALIERS 80
Bryce McGowens made five 3-pointers and scored 24 points as Charlotte beat Cleveland.
Mark Williams, Brady Manek and LiAngelo Ball each scored 12 points, and Kai Jones added 11 for Charlotte (2-1).
Ochai Agbaji scored 24 points, with four 3-pointers, for Cleveland (1-2). Cameron Young added 11, Amauri Hardy had 10 and Isaiah Mobley grabbed 11 rebounds. The Cavaliers were 5 of 25 from distance.
PELICANS 106, WIZARDS 88
Deividas Sirvydis scored 25 points, going 6 of 10 from 3-point range, to help New Orleans beat Washington.
New Orleans trailed at halftime, but outscored Washington 28-15 in the third quarter to take the lead for good.
Jared Harper made 10 of 14 free throws and had 18 points and six assists for New Orleans (2-1). Daeqwon Plowden added 16 points and Dereon Seabron had 13.
Vernon Carey Jr. made his first five shots and scored 11 points for Washington (1-2). Tyler Hall also scored 11 points and Tahjere McCall added 10.
RAPTORS 80, JAZZ 74
D.J. Wilson had 22 points and nine rebounds, Jeff Dowtin added 19 points and Toronto handed Utah its first loss.
<a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1547380055629877248">Dowtin made a contested layup with 45.6 seconds left</a> for a four-point lead. Utah missed 3-pointers on its next two possessions and Dowtin sealed it with two free throws.
Jared Butler scored 12 points, Leandro Bolmaro added 11 and Darryl Morsell had 10 for Utah (2-1).
76ERS 75, HEAT 71
Trevelin Queen scored 16 points, Tyler Bey added 14 and Philadelphia held off Miami.
Malik Ellison had 12 points and 10 rebounds for Philadelphia.
Javonte Smart topped Miami with 20 points, and Haywood Highsmith had 17 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.
NUGGETS 80, CLIPPERS 75
Matt Mitchell had 17 points and six rebounds to help power Denver past Los Angeles.
Nuggets first-rounder Christian Braun &mdash; 21st overall &mdash; had eight points to go along with 12 rebounds, five assists and three blocks.
Jay Scrubb led the Clippers with 18 points.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Tre Mann had 15 points and seven assists to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to an 86-80 victory over the Kings on Wednesday night.

Mann leads Thunder past Kings 86-80 in Summer League play

NBA Summer League is a showcase for some of the top young talent in basketball. It also gives those on the fringes of the league a chance to break out, and reveal inspirational journeys of perseverance in the process.
Boston Celtics swingman Matt Ryan canned a game-winner on Monday to cap a performance I'll highlight in this roundup. But perhaps the best part came in his postgame interview:
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🎥: <a href="https://twitter.com/ASherrodblakely?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ASherrodblakely</a> asked Matt Ryan about how it feels to see his hard work starting to pay off. He got choked up a bit while reflecting on the fact that a year ago he was driving for Door Dash and know he&rsquo;s on a Celtics roster <a href="https://t.co/GBRk9ya2rQ">pic.twitter.com/GBRk9ya2rQ</a>
&mdash; 𝕂𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕚 𝔸. 𝕃𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕤 (@KwaniALunis) <a href="https://twitter.com/KwaniALunis/status/1546689627628589057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2022</a></blockquote>

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For Ryan and dozens of professional hopefuls, Summer League can help alter the course of their careers and lives. Performances like these are worth saluting.
Here's who stood out from what I saw on Monday:&nbsp;
STUDS
Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans
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Trey Murphy dropped a 30-piece in the <a href="https://twitter.com/PelicansNBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PelicansNBA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBASummer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBASummer</a> win!<a href="https://twitter.com/treymurphy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@treymurphy</a> 30 PTS (10-18 FGM) | 6 REB <a href="https://t.co/QesZWbUZM0">pic.twitter.com/QesZWbUZM0</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1546649262146129922?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
Box score stats: 30 points, 6 rebounds, 10/18 FG, 3/6 3PT
Murphy put on a full scoring display to open the afternoon. The second-year forward impressed me particularly with how he reached the rim off the dribble, changing speeds and using ball-screens to get downhill. He's a lot bigger and stronger than I've given him credit for; he finished hard through contact multiple times.
Of course, Murphy also knocked down a few long three-pointers, which has been his calling card since entering the league. He's been one of the most impressive scorers at Summer League to date, and hopefully it helps Murphy carve his niche in a deep Pelicans rotation.
Tari Eason, Houston Rockets
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Tari Eason dropped BUCKETS for the <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HoustonRockets</a> in their <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBASummer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBASummer</a> win!<a href="https://twitter.com/TAR13ASON?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TAR13ASON</a>: 22 PTS, 11 REB, 2 STL, 2 BLK <a href="https://t.co/V9cMKqdDd2">pic.twitter.com/V9cMKqdDd2</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1546681252379611137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Box score stats: 22 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 9/16 FG, 2/3 3PT
If you want to call Eason the rookie MVP of the summer, I'd hear you out. The No. 17 overall pick seems to get better every game, and against the San Antonio Spurs, Eason unleashed his most prolific two-way performance.
His defense remains top-notch for a young player. Eason punctuated his effort with an awesome defensive rotation and block in the third quarter. Then on offense, he was scoring buckets as a rolling lob threat, an off-dribble driver and a corner shooter. I've reached the stage with Eason where I'm constantly reminding myself not to overreact about his talent.
Matt Ryan, Boston Celtics
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MATT RYAN! BALL GAME! <a href="https://t.co/y97v9OGUBK">pic.twitter.com/y97v9OGUBK</a>
&mdash; Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) <a href="https://twitter.com/taylorcsnow/status/1546679203650732034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
Box score stats: 23 points, 2 steals, 7/12 FG, 6/11 3PT
Ryan was the hero in Boston's 111-109 win over Milwaukee thanks to his buzzer-beating three-pointer that included a twisted ankle in the process. But he caught fire throughout the contest. Ryan is excellent at relocating, and specifically earned some open looks when he capitalized on the chaos of an offensive rebound or loose ball.
Ryan played a grand total of five minutes with Boston last season after coming from the Grant Rapids Gold. With so many open roster spots, the Celtics could easily bring him back or sign him to a two-way contract.
Sandro Mamukelashvili, Milwaukee Bucks
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WHAT IS THIS SANDRO MAMUKELASHVILI <a href="https://t.co/BqPLOUyS1C">pic.twitter.com/BqPLOUyS1C</a>
&mdash; Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) <a href="https://twitter.com/stevejones20/status/1546676214890364929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Box score stats: 28 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks, 9/19 FG, 3/5 3PT
Though the Bucks lost their matchup against Boston, they had two outstanding individual performances. The first came from Mamukelashvili, the No. 54 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Mamukelashvili only had a pair of assists, but I thought they were two signifcant reads: a corner dart to an open MarJon Beauchamp three-pointer, and a dump-off from a drive to AJ Green. They complemented a versatile scoring performance, and he went toe-to-toe with Boston's Mfiondu Kabengele in a great battle that might have ended with the above posterization.
I liked some of Mamukelashvili's defensive moments too. He stuck to Juhann Begarin, an athletic driving wing, and picked up 2 blocks. It was a pretty great all-around effort for a player who could give Milwaukee some quality frontcourt depth.
Lindell Wigginton, Milwaukee Bucks
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Keeping Up With The Canadians 🇨🇦 Lindell Wigginton | vs. Boston 24 POINTS 3 THREE POINTERS 5 REBOUNDS 5 ASSISTS<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBASummer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBASummer</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Bucks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bucks</a> <a href="https://t.co/LZM7jXZ1zA">pic.twitter.com/LZM7jXZ1zA</a>
&mdash; NBA Canada (@NBACanada) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBACanada/status/1546849359483924482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Box score stats: 24 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 8/13 FG, 3/7 3PT
Wigginton was throwing dimes all over the court. His 6 turnovers don't do Wigginton justice, as 2 of those were great passes that Wigginton's teammates simply mishandled. Wigginton assisted Mamukelashvili on three of his makes and also pushed the Bucks forward on fast breaks.
As a scorer, the second-year guard used ball-screens to find a lane or force a switch, which he punished twice with pull-up twos. Defenders sometimes went under screens, and Wigginton responded by drilling some high-arcing threes. He balanced creativity with poise as a lead guard.
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
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I could watch Chet Holmgren block shots all day long. <a href="https://t.co/jnXHPjfffH">pic.twitter.com/jnXHPjfffH</a>
&mdash; Thunder Film Room (@ThunderFilmRoom) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThunderFilmRoom/status/1546672039179833344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Box score stats: 16 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 7/10 FG, 2/4 3PT
As the above Tweet implies, we will be lucky to see the No. 2 pick swatting shots for a long, long time. Holmgren's incredible instincts and timing aren't any new revelation, but that doesn't mean we can't appreciate them over and over again.
Orlando did not defend Holmgren as a roller particularly well in this one, and he found some easy finishes as a result. He also hit the defense with a sweet step-back three and positions himself well for dump-offs from passers like Josh Giddey. The only area I'd nitpick is that he sometimes tried to do too much as a ball-handler and coughed up some turnovers. But why not try to get creative in this setting?
Other notable performers: Daishen Nix (Rockets), Jabari Smith Jr. (Rockets), Josh Christopher (Rockets), Malaki Branham (Spurs), MarJon Beauchamp (Bucks), Mfiondu Kabengele (Celtics), Justin James (Magic), AJ Lawson (Mavericks), Quentin Grimes (Knicks), Jabari Walker (Trail Blazers)
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DUDS
Sharife Cooper, Atlanta Hawks
Box score stats: 0 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 turnovers, 0/8 FG
It's been a really rough week for Cooper as an offensive player. He's made 1 of his 14 field goal attempts through two games, and there isn't much to be optimistic about with his scoring flashes. Cooper really struggled to create easy looks at the rim. There were times where he'd even beat his defender on a drive and have them pinned on his hip, but he lacked the vertical explosion and strength to turn the advantages into quality chances. His perimeter shot looked inconsistent and timid. Hopefully, Cooper can turn things around, because we've seen so much more from him in the past year.
Leandro Bolmaro, Utah Jazz
Box score stats: 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 3/12 FG, 0/2 3PT
The Jazz eked out a win over the Dallas Mavericks despite some ghastly individual shooting nights. Bolmaro was determined to attack the Mavs off the dribble. The aggression was great, but it often came with a low-quality shot because he could not beat a defender, or he would drive into a crowd. I do want to credit Dallas because the team collectively played great defense against Bolmaro. The former Minnesota T-Wolves swingman also missed some must-have layups that I'm not concerned about in the future.
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Caleb Houstan, Orlando Magic
Box score stats: 4 points, 1 steal, 1 block, 2/10 FG, 0/6 3PT
This is another dud performance that I wouldn't be concerned about long-term. Houstan spaced the floor extremely well, was active as a cutter and even displayed some confidence attacking closeouts. He just missed shots that he should make. Now, if you're a skeptic of Houstan as a shooter based on his time at Michigan, then maybe this outing means more to you. I'm a firm believer in Houstan being one of the more talented pure movement threats in this draft class, so an off night isn't a harbinger for me.
Tre Mann, Oklahoma City Thunder
Box score stats: 9 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3/14 FG, 1/6 3PT
In a similar vein, Mann has proven from his flashes in the regular season that he's going to be an NBA-caliber scorer. Though Mann's Monday effort won't mean much in the long run, I felt he made some odd decisions on when to attack vs. settle/pass.
Sometimes ,Mann would try and make too much happen off the bounce against a stout Magic defense. On one other play, he had what appeared to be an easy rim attack, but hesitated and shot a three that ended up letting a defender back in the picture to contest. These are probably microscopic miscues, but I definitely want to monitor how Mann works alongside primary playmakers in Giddey and Jalen Williams.

Trey Murphy III poured in 30 points to lead Monday's top performances at NBA Summer League on Day 5.