5 Summer League Games You Need To Watch This Weekend

The NBA’s annual summer showcase is officially back in Las Vegas. The 2026 event marks the 21st edition of the Las Vegas Summer League, bringing all 30 teams to the UNLV campus for 76 games across 11 days. The California Classic and Salt Lake City Summer League may provide the appetizer, but Vegas remains the main course — the event where draft picks make their biggest first impressions, unheralded players fight for contracts and NBA stars regularly pop up courtside.

Summer League has become a mandatory stop on the journey from highly touted prospect to established NBA player. Some future stars arrived and immediately looked too good for the competition, while others struggled with their shots, turnovers or the speed of the professional game. Either way, players such as Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard and several other eventual All-Stars had to pass through the summer circuit before becoming household names. The basketball can occasionally get sloppy, but the spectacle — along with the opportunity to see the league’s future before everyone else — has always made Vegas appointment viewing.

This year’s highly regarded draft class wasted no time delivering. Opening night featured the matchup everybody wanted between Washington Wizards No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa and Utah Jazz No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson. Dybantsa finished with 27 points, seven rebounds and two steals, while Peterson scored 24 points but battled turnovers and Washington’s physical defense. The Wizards escaped with a 92-88 victory, helped by 26 points from Tre Johnson and 17 from Will Riley, setting the tone for a weekend loaded with rookie matchups worth watching.

Chicago Bulls vs. Memphis Grizzlies — July 10

The headlining matchup is Cameron Boozer against Caleb Wilson, the No. 3 and No. 4 picks in the draft. Boozer already displayed his strength, rebounding and offensive versatility during the Salt Lake City portion of Summer League, while Wilson gets his first major opportunity to show why Chicago viewed the athletic 6-foot-9 forward as a foundational piece.

There is plenty more to evaluate beyond those two. Chicago also selected versatile wing Dailyn Swain with the No. 15 pick, giving Bulls fans two first-rounders to track as the franchise begins reshaping its young core. Memphis will also feature Karim Lopez, the highly regarded Mexican forward whose draft rights were acquired by the Grizzlies, as well as guards Walter Clayton Jr. and Javon Small. Boozer versus Wilson is the selling point, but both organizations have multiple prospects who could make the game one of the weekend’s most entertaining showcases.

Atlanta Hawks vs. Brooklyn Nets — July 11

Two top-10 guards will control the spotlight when Atlanta’s Kingston Flemings, the No. 8 pick, faces Brooklyn’s Mikel Brown Jr., the No. 6 selection. Flemings was one of college basketball’s most productive freshman guards at Houston, averaging 16.1 points and 5.2 assists while combining speed, strength and defensive pressure. Brown is a smooth three-level scorer and playmaker who posted 10 points and four assists in only 19 minutes during his lone California Classic appearance.

Brooklyn’s roster also gives Brown some intriguing help. Former first-round picks Egor Dëmin, Drake Powell and Danny Wold are all participating, creating an early look at how several pieces of the Nets’ rebuild might fit together. Atlanta will lean heavily on Fleming’s ability to dictate pace and create offense, making this one of the weekend’s best tests for two guards expected to eventually have the ball in their hands at the NBA level.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks — July 11

Cameron Carr has already become one of the most entertaining players of the summer. The Lakers’ No. 24 pick scored 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a California Classic victory over Miami, showing off the length, outside shooting, and shot-creation ability that made him an intriguing late-first-round selection. Now he gets another chance to prove his early production is more than a brief hot streak.

Dallas will counter with Morez Johnson Jr., who went off for 27 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in the Mavericks’ 101-90 Vegas-opening loss to Golden State. Johnson’s motor and physicality immediately stood out, particularly around the rim and on the glass. Add Mavericks playmaker Ryan Nembhard, who handed out 11 assists in the opener, and this could turn into a fun contrast between Carr’s perimeter scoring and Johnson’s interior force.

Sacramento Kings vs. Washington Wizards — July 12

After beginning his Vegas run by leading Sacramento past the Clippers, Darius Acuff Jr. now receives his biggest individual challenge yet against Dybantsa and the Wizards. The No. 7 pick brings a downhill, aggressive style at point guard and entered the NBA after sweeping SEC Player and Rookie of the Year honors during his freshman season at Arkansas.

Dybantsa will naturally command most of the attention after his 27-point opener, but Washington’s entire young group looked dangerous against Utah. Tre Johnson gave the Wizards another explosive scorer, Will Riley produced in big moments and Jamir Watkins helped make Peterson’s night difficult. Acuff will have to generate offense against a long, active Washington lineup, while Dybantsa gets another opportunity to show that his opening-night performance was only the beginning.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Utah Jazz — July 12

This matchup carries a little more urgency because both teams are trying to respond to opening-night losses. No. 5 pick Keaton Wagler had a difficult first outing in Vegas as Sacramento beat Los Angeles, while Peterson’s 24-point night against Washington was overshadowed by his turnovers, foul trouble, and Utah’s loss. Summer League results do not define careers, but the first response to adversity is always worth watching.

Peterson already proved during the Salt Lake City Summer League that he can take over a game, scoring 28 points in his debut and showing why Utah selected him second overall. Wagler, meanwhile, must settle into the game, make stronger decisions and display more of the scoring and playmaking ability that made him a top-five pick out of Illinois. Utah also has young wings Cody Williams and Ace Bailey available, giving the Jazz several potential difference-makers as one of these teams attempts to collect its first Vegas victory.

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