The initial day of the NBA Las Vegas Summer League showcased exciting moments and the first appearance of No. 1 overall selection Cooper Flagg, who faced challenges in his shooting accuracy during a thrilling victory against the Los Angeles Lakers. Day 2 of the extended event from Las Vegas on Friday offered another chance to observe more potential stars from last month’s draft making their summer league debuts, as well as returning athletes aiming to elevate their status during their second or even third time participating in this showcase.
The contest generating the most buzz occurred Friday and involved the highest number of players expected to contribute to their respective NBA teams this upcoming season: the showdown between the Utah Jazz and the Charlotte Hornets. Although Utah played without prominent forward Ace Bailey, the game still featured significant talent. No. 4 overall pick Kon Knueppel didn’t achieve his first basket from the field until the middle of the fourth quarter, concluding with five points against the Jazz.
Cooper Flagg vs. Bronny James analysis: Top pick grapples with shooting touch in summer league opener
Cameron Salerno
Miami Heat point guard Kasparas Jakučionis, the No. 20 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, quickly recovered from a subpar performance at the California Classic, which acts as a precursor to the main event in Las Vegas. The former Illinois standout managed only one basket from the field in three appearances but responded on Friday by leading his team with 24 points. He also contributed four rebounds, four assists, and two steals in a 105-98 defeat against the Atlanta Hawks.
One of the rising stars from the second day was Detroit Pistons forward Ron Holland, who recorded a double-double (28 points, 11 rebounds) and also impacted the game defensively with three steals. Holland, the No. 5 overall pick last summer, seems prepared for an impressive season as he enters his second year.
Here are the main observations from Day 2 of the summer league in Las Vegas.
Knueppel struggles with his shot, another former Duke player excels
Shortly after his former Duke teammate encountered difficulties with his shooting against the Lakers, Knueppel also faced similar issues. He made his first basket of the summer league with 6:45 remaining via a fast-break dunk, finishing 1 for 8 from the field. While his shooting challenges aren’t overly concerning in the long run and could be attributed to first-game anxiety, his 3-for-6 performance from the free-throw line was unexpected. To provide context, Knueppel was among the top 3-point and free-throw shooters in college basketball last season, converting 117 of 128 attempts (91.4%) from the free-throw line.
In conclusion, there’s no need to be alarmed about Knueppel. At Duke, he excelled at creating his shot within the offensive flow. He should rediscover his shooting touch within an NBA structure.
While Knueppel experienced a slow start in the summer league, another former Duke player, Kyle Filipowski, stood out. The second-year forward was the most impactful player for Utah, accumulating 32 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Conversely, former UConn standout Liam McNeeley, the No. 29 pick last month, provided a boost off the bench for Charlotte, achieving a double-double (22 points and 12 rebounds) and sinking three 3-pointers.
Yang Hansen makes an impressive pass during the Day 2 finale
It didn’t take long for Portland’s center to energize the Las Vegas crowd. On Portland’s opening possession, Hansen delivered a clever bounce pass that resulted in a layup by Sidy Cissoko. Hansen, the No. 16 pick in the previous month’s draft, was one of the more surprising selections in the first round. He was initially projected as a second-round pick, but Portland opted for a bold approach by selecting a player with a unique skill set in the middle of the first round.
Jakučionis rebounds from his initial summer league appearance
Jakučionis did not perform at his best during the California Classic the previous weekend. The former Illinois star missed all 11 of his attempts from beyond the arc, committed 12 turnovers, and struggled to find his rhythm. In his Las Vegas summer league debut, he displayed a markedly different game. He hit three consecutive 3-pointers in the first quarter, maintained control, and played like someone who was once considered a lottery pick before ultimately dropping to pick No. 20.
His reduced turnovers were the most notable aspect of his improved performance. Turnovers were a significant weakness for him at Illinois, where he averaged 3.7 turnovers per game during his single season of college basketball. Enhancing this aspect of his game would greatly benefit his overall value. This performance against Atlanta highlighted why his drop to the 20s in the draft was unexpected.
Holland appears poised for a breakthrough season with Detroit
The No. 5 overall pick from the 2024 NBA Draft seems ready for a breakout second season and, in the process, appears too accomplished for the summer league. Holland scored 18 of his total 28 points in the third quarter during a 104-86 victory against the New York Knicks. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of his performance was his shooting from beyond the arc, finishing 4 of 5 from the 3-point line.
This development is particularly encouraging because shooting was a notable weakness for Holland both as a rookie and as a prospect with G League Ignite. He shot 23.9% from the 3-point line (1.9 attempts per game) last season. Holland clearly offers strengths beyond his shooting. He is an exceptional athlete with high energy, capable of being a prominent defender for years to come. Improving his jump shot would significantly enhance his game. Although overreactions (both positive and negative) are common during the summer league, a substantial improvement from one of Detroit’s young players seems likely.
Koby Brea could emerge as a second-round gem for Phoenix
The Phoenix Suns are undergoing significant transformations this offseason. The franchise traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, and it is believed that guard Bradley Beal might be nearing a buyout with the team. The Suns obtained the No. 10 pick in the Durant trade — used to draft Duke big man Khaman Maluach — and were also aggressive in the second round, trading up to select Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea.
Brea was arguably Phoenix’s top performer during their decisive win against the Washington Wizards. The former Dayton and Kentucky player showcased his shooting prowess with an efficient 19 points in 24 minutes. Brea made four 3-pointers on just five attempts, demonstrating how he can contribute to winning at the next level. Brea consistently ranked among the best shooters in college basketball throughout his career, a skill that appears to have translated to the summer league, at least.
Flagg vs. Dylan Harper headlines Day 3 in Las Vegas
The featured game for Day 3 of the summer league in Las Vegas will be a clash between the No. 1 and 2 picks from the previous month’s draft. Harper didn’t participate in the California Classic due to injury and also missed San Antonio’s opening game against the Philadelphia 76ers for the same reason. Harper is anticipated to return on Saturday and make his summer league debut. Typically, the highly anticipated matchup of the first day of the summer league involves the top draft picks. Instead, the league chose to add excitement by scheduling Flagg vs. Bronny James’ Lakers as the main event.
It’s widely known that Flagg struggled in his initial summer league appearance. He didn’t score a basket from the field in the second half and shot poorly, making only 5 of 21 attempts. One positive aspect of Flagg’s performance was his consistent ability to reach his desired spots in the mid-range area, although he couldn’t capitalize on those opportunities. Flagg did contribute a crucial play in the final two minutes by recording a notable block that led to Ryan Nembhard’s go-ahead 3-pointer, securing the win. All eyes will be on Flagg and Harper.
