The NBA Summer season League in Las Vegas has reached the semifinal stage, with 4 undefeated groups competing on Saturday for a spot in Sunday’s championship recreation. This yr’s occasion has featured rising stars, explosive scoring and hard-working gamers battling for his or her NBA futures.
With basketball futures hanging within the steadiness for a lot of gamers, Saturday’s doubleheader on the Thomas & Mack Middle gives two compelling matchups.
Let’s check out every semifinal showdown:
Semifinal 1: Sacramento Kings (4-0) vs. Toronto Raptors (4-0)
Time: 4 p.m. EST | TV: ESPN
Unfold (via ESPN Bet): Raptors -2.5 | Whole: 185.5
Sacramento has been one of the crucial environment friendly groups in Las Vegas. The Kings lead all Summer season League squads in three-point taking pictures at 38.8% and are averaging 95.3 factors per recreation. They’ve flown beneath the radar, however the numbers are arduous to disregard. Nique Clifford has led the best way, averaging 18.5 factors, 6.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists whereas impacting each space of the court docket. Clifford was the twenty fourth decide general within the 2025 NBA Draft.
On the opposite aspect, Toronto has taken a extra bodily strategy. The Raptors rank simply twenty first in three-point proportion (29.5%) however have relied on stress protection, rebounding and transition play to remain excellent. No. 9 general decide Collin Murray-Boyles has been spectacular, posting 20 factors and 9 rebounds in his most up-to-date outing, an 81-69 win over Golden State. Total, Toronto has thrived on effort and paint management.
What to observe: Will Sacramento’s exterior taking pictures and spacing create sufficient issues for Toronto’s protection? Or will the Raptors, led by Murray-Boyles, dominate the inside and pressure the Kings to play on their phrases?
Prediction: Kings advance
Semifinal 2: Charlotte Hornets (4-0) vs. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (4-0)
Time: 6 p.m. EST | TV: ESPN
Unfold (via ESPN Bet): Thunder -1.5 | Whole: 186.5
Charlotte enters because the second-highest-scoring workforce within the Summer season League, averaging 100.0 factors per recreation whereas taking pictures 36.4% from 3-point vary. The Hornets cruised on Thursday with a 106-81 win over the Spurs, showcasing ball motion and deep taking pictures with 15 made threes on 41.7% taking pictures from deep. KJ Simpson and No. 4 general decide Kon Knueppel every scored 19 factors within the blowout victory. Damion Baugh went 7-for-10 from the ground and added 18 factors off the bench.
Oklahoma Metropolis has additionally been dominant in Summer season League play. The Thunder have matched Sacramento’s 95.3 factors per recreation, although they haven’t shot as nicely from deep, changing simply 32.4% of their three-point makes an attempt. Nonetheless, they’ve gained each recreation by no less than 9 factors. The Thunder’s championship tradition has translated to their younger roster. Second-round decide Brooks Barnhizer led the workforce with 19 factors and 9 rebounds of their newest win, a 95-81 victory over a proficient Pelicans workforce.
What to observe: Charlotte desires to push the tempo and unfold the ground, whereas Oklahoma Metropolis will look to sluggish the tempo and win the bodily battles. The workforce that controls the sport’s rhythm will possible earn a spot within the last.
Prediction: Hornets advance
The winners of those semifinal video games will play for the championship on Sunday at 10 p.m. EST.
