How to watch the 2025 NBA Summer League playoffs, a conclusion to the Vegas action

New York Times

5 days ago

'It feels like summer,' says one of our culture's reigning multi-hyphenates. It might sound like he's celebrating sunset flings and thick July heat, but the trained ear hears that it's really an NBA Summer League ballad about the greatness of Nique Clifford and Kon Knueppel. Do we have proof to back that up? Nope. Do we have the semifinal and final schedule for this weekend's Las Vegas action? Yes, yes we do.
ESPN broadcasts can also be streamed on ESPN+.
All four semifinalists went 4-0 in their Vegas slates. There were actually six undefeated teams in play, but two of them (Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks) missed the cut based on tiebreakers.
Saturday's first semifinal pits the Sacramento Kings against the Toronto Raptors. The Raps have a league-best plus-15.8 differential in their four wins. Lottery pick Collin Murray-Boyles has averaged 12.7 points on impressive 60.7 percent shooting, though the 3-ball isn't quite falling yet. The South Carolina wing is getting love for his defensive versatility and instincts in pick-and-roll. The Kings counter with a balanced attack; seven players scored in double figures during Wednesday's win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Clifford, the No. 24 pick in last month's draft, led the group in points (19), rebounds (7) and assists (9).
The second game pairs the incumbent NBA champions with arguably the league's most hapless franchise. Knueppel, the Duke standout, is now tasked with reviving the in-state Charlotte Hornets. The fourth overall selection has put together a three-game line of 13.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals. He looked controlled and confident in Monday's outing, a win over the Cooper Flagg-less Dallas Mavericks:
The Oklahoma City Thunder are wholly unconcerned with the Vegas proceedings after seizing the Larry O'Brien Trophy and minting a budding dynasty. Still, no one in the building will complain about inspired scrapping from their B-team prospects. Brooks Barnhizer got the Thunder to 4-0 with a 19-point, nine-board showing against the New Orleans Pelicans last time out. Better still, Nikola Topić, the 2024 No. 12 pick, has been throwing absolute dimes running summer league sets. He is averaging 7.3 assists in under 28 minutes per game, making his way back from the ACL tear that washed out his rookie season.
Saturday's two winners face off in Sunday's title game. It's certainly not too serious, but soak it in, as it's our last NBA run for a few months.
Most win shares for Raptors and Kings: DeMar DeRozan (54 TOR, 7.1 SAC)
Most win shares for Hornets and Thunder: Jeremy Lamb (15.7 CHA, 5.1 OKC)
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(Photo of Kon Knueppel: Ethan Miller / Getty Images)