Kobe Brown thought he deserved to get higher in the NBA draft, and he’s beginning to show why.
Brown, the final first-round pick in 30th overall, proves he has a chance to make an impression as a rookie with the Los Angeles Clippers after putting together one of the most complete series in Las Vegas. He had 35 points on seven 3-pointers as well as eight rebounds, four steals, three assists and two blocks in a 102-91 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.
Through four games the Missouri product named for former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant is averaging 17.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks and appears to be making a name for himself as a rotation player for the Clippers. The Clippers wrap up the summer on Sunday when they take on the Los Angeles Lakers.
“It feels great,” said the 1.90 meter small forward after his 35-point performance. “I am I am blessed to be in this position.”
Upon learning after the game that he had seven 3s, Brown seemed surprised and joked, “That’s more than I had at Mizzou.”
As a Tigers senior, Brown averaged 15.8 points per game.
With some of the top draft picks now sidelined or injured in Summer League, it has given other lower-draft players a chance to shine.
Denver forward Hunter Tyson, the lowest of the three drafted rookies in the Nuggets’ roster and ranked 37th overall, is one of those taking advantage.
The Clemson product had a tremendous game on Friday nightHe hit seven three-pointers and scored 31 points on an impressive 11-of-13 shot performance, leading the reigning NBA Champion Nuggets to a 112-81 win over the Miami Heat.
Tyson went into the Summer League seventh at the weekend, averaging 21.8 points per game in four competitions while shooting 58.3% from the field, including an impressive 51.7% from beyond the 3-point arc.
In the Summer League playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers meet the Brooklyn Nets on one semifinal Sunday, while the Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets meet on the other. The winners will play in the championship game on Monday night.
HORNETS 109, TIMBERWOLVES 102
Amari Bailey scored 17 points, putting him double digits ahead of five Charlotte players, and Kobi Simmons added 13 points and eight assists in a consolation game.
Nathan Mensah shot 6 of 7 from the field to end up scoring 14 points and Justin Robinson scored 13 for the Hornets (1-4). Trevon Scott added 10 points and seven rebounds, and James Nnaji also had 10 points with five blocks.
Javonte Cooke led Minnesota (1-4) with 16 points on 7 of 9 shots. Wendell Moore Jr. had 15 points, Josh Minott and Leonard Miller each added 13, and DJ Carton had 10 points and seven assists.
RAPTORS 108, WARRIORS 101
Joe Wieskamp scored 27 points on 8 of 11 shots and Gradey Dick added 21 points for Toronto in a consolation game against Golden State.
Markquis Nowell finished the game with 17 points and 12 assists for the Raptors (1-4). DJ Hogg scored 12 points.
Lester Quinones made four 3-pointers and hit 12 of 13 from the free throw line to end up with 32 points for Golden State (0-5). Trayce Jackson-Davis scored 18 points on 8 of 12 shots and grabbed 10 rebounds. Brandin Podziemski added 11 points, six rebounds and five assists.
KINGS 92, BUCKS 84
Jalen Slawson had 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists while Souley Boom added 15 points and helped Sacramento past Milwaukee in a consolation game.
Mike Daum added 14 points for the Kings (3-2), Alex O’Connell scored 12 and Aleem Ford 11.
Chris Livingston led the Bucks with 22 points and Craig Randall, who had just 6 of 22 from the field and 3 of 17 from 3-point range, added 20 points and eight assists.
BULLS 90, WIZARDS 85
Javon Freeman-Liberty had 24 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks, leading Chicago in a consolation game ahead of Washington.
Dalen Terry was 7-of-10 from the field and 4-of-5 from 3-point range, ending the game with 20 points for the Bulls (3-2). Adama Sanogo scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and Yago Dos Santos added 13 points, including four 3s.
Jules Bernard led the Wizards (2-3) with 17 points. Tristan Vukcevic scored 15 points, Donovan Williams 14 points and DJ Stewart 13 points.
Celts 94, magic 77
Vincent Bodon scored 13 points, Jordan Walsh and Reginald Kissoonlal each added 12, and Boston defeated Orlando in a consolation game.
Kamar Baldwin had 10 points and six assists for the Celtics (2-3). Justin Bean also scored 10 points.
Robert Baker led Orlando (0-5) with 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Elijah Hughes added 13 points. Quinndary Witherspoon and Amauri Hardy each scored 10 points.
NUGGETS 89, CUTS 86
Julian Strawther hit five 3-pointers and finished the game with 25 points and nine rebounds, Hunter Tyson scored 17 points, and Denver defeated New York in a consolation game.
Ismael Kamagate made 6 of 8 from the field and had 14 points and eight rebounds for the Nuggets (2-3). Jalen Pickett added 11 points and six assists.
QJ Peterson led New York by 25 points, but missed a potential tie runner from 3-point range at the buzzer, which expired. Michael Foster Jr. had 17 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. Trevor Keels added 15 points and Justyn Hamilton 11.
SUN’S 102, GRIZZLIE’S 79
Toumani Camara had 20 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks, and Eugene German had 18 points, helping Phoenix beat Memphis in a consolation game.
Hunter Hale shot 6 of 9 from the field, including four 3-pointers, to finish the game with 15 points for Phoenix (2-3). Jordan Usher added 13 points and five assists.
Tarik Biberovic and Aminu Mohammed led Memphis (2:3) with 13 points each. Timmy Allen scored 12 points.
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