Summer League Games To Watch - Digits Weekly

Sometimes, it’s hard to watch every game of your favorite team. This is the case in both the NBA season and for Summer League. With that said, Digits is offering a guide for every team and the best game to view for your respective favorite team. Whatever game is listed for your team is the one where you should look to carve out time for. This will be listed in chronological order.

July 7th games:

Chicago Bulls -- 6:30 PM EST vs. Toronto Raptors

Bulls fans, let’s hope you’re reading this column early and as soon as it comes out because this game is only a few hours away. The Bulls’ schedule is quite frankly boring, but watching this game against the Raptors will give you your only opportunity to watch a 2023 lottery pick in Gradey Dick.

Houston Rockets -- 7:00 PM EST vs. Portland Trail Blazers

Rockets fans, please be reading this early too. This game goes beyond Amen Thompson, the #4 pick, and Scoot Henderson, the #3 pick. It includes Jabari Smith, Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason for your Rockets, and it also has the incredibly exciting Shaedon Sharpe (read this for why is he about to break out). There’s incredibly exciting names everywhere.

A talented Sharpe is looking to stand out from the pack this Summer League, despite playing on the same floor as a pair of lottery picks.

Charlotte Hornets & San Antonio Spurs -- 9:00 PM EST

These two teams will face each other, and if you’re a fan of either team, you can’t miss this game. Brandon Miller was disappointing in his California Classic games, but we should expect a bounceback. Charlotte also has Nick Smith Jr., Amari Bailey, Bryce McGowens, Kai Jones, and James Bouknight who all bring some intrigue. Of course, you’re watching this game because it’s the Summer League debut of #1 pick Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs are still a very fun team without Wembanyama, though, as Malaki Branham, Julian Champagnie, Blake Wesley all are intriguing and were very good in the California Classic.

Sacramento Kings -- 10:30 PM EST vs Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks have some quietly underrated intrigue to their Summer League roster with the duo of AJ Griffin and Kobe Bufkin, who can both be rotation players for the Hawks this coming season. The Kings schedule is rather lackluster, but this could be a fun game to watch.

July 8th games:

Boston Celtics -- 3:00 PM EST vs. Miami Heat

Celtics fans, you need to see which Heat player will score 30 points against you in 2026. Seriously though, these teams face each other all the time in the postseason now, and that may not be going away. If Nikola Jovic or Jaime Jaquez remains on the roster, they could be playing in a postseason series versus Boston, and any of the standout undrafted players make the roster, they could be facing Boston in a few years.

Dallas Mavericks -- 3:30 PM EST vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder are such a fun team to watch: Jalen Williams (if playing), Chet Holmgren, Jaylin Williams, Tre Mann, Cason Wallce. Regardless of anyone else, Mavs fans can look to see how their own lottery pick Dereck Lively II performs against the 2022 #2 selection Chet Holmgren.

Orlando Magic -- 5:30 PM EST vs. Detroit Pistons

This will be a star-studded match. In addition to Orlando’s duo of lottery picks in Anthony Black and Jett Howard, the Pistons will be trotting an amazing team out there. Jaden Ivey (read about his breakout potential here), Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren, Marcus Sasser, and even James Wiseman will all be playing for the Pistons. This will be a very fun watch.

Jaden Ivey is looking to have a breakout season for Detroit.

Washington Wizards -- 8:00 PM EST vs. Indiana Pacers

Let me clarify: Victor Wembanyama will likely not play three Summer League games, and the Spurs face the Wizards as the third game. That is why the Pacers are here. This Pacers team is really good too: Benedict Mathurin, Jarace Walker, and Andrew Nembhard make up one of the better big threes of the Summer League. Additionally, you Wizards fans can view Walker, who the Pacers selected with the pick that the Wizards traded in order to acquire Bilal Coulibaly.

July 9th games:

Los Angeles Lakers -- 4:00 PM EST vs. Charlotte Hornets

This will be the only opportunity for the Lakers to play a 2023 lottery pick, as they will face 2023 #2 pick Brandon Miller. As mentioned previously, they also have guys to watch like Nick Smith Jr., Amari Bailey, Bryce McGowens, Kai Jones, and James Bouknight. There will be a lot of high quality guards in this game when you include Jalen Hood-Schifino and Max Christie.

Detroit Pistons -- 6:00 PM EST vs. Houston Rockets

The Amen Thompson vs. Ausar Thompson matchup. The brothers will duel, but Pistons fans will also be able to watch Jabari Smith Jr., Cam Whitmore, and Tari Eason against their very own deep roster featuring Jaden Ivey (if playing), Jalen Duren, and Marcus Sasser. This game will be very, very fun.

Trail Blazers -- 8:00 PM EST vs. San Antonio Spurs

If Victor Wembanyama plays two games, that would be fantastic and means he’s here against the Trail Blazers to face Shaedon Sharpe (if playing) and Scoot Henderson. Even if Wembanyama isn’t playing, seeing Malaki Branham (if playing), Julian Champagine, and Blake Wesley are all entertaining and led the Spurs to a 2-0 record in the California Classic.

Atlanta Hawks -- 9:30 PM EST vs. Denver Nuggets

The Hawks schedule is boring and bad, simply. There are no great games to watch, but take the perspective as an NBA fan here: the Nuggets have multiple players who could be in their rotation next season as the title favorite: Peyton Watson, Julian Strawther, Jalen Pickett, Hunter Tyson. It could be enjoyable to watch these players play against lower competition.

July 10th games:

Cleveland Cavaliers -- 6:00 PM EST vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Take the same perspective as Hawks fans right above for this since the Cavs have a week schedule. With David Roddy, Kenneth Lofton, Jake LaRavia all being likely rotation players for the Grizzlies (hopeful contenders), it could be enjoyable to watch some very good talent. In addition, the Grizzlies found success in the Salt Lake City Summer League; they’re a good team.

Indiana Pacers -- 8:30 PM EST vs. Orlando Magic

This game will have a total of 3 2023 lottery picks. Anthony Black and Jett Howard were the 6th and 11th picks, while Jarace Walker went 8th. Caleb Houstan was also in the Magic rotation last year, so this makes a game with multiple NBA players on both sides, as the Pacers may also be trotting out Benedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard.

A pair of lottery picks in Black and Howard will be showcasing what they can offer the young Magic.

Minnesota Timberwolves -- 10:00 PM EST vs. Utah Jazz

The Jazz are the only option for Timberwolves fans to see a 2023 top 10 selection. Taylor Hendricks was this years’ 9th selection, but he isn’t the only guy to watch on Utah. Keyonte George has been quite good in the Salt Lake City Summer League, and they also have others such as Ochai Agbaji and Brice Sensabaugh. It’s a very fun team.

July 11th games:

Oklahoma City Thunder -- 6:30 PM EST vs. Houston Rockets

This game is going to be so, so fun. Not only is it full of talent with Chet Holmgren, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Cason Wallace, Tre Mann, Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason, and Jaylin Williams, but it is two Western Conference teams that are now beginning to enter the second phase of their rebuild and start to win now.

July 12th games:

Los Angeles Clippers -- 3:30 PM EST vs. Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies make another appearance here, but this reasoning makes a tad bit more sense. With the Grizzlies and Clippers both looking to win now, and with the Grizzlies having multiple players (David Roddy, Kenneth Lofton, Jake LaRavia) that could make an impact this season. Clippers fans should be on the lookout for them.

Despite being undersized, Lofton has shown that he has the skillset that belong in the NBA.

Toronto Raptors -- 6:00 PM EST vs. Detroit Pistons

Detroit is hands down the best team that Toronto will be facing. At this point, it’s likely Jaden Ivey won’t be playing in the Summer League. With that said, they should still have Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson, Marcus Sasser, and even other rotational players like Isaiah Livers and James Wiseman.

New York Knicks -- 8:00 PM EST vs. Orlando Magic

Similarly, Orlando is by far the most intriguing game for Knicks fans to watch. Anthony Black and Jett Howard are the two highest drafted players that New York will face, so viewing this game is an easy decision.

Denver Nuggets & Utah Jazz -- 9:30 PM EST

And similarly yet again, the Jazz are the clear-cut best team to watch for Nuggets fans. In addition to being a conference opponent, they’re quite talented: Taylor Hendricks, Keyonte George, Ochai Agbaji, Brice Sensabaugh, and even players like Luka Samanic and Johnny Juzang. Talent is across the board. For the Jazz, their schedule is quite disappointing considering their roster talent. Still, they can look at a Western Conference foe and see if any of Peyton Watson, Julian Strawther, and Jalen Pickett find their way into rotational minutes.

July 13th games:

Philadelphia 76ers -- 3:30 PM EST vs. Atlanta Hawks

The 76ers schedule is not too good. Still, the Hawks actually have some intrigue to them. AJ Griffin and Kobe Bufkin are a pair of top 16 picks from the last two drafts that should both be fun to watch. In addition, the Hawks are a team trying (emphasis on trying) to win now, just as Philly is. Philly fans can get a look at two players who should be in the Hawks rotation this year.

Brooklyn Nets -- 5:00 PM EST vs. Toronto Raptors

The Nets have an underwhelming schedule too, and their only matchup against a 2023 lottery pick is against Gradey Dick and company. The Raptors have a few other names that have some intrigue, including Ron Harper Jr., Moses Brown, and Joe Wieskamp.

Miami Heat & Milwaukee Bucks -- 5:30 PM EST

With neither team having incredible schedules, this is the standout game for both sides. The Heat won’t be seeing any top-end competition, but it would be nice to get a look at MarJon Beauchamp, who should comfortably find a spot in the Bucks rotation this season. As for why Bucks fans should view Miami, it’s the same reason that it was for the Celtics: if Nikola Jovic or Jaime Jaquez remain on the roster, they’re players that Bucks fans are going to want to watch. Additionally, any undrafted player from Miami can come out of the blue, so it’s fun to watch the Heat for that reason too.

After going back and forth with the Wisconsin Herd last season, Beauchamp is looking to solidify his spot with Milwaukee this year.

Golden State Warriors -- 7:00 PM EST vs. Houston Rockets

This is by far the Warriors’ best game to watch. The Rockets, as mentioned before, are uber-talented with Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Cam Whitmore, and Tari Eason all running the show for Houston. This will undoubtedly be the most fun game to watch, as Thompson and Whitmore are absolute transition demons.

New Orleans Pelicans -- 7:30 PM EST vs. Charlotte Hornets

Like was the case for the Los Angeles Lakers, the Hornets are the most intriguing team that the Pelicans play with #2 selection Brandon Miller. Check out either the Spurs or Lakers analysis for more on the Hornets.

July 14th games:

Memphis Grizzlies -- 10:30 PM EST vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The Grizzlies don’t have an amazing Summer League schedule, but this game against the Lakers could be quite interesting. The Lakers are looking to win now just like the Grizzlies, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Max Christie get rotation minutes this season. Both are Western Conference teams too, which makes this interesting.

Phoenix Suns -- 11:00 PM EST vs. Utah Jazz

The Suns’ schedule is quite boring for the first three games, but this closing game against the Jazz gives Suns fans a chance to see three 2023 first round picks in action. For more on the Jazz, check out the Timberwolves or Nuggets analysis.
Charlie Spungin , NBA Analyst

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