Holmgren, Giddey lead Thunder over Magic in summer league

Published Jul. 11, 2022 11:46 p.m. ET

Associated Press

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Chet Holmgren, the No. 2 pick in the draft, had 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to an 84-81 victory over the Orlando Magic on Monday night in the Las Vegas Summer League.

Holmgren shot 7 of 10 in a game that was originally expected to be a matchup of the Nos. 1 and 2 picks. But the Magic announced earlier Monday that Paolo Banchero would not play the remainder of the summer after averaging 20 points, five rebounds and six assists in his two games in Las Vegas.

Josh Giddey added 12 points, seven rebounds and eight assists for the Thunder (1-1).

Holmgren, a 7-footer out of Gonzaga, did a little bit of everything, from bringing up the ball to anchoring the Oklahoma City defense. He threw down dunks, was 2 of 4 from 3-point range, blocked two shots and changed multiple more, but committed four turnovers.

Justin James led Orlando (2-1) with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Tommy Kuhse scored 14 points, Devin Cannady added 12 and Zavier Simpson had 11 points, seven assists and five steals. Emanuel Terry scored 10 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

ROCKETS 97, SPURS 84

Tari Eason had 22 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and two blocks, and Jabari Smith Jr. had 19 points and nine rebounds as Houston rallied from an 18-point deficit to beat San Antonio.

Josh Christopher scored 13 of his 18 points in the final six minutes as Houston (2-1) pulled away. Daishen Nix added 18 points, six assists and two steals for the Rockets.

San Antonio led 54-36 with 2 minutes left in the first half. Houston used a 16-5 run midway through the third quarter to take a 62-61 lead after Smith hit a 3-pointer.

Malaki Branham led San Antonio (0-3) with 20 points. Blake Wesley made just 3 of 20 from the field — 0 of 7 from 3-point range — but finished with 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Josh Primo (health and safety protocols) did not play for the Spurs.

CELTICS 111, BUCKS 109

Matt Ryan scored 23 points and hit six of Boston's 18 3-pointers — including a tightly contested running 3 with 0.8 seconds to play — and Boston stunned Milwaukee.

After Lindell Wigginton made two free throws to give the Bucks a one-point lead, Ryan took the inbounds pass, dribbled up the left sideline and went behind-the-back near midcourt and hit a straight-away 3 with the 6-foot-7 MarJon Beauchamp in his face. Ryan appeared to hurt his left ankle on the play and writhed in pain on the court before Wigginton missed a heave from beyond half court as time expired.

Mfiondu Kabengele had 15 points, 11 rebounds — including seven offensive — four assists and two blocks, while Brodric Thomas made 4 of 8 from 3-point range and finished with 14 points and eight rebounds for Boston (1-1). Juhann Begarin scored 13 points, Sam Hauser 12 and Justin Jackson added 10.

Milwaukee's Sandro Mamukelashvili had 28 points and nine rebounds. Wigginton added 24 points and Beauchamp scored 15.

PELICANS 101, HAWKS 73

Trey Murphy III, the No. 17 selection in the 2021 draft, had 30 points on 10-of-18 shooting and Daequan Plowden scored 16 to help New Orleans beat Atlanta.

Dyson Daniels, the Pelicans’ first-round draft pick (No. 8 overall), did not play because of an ankle injury.

Jared Harper made 9 of 12 from the free throw line and finished with 14 points and seven assists for the Pelicans (1-1). Tyrique Jones added 11 points, nine rebounds and four blocks.

AJ Griffin, the Hawks' No. 16 pick in the draft, did not play did not play due to discomfort in his right foot.

Chaundee Brown Jr. and Justin Tillman scored 14 points apiece for Atlanta (0-2).

The Hawks shot 31.7% (26 of 82) from the field and made 3 of 24 (12.5%) from 3-point range.

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