2023 NBA Summer League matchups: Who plays who this weekend?

The NBA Summer League is in it’s final stages, but we still have a chance to get one last glimpse at some of the stars of the tournament before a champion is crowned on Monday night.

Before 2013 there were no champions named in the Summer League, but the NBA chose to install a bit more of a competitive feel to the tournament. Let’s not be mistaken, the focus is still on evaluating talent, but in the end this is sports. Everyone wants to win, but the Summer League is kind of like the NFL Preseason. There are other priorities more important than wins and losses.

Sure Victor Wembanyama isn’t playing anymore, but there is still some star power left, and there are still plenty of juicy matchups leading to the title game on Monday night.

Friday:

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Washington Wizards

One of the stars of the Summer League has been Chet Holmgren has been itching to get back into the spotlight after missing his rookie season with a Lisfranc injury. There was speculation that he wasn’t going to play on Wednesday night but he played 30 minutes scoring 25 points, grabbing 9 boards and blocking 5 shots including this monster of a stuff.

If Chet sits we will most likely get a chance to see Bilal Coulibaly for the Wizards. He was the 7th pick in the draft and has been putting up decent numbers, but has been impressive on the defensive end.

Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets

This is a special game simple because these two teams met a little over a month ago in the NBA Finals. The steaks are lower, the stars are at home, but there are a few youngsters to keep an eye on in this game.

Miami’s Jaime Jaquez and Nikola Jovic have been good but Orlando Robinson has been the best big man in the Summer League.

Rookie big man Julian Strawther has been the man for Denver, showing he can be a reliable back up for Nikola Jokic once the season starts.

Detroit Pistons vs. San Antonio Spurs

Okay, Okay, Okay there will be no Victor Wembanyama, but it doesn’t matter. Julian Champagne will still be around, and the undrafted rookie has been playing some good minutes.

Ausar Thompson will be on the other side of the court, and he had a solid bounce back game Summer 17 and grabbing 9 rebounds after scoring just 7 points in his debut.

Saturday:

Hard to say who will be playing on Saturday because they games on Friday will have to finish so the standings can be set for the semifinals. There will be seven games on Saturday and eight games the following day.

Sunday:

Sunday will be another jam packed day, featuring eight games from the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavillion. The Semifinals will be played at 4:00 p.m. ET and 6:00 p.m. ET.

Monday:

There is just one game on Monday night and it will be the title game to be played at 9:00 p.m. ET from the Thomas & Mack Center.