NBA Summer League 2024: What are the best games to watch?

For the next 10 days basketball junkies and NBA front offices will have their hands full from as the 2K25 Summer League tips off from Las Vegas. The opening game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic is on Friday July 12th, and that will kick off a buffet of basketball that leads up to the Championship on July 22nd.

The Frenchman take Las Vegas

As always, we are much more interested in seeing the big names that were called in this spring’s NBA Draft than we are seeing who comes out as champion after the 10 days in Vegas. The next few days will be for fans of teams to see the next crop off talent coming to the league and for GMs to get an idea of who and who won’t be on the roster next year.

There is no Victor Wembanyama in this year’s draft class, and if we are being honest there aren’t a whole lot of phenoms in this year’s Summer League. While the hype may not match last year’s, there are some players that will be drawing an audience.

Bronny James has already began his NBA Summer League in the California Classic, and had a couple of underwhelming performances. He will certainly attract a crowd over the next few weeks as critics and fans alike will be tuning in to see who James is adjusting. There will be plenty of curiosity around Zaccharie Rishacher and Alex Sarr, two Frenchmen who went No. 1 and 2. While they were the top picks, they are relatively unknowns on this side of the pond.

Can’t miss matchups

July 12

Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 7:30 p.m. ET

We know what the people want. They want Bronny James. Like him or hate him, you want to see him. Bronny fans will be tuning in to root him on, while others will tune in with a bit more cynical motives. Either way, Bronny is going to attract a crowd. Don’t forget the Rockets have a lot of young talent and drafted Reed Sheppard with the 3rd pick in the draft. This will be our first chance to see the sharp shooting rookie out of Kentucky.

Atlanta Hawks vs. Washington Wizards, 9:30 p.m. ET

The NBA didn’t wait too long to set up a match up between No. 1 and No. 2 pick of the Draft just a coupe of weeks ago. Two Frenchmen, Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr are set for a head-to-head match up to kick off their NBA careers. While they don’t play the same position, they will forever be tied together after going 1st and 2nd in the draft respectively. This is one of the juiciest match ups of the entire Summer League.

July 13

San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 9:00 p.m. ET

No, Wemby won’t be playing in this year’s Summer League. I think he did enough last year to be secure with his spot on the Spur’s roster for the next season. That being said, the Spurs and Trail Blazers have a loaded crop of young talent, and this will be our first chance to see Stephon Castle in a Spurs jersey. National Champion Donovan Clingan will be making his debut for Portland as well.

July 14th

Chicago Bulls vs. Golden State Warriors 10:00 p.m. ET

I’ll admit, this may not be the most mouth watering match up in the Summer League’s slate, but I want to see Matas Buzelis play for the Bulls. I think this kid is going to be a star. He’s long, athletic and and shoot the rock, plus he’s a Chicago kid. The Warriors only made one pick in the draft, but they have a lot of players in their G League that they are expecting to become good players.

July 15th

Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ET

Anytime the Celtics and Lakers meet on the same court, basketball fans take notice. This will be the first bit of the Lakers-Celtics rivalry for Bronny James, and first round Celtics draft pick Baylor Scheierman who I am interested in seeing. The Celtics are a team that drafts very well, just look at Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Scheierman likes to shoot the three, so he should fit in just fine in Beantown.

July 16th

Washington Wizards vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 8:30 p.m. ET

The top two big men in the draft will go toe-to-toe in the post as the seven footer Alex Sarr meets Donovan Clingan. This will be interesting to see who is more prepared to make an immediate impact down low for their team, a Frenchman who has been playing professionally in Australia, or a home bread college star who helped lead his team to the NCAA back to back national titles.

July 17th

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Atlanta Hawks, 9:30 p.m. ET

Once again, Bronny will be on the court, so we will be paying attention. If you are getting a little tired of the Bronny talk, get used to it. It’s going to last for the entirety of next season. This game will also feature the first overall pick Zaccharie Risacher, but mentioning the 55th pick in the draft before the 1st pick in the draft should tell you everything you need to know about the state of this draft class and the impact Bronny is already having on the league.

July 18th

Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 6:00 p.m. ET

This game doesn’t feature Bronny, or any of the top five picks in the draft, but there are two guys that I am very interested in seeing. The Grizzlies took two time Player of the Year Zach Edey surprisingly high with the 9th pick, and I loved their selection. He’s got a great offensive game and can move up and down the floor for a giant. On the other side Yves Missi is a freak athlete that can provide an arial spectacle for the Pelicans. These are two big men to watch out for in the future.

July 19th

On the 19th teams will be playing for their Summer League lives. For some players it could be the final chance they get to impress scouts and GMs. For others it will be their last time on TV until the season starts next year. Either way, there are eight games before the knockout part of the competition starts, so tune in and watch all eight.