Player grades: Summer Sixers end Salt Lake City with win over Grizzlies
Once again playing without No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe who remains day-to-day with a left thumb contusion, as well as Adem Bona who was resting, the summer Sixers buckled down defensively and found a rhythm on offense to walk away with a 91-90 win over the Grizzlies. Justin Edwards was able to put together a solid night with 15 points and two steals.
Judah Mintz led the way for Philadelphia with 26 points, three assists, and three steals, rookie Johni Broome had eight points, 12 rebounds, five of them on the offensive end, and two blocks, while Hunter Sallis added 11 off the bench. Jalen Slawson had seven points and Jalen Hood-Schifino had seven and seven assists.
Here are the player grades following a summer league win:
Justin Edwards: B-plus
The Sixers have been waiting for Edwards to find his rhythm on the offensive end. He was able to get himself some looks off the dribble and get into the paint which created opportunities for him. He was also efficient with his 3-pointers which was an issue in the first two games. Something that has been a problem thus far in the summer league—which has hampered Edwards a bit—is a lack of spacing and the lack of a sure ball-handler for this Sixers roster.
Johni Broome: B-plus
The rookie big man just played some winning basketball in this one. He was very good defensively as he was in the right spots all night long. He was constantly in the right spots to deter shots and made the right rotations on the drivers of the Grizzlies. Offensively, he was a bit slow to read the double teams, but when he was able to find a crease, he took advantage of it. He has a soft touch around the basket and is an underrated passer. He's also a relentless rebounder which is a big help for a team like the Sixers that can struggle on the glass at times.
Hunter Sallis: B
After a quiet summer league debut, Sallis had some big highlights in this one. He drove the lane and had a poster slam, knocked down a tough 3, and then ran the floor for a layup. He flashed some poise on the offensive end, and he has some NBA-level athleticism that should earn him a look at some point in the 2025-26 season.
Judah Mintz: A
One thing's for sure about Mintz: he can put the ball in the basket. He has an aggressive nature and he did a good job of getting into the paint in this one and being able to get the scoreboard moving and was able to get to the line a lot in this one. He has taken full advantage of the opportunity in front of him with Edgecombe out and one has to wonder if he will get a look from an NBA team—even if it isn't the Sixers. He made some huge plays down the stretch for the Sixers to close this one out.
Jalen Hood-Schifino: B
A problem for Hood-Schifino thus far in the summer league has been handling pressure from opponents. He did a much better job of that in this one as the Sixers were able to find some type of rhythm on the offensive end. He was good with his passing and took care of the ball.
Jalen Slawson: C-plus
An aggressive player, Slawson was able to get a look as a starter in this one and he had a rim-rattling slam in the early going. The big man out of Furman made some hustle plays on the defensive end of the floor and helped Philadelphia get out in transition.
Izan Almanza
There is a lot to like about Almanza. With the Sixers on an Exhibit 10 deal, he has a lot of size and skill which allows him to make plays from the wing with ease. He has a smooth game and did some good things off the bench for Philadelphia in this one.
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