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Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Thunder vs Grizzlies recap: Nikola Topić debuts for OKC in NBA Summer League opener
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change. The Nikola Topić era of Thunder basketball is almost here. After sitting out last season due to a knee injury, Topic will make his NBA Summer League debut Saturday when the Thunder opens its three-game stand in Salt Lake City against the Grizzlies at 6 p.m. Saturday. Advertisement The 6-foot-6 Serbian guard averaged 15.1 points and 5.9 assists per game with Crvena zvezda in the Adriatic League when he last played competitive basketball in the 2023-24 season. Topić suffered a partially torn ACL in his left knee nearly two months before the 2024 NBA Draft, where he fell from a projected top-five pick to No. 12 overall to the Thunder. 'We've seen this before, where somebody has a year where they can just focus on getting their feet underneath them as an NBA player, working on their body, learning the league,' Thunder general manager Sam Presti said during his offseason news conference June 30. 'I think he's made great strides during this period of time.' Here what you need to know about the Thunder-Grizzlies game: Advertisement Pre-order our new book on the Thunder's road to NBA Finals REQUIRED READING: Thunder GM Sam Presti says Nikola Topić 'made great strides' ahead of NBA Summer League Thunder vs Grizzlies live score updates in NBA Summer League Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. More: NBA Summer League 2025: OKC Thunder roster, schedule and everything else to know Final: Grizzlies 92, Thunder 80 | Nikola Topic scores 14 points in debut, but Memphis beats OKC Jaylen Wells and GG Jackson each scored 20 points Saturday to lead the Grizzlies to a 92-80 win over the Thunder in their Salt Lake City Summer League opener. Advertisement Nikola Topic's first game in a Thunder uniform had flashes of brilliance (14 points, four assists and two steals) and areas for improvement (seven turnovers, four fouls). Ajay Mitchell led the way for OKC with 24 points and six assists. The Thunder committed 23 turnovers in 40 minutes. Up next for the Thunder in Salt Lake Summer League play is a 6 p.m. Monday game against the 76ers. More: Nikola Topić, Ajay Mitchell shine for OKC Thunder in NBA Summer League loss vs Grizzlies End third quarter: Grizzlies 72, Thunder 62 | Memphis closes on 9-2 run to extend lead on Ajay Mitchell, OKC Jaylen Wells (20 points) and GG Jackson (13 points) keep rolling for the Grizzlies. Advertisement Brooks Barnhizer, the Thunder's second-round pick two weeks ago, is up to 12 points and seven points. Nikola Topic made another 3-pointer in the third quarter and is up to 14 points on 6-for-12 shooting. Ajay Mitchell has 18 points to lead the Thunder. Halftime: Grizzlies 45, Thunder 40 | Jaylen Wells, Nikola Topic shining in return from injuries It didn't take long for Jaylen Wells to shake off any rust he had after breaking his wrist in April. Wells has 12 points on 3-for-7 shooting with two rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Grizzlies at halftime. GG Jackson, who made the All-NBA Rookie second team in the 2023-24 season before suffering a foot injury that limited him last year, has seven points for Memphis. Advertisement Ajay Mitchell keeps showing why he was a hidden gem in the 2024 draft. The second-round pick out of UC Santa Barbara is leading the Thunder with 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting. Nikola Topic is up to seven points, three assists and two steals for OKC in 13 minutes. Brooks Barnhizer and Mady Sissoko each have seven rebounds for the Thunder. End first quarter: Grizzlies 19, Thunder 18 | Nikola Topic makes his Thunder debut in NBA Summer League Nikola Topić showcased some smart defense getting in passing lanes in his first taste of live NBA action with the Thunder. After the first quarter in Salt Lake City, Topić had two points on 1-for-4 shooting, two steals and three turnovers. Advertisement Ajay Mitchell scored nine points on 3-for-7 shooting to lead the way for OKC. Playing for the first time since breaking his wrist in April, guard Jaylen Wells scored eight points to lead the way for the Grizzlies. More: Thunder GM Sam Presti says Nikola Topić 'made great strides' ahead of NBA Summer League Starting lineups for Thunder vs Grizzlies in Salt Lake City Summer League opener Thunder: Nikola Topic, Ajay Mitchell, Brooks Barnhizer, Malevy Leons, Mady Sissoko Grizzlies: Zyon Pullin, Cam Spencer, Jaylen Wells, GG Jackson II, Armando Bacot What time is Thunder vs Grizzlies game today in NBA Summer League? Date: Saturday, July 5 Time: 6 p.m. CT Where: Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City Advertisement The Thunder vs Grizzlies game starts at 6 p.m. CT Saturday from Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City. More: OKC Thunder NBA free agency 2025: Tracking latest trade rumors, updates around NBA Where to watch Thunder vs Grizzlies in NBA Summer League TV: ESPNU, FDSN Oklahoma Livestream: Fubo (here's how to stream it live) The Thunder vs Grizzlies game will be broadcast on ESPNU and Fan Duel Sports Network Oklahoma. It can be streamed on Fubo and ESPN+. How long are quarters in NBA Summer League play? NBA Summer League games are comprised of four 10-minute quarters instead of usual 12-minute quarters. More: Thunder mailbag: Will Nikola Jokic, Nuggets be OKC's biggest threat in the West? Advertisement Thunder 2025 NBA Summer League roster Player, No., Pos., Ht., Wt., College/Previous team More: OKC Thunder signs 2025 NBA Draft picks Thomas Sorber, Brooks Barnhizer Thunder 2025 NBA Summer League schedule All times Central Salt Lake City Summer League Saturday, July 5: OKC vs. Memphis at 6 p.m. (ESPNU) Monday, July 7: OKC vs. Philadelphia at 6 p.m. (ESPN) Tuesday, July 8: OKC vs. Utah at 8 p.m. (NBA TV) Las Vegas Summer League Thursday, July 10: OKC vs. Brooklyn at 4:30 p.m. (ESPN2) Saturday, July 12: OKC vs. Indiana at 4:30 p.m. (NBA TV) Tuesday, July 15: OKC vs. Orlando at 5:30 p.m. (NBA TV) Wednesday, July 16: OKC vs. New Orleans at 8:30 p.m. (NBA TV) More: Could OKC Thunder be put up for sale 'soon'? Answering key questions about NBA ownership Thunder vs Grizzlies highlights in NBA Summer League Tweets by okcthunder We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage. Advertisement This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Grizzlies beat Thunder, Nikola Topić in NBA Summer League opener
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jaylen Wells, GG Jackson among Memphis Grizzlies players on summer league roster
The Memphis Grizzlies announced their summer league roster on July 4, and it includes some familiar names. Jaylen Wells, Cam Spencer and GG Jackson are among the returning Grizzlies players included on the roster. Rookies Cedric Coward, Javon Small and Jahmai Mashack are also listed. Advertisement Mashack's availability is pending an NBA trade that hasn't been finalized. Small is expected to play, but Memphis may be without its first round pick. Coward is doubtful to play in summer league, a Grizzlies spokesperson told The Commercial Appeal. He continues to rehab a shoulder injury that limited him to six games last season at Washington State. After being acquired by the Grizzlies with No. 11 overall pick, Coward told media that he feels ready, but the decision would ultimately be up to his medical team. Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman said that Coward had on only done 1-on-0 drills, so the team would need to see him in 5-on-5 full contact workouts to fully clear him. Center Will Magnay is also questionable to play due to a wrist injury. The Grizzlies will begin summer league action in Salt Lake City on July 5 against the Oklahoma City Thunder (6 p.m., ESPNU). Advertisement After three games in Utah, Memphis will then head to Las Vegas for four more games, beginning July 11. Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies summer league roster includes Jaylen Wells, GG Jackson
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Three takeaways from Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies' summer league win vs OKC Thunder
The Memphis Grizzlies opened up summer league action and got off to a strong start on July 5. GG Jackson and Jaylen Wells combined for 40 points, leading the Grizzlies to a 92-80 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Advertisement Memphis was shorthanded, but it had enough firepower to pull out the victory. The Grizzlies ramped up the defensive intensity and held OKC to 7-for-23 shooting on 3-pointers. Jackson and Wells each scored 20 points to lead the Grizzlies. Here are three takeaways from the summer league win. A new and improved Jaylen Wells Wells wanted an expanded role in the summer, and he got that against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Wells was a ball handler in pick-and-roll situations and took advantage early. While his playmaking still needs work, he showed potential and got reps that he didn't get much during his rookie season. Advertisement Wells finished the game with 20 points, four rebounds and three assists. He also hounded opponents with ball pressure on defense, further ensuring his role as a defensive stopper. Cam Spencer, GG Jackson impressions While Wells was already an expected contributor in Memphis, Jackson and Cam Spencer both entered summer league action with something to prove. Jackson did so by producing a strong scoring effort. The key for Jackson will be efficiency. He's proven that he can score, but sometimes the volume of shots is not conducive to what Memphis wants. That wasn't the case against the Thunder. Spencer is known for his 3-point shooting, but his full offensive game was on display against OKC. He finished with 14 points and added five assists. His ability to contribute without relying on 3-pointers will unlock his game to new levels. Advertisement First look at Javon Small Cedric Coward didn't play while he continues to nurse a shoulder injury, and Jahmai Mashack is out while a pending trade finalizes, but Memphis fans did get to see one of its three draft acquisitions. Javon Small made his debut against the Thunder. Small came off the bench but still produced a team-high six assists in 19 minutes to go with four points. His scoring and defense were notable strengths through the draft process, but he said he believes he's an underrated playmaker. Through one game, he's proving himself right. What's next Memphis will get a day off before returning to Salt Lake City summer league action on Monday against the Utah Jazz. Advertisement Many of the players who participated against OKC should be expected to play. Mashack's trade could be completed by July 7, which would clear the way for his summer league debut. Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies summer league highlights, stats vs OKC Thunder
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Memphis Grizzlies need more than small sample size of Cam Spencer's shooting ability
The May accolades started to accumulate, a sign the Memphis Grizzlies put together another strong NBA draft class the prior summer. Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey both finished in the top five in the NBA Rookie of the Year voting, and both were named first-team All-Rookie. The Grizzlies have had a member on the All-Rookie team in five of the past seven seasons. Advertisement Lost in the shuffle of the terrific 2024 class was another second-round pick who is looking to certify his positioning. Cam Spencer has a big summer ahead, and there's reason to believe the Grizzlies are confident that he can become a more reliable option in Year 2. Memphis wants to put more players it refers to as "dogs" around the core players. General manager Zach Kleiman pointed out Wells, Edey and Scotty Pippen Jr. as players who fit that mold. Then he named someone who appeared in just 25 games. "Cam Spencer is a Grizzly bear," Kleiman said. "Cam Spencer's got that in spades. I think he's got a bright future, too." The Cam Spencer arc Spencer's rookie season didn't get off to a typical start. After an encouraging performance in summer league, he started preseason camp with a severe ankle injury. That sidelined him until Nov. 20, when he finally made his season debut. Advertisement A string of sporadic performances followed until Spencer was injured in January, and he did not play again until March. However, it was one of those March performances that have the Grizzlies eager to see what Spencer can do in his second season. He provided a major spark on March 10 in a 120-118 win against the Phoenix Suns, making four 3-pointers and scoring 16 points while also trash-talking with future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant. Because Spencer was on a two-way contract, he was ineligible for the playoffs, and he didn't receive much playing time for the remainder of the season. A role for the taking The Grizzlies drafted Spencer in part because they believed he was one of the top shooters available in the NBA draft, the same reason they had traded for Luke Kennard in 2023. Advertisement With Kennard entering free agency, Memphis has a shooting void to fill, and the answer already might be on the roster. Spencer shot 35.8% on 3-pointers this season, but he did so in an irregular role. More consistent minutes should yield more accurate results. Kennard wasn't always the most aggressive shooter despite being one of the league's most accurate marksmen. Spencer could jump right in and excel if he displays an ability to be accurate as well as aggressive as a shooter. Summer league The first test for Spencer will come in summer league. Wells, Edey and GG Jackson are among the Grizzlies players interested in suiting up for games this summer. Spencer teaming up with those players will be a good gauge as to how his aggressiveness can translate to the regular season. Advertisement If the G League was any indication, Spencer won't be hesitant. In eight games between the Tip-Off Tournament and Memphis Hustle regular season, he averaged 23.5 points and attempted 9.1 3-pointers per game, making 49.3% of them. Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies' Cam Spencer could carve role with outside shooting
National Post
20-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Stephon Castle unanimous NBA All-Rookie first team pick, Raptors' Jamal Shead earns votes
Stephon Castle gets one more accolade from his rookie season: The San Antonio guard was the only unanimous first-team selection on the All-Rookie team. Article content Castle — the league's rookie of the year — was the only player to get first team votes from all 100 members of the global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters who cast ballots to decide most of the NBA's annual awards. Article content He was joined on the first team by Atlanta's Zaccharie Risacher (who was one vote away from unanimous status), Memphis teammates Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey, and Washington's Alex Sarr. Article content The second-team selections were Miami's Kel'el Ware, Chicago's Matas Buzelis, New Orleans' Yves Missi, Portland's Donovan Clingan and Washington's Bub Carrington. Article content Edey (73 first-team votes, 27 second-team votes) joined Castle and Risacher as the only players to appear somewhere on all 100 ballots. Wells was on 99 ballots, Sarr was on 96 and Ware was on 94. Article content Utah's Isaiah Collier was one point shy of tying Carrington for the final spot on the second team. Article content Others receiving votes included Utah's Kyle Filipowski, Detroit's Ron Holland II, the Los Angeles Lakers' Dalton Knecht, Phoenix's Ryan Dunn, Philadelphia's Jared McCain, Golden State's Quinten Post, Toronto's Jamal Shead, Orlando's Tristan da Silva, Minnesota's Rob Dillingham, Philadelphia's Justin Edwards, Washington's Kyshawn George and Houston's Reed Sheppard. Article content
