The NBA Summer League Schedule
The NBA Summer League is a highly anticipated event, providing basketball enthusiasts with a glimpse of emerging talent and future stars. This annual event features a series of games where rookies, second-year players, and unsigned free agents showcase their skills. Understanding the NBA Summer League schedule is crucial for fans and analysts who follow the progression of these young athletes. In this article, we delve deep into the schedule, offering comprehensive insights to help you stay informed.
The 2024 NBA Draft has come and gone, and while there may have been a lack of star power at the top, everyone is excited to see the new class of prospects hit the court. That includes No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher, who was one of four Frenchmen to go in the first round. Other notable players that will soon hit the court include Alex Sarr, Reed Sheppard, former UConn teammates Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan, Zach Edey, and Bronny James.
Once again, there will be three separate Summer League setups this year: the California Classic from July 6-10, the Salt Lake City Summer League from July 8-10, and the primary Las Vegas Summer League, which will feature all 30 teams from July 12-22.
Ahead of all the action, here’s the full schedule and viewing information for every single game over the two-plus weeks. Full rosters for each team will be released in the coming days.
Structure and Format of the NBA Summer League
The NBA Summer League typically consists of several mini-tournaments held in different locations, most notably in Las Vegas, Sacramento, and Salt Lake City. Each tournament follows a round-robin format, culminating in a playoff to determine the champion. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:
1. Las Vegas Summer League
The Las Vegas Summer League is the most prominent, featuring all 30 NBA teams. Held at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion, it spans over 10 days. Each team plays a minimum of five games, with the top teams advancing to the playoffs.
2. Sacramento Summer League
Also known as the California Classic, the Sacramento Summer League includes four NBA teams. Held over a four-day period, it offers a more intimate setting for fans to watch emerging talent.
3. Salt Lake City Summer League
The Salt Lake City Summer League, or Utah Jazz Summer League, features four to six teams and takes place over three days. This event allows teams to evaluate talent in a competitive environment before the Las Vegas tournament.
Key Dates and Matchups
Understanding the key dates and matchups in the NBA Summer League schedule is essential for fans planning to follow the action. Here are the crucial dates for the 2024 Summer League:
Las Vegas Summer League
- Opening Day: July 12, 2024
- Championship Game: July 22, 2024
Sacramento Summer League (California Classic)
- Opening Day: July 6, 2024
- Final Day: July 10, 2024
Salt Lake City Summer League
- Opening Day: July 8, 2024
- Final Day: July 10, 2024
California Classic Schedule
Saturday, July 6
- Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings 2, 4:30 p.m. — ESPN
- Miami Heat vs. Golden State Warriors, 6:30 p.m. — ESPN
- Charlotte Hornets vs. San Antonio Spurs, 8:30 p.m. — NBA TV
- Chinese National Team vs. Sacramento Kings 1, 10:30 p.m. — NBA TV
Sunday, July 7
- Miami Heat vs. Sacramento Kings 2, 4:30 p.m. — NBA TV
- Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors, 6:30 p.m. — NBA TV
- Chinese National Team vs. Charlotte Hornets, 8 p.m. — ESPN 2
- San Antonio Spurs vs. Sacramento Kings 1, 10 p.m. — ESPN 2
Tuesday, July 9
- San Antonio Spurs vs. Chinese National Team, 8 p.m. — NBA TV
- Charlotte Hornets vs. Sacramento Kings 1, 10 p.m. — NBA TV
Wednesday, July 10
- Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 7 p.m. — ESPN 2
- Sacramento Kings 2 vs. Golden State Warriors, 10 p.m. — NBA TV
Salt Lake City Summer League Schedule
Monday, July 8
- Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 7 p.m. — ESPN
- Memphis Grizzlies vs. Utah Jazz, 9 p.m. — ESPN
Tuesday, July 9
- Memphis Grizzlies vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 7 p.m. — ESPN
- Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz, 9 p.m. — ESPN 2
Wednesday, July 10
- Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 7 p.m. — NBA TV
- Philadelphia 76ers vs. Utah Jazz, 9 p.m. — ESPN 2
Las Vegas Summer League Schedule
Friday, July 12
- Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic, 4 p.m. — NBA TV
- New Orleans Pelicans vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 5 p.m. — ESPN 2
- Sacramento Kings vs. Memphis Grizzlies, 6 p.m. — NBA TV
- Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 7:30 p.m. — ESPN
- Brooklyn Nets vs. Indiana Pacers, 8 p.m. — NBA TV
- Atlanta Hawks vs. Washington Wizards, 9:30 p.m. — ESPN
- Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers, 10 p.m. — NBA TV
Saturday, July 13
- Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls, 4:30 p.m. — NBA TV
- Charlotte Hornets vs. New York Knicks, 5 p.m. — ESPN 2
- Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics, 6:30 p.m. — NBA TV
- Detroit Pistons vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 7 p.m. — ESPN 2
- Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Toronto Raptors, 8:30 p.m. — NBA TV
- San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 9 p.m. — ESPN 2
- Utah Jazz vs. Dallas Mavericks, 10:30 p.m. — NBA TV
- Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors, 11 p.m. — ESPN 2
Sunday, July 14
- Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 3:30 p.m. — NBA TV
- Brooklyn Nets vs. Los Angeles Clippers, 4 p.m. — TBD
- Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Indiana Pacers, 5:30 p.m. — NBA TV
- Houston Rockets vs. Washington Wizards, 6 p.m. — ESPN 2
- Orlando Magic vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 7:30 p.m. — NBA TV
- San Antonio Spurs vs. Atlanta Hawks, 8 p.m. — ESPN 2
- Denver Nuggets vs. Toronto Raptors, 9:30 p.m. — NBA TV
- Chicago Bulls vs. Golden State Warriors, 10 p.m. — ESPN 2
Monday, July 15
- Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat, 6 p.m. — ESPN U
- Detroit Pistons vs. Houston Rockets, 6:30 p.m. — NBA TV
- Dallas Mavericks vs. Memphis Grizzlies, 8 p.m. — ESPN U
- Portland Trail Blazers vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 8:30 p.m. — NBA TV
- Utah Jazz vs. Sacramento Kings, 10 p.m. — ESPN U
- Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 10:30 p.m. — NBA TV
Tuesday, July 16
- Indiana Pacers vs. Phoenix Suns, 4 p.m. — ESPN U
- New York Knicks vs. Brooklyn Nets, 4:30 p.m. — NBA TV
- Charlotte Hornets vs. Denver Nuggets, 6 p.m. — ESPN 2
- Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons, 6:30 p.m. — NBA TV
- Philadelphia 76ers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 8 p.m. — ESPN 2
- Washington Wizards vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 8:30 p.m. — NBA TV
- Los Angeles Clippers vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 10 p.m. — ESPN 2
- New Orleans Pelicans vs. San Antonio Spurs, 10:30 p.m. — NBA TV
Wednesday, July 17
- Miami Heat vs. Dallas Mavericks, 3 p.m. — ESPN 2
- Sacramento Kings vs. New York Knicks, 3:30 p.m. — NBA TV
- Toronto Raptors vs. Utah Jazz, 5 p.m. — ESPN 2
- Boston Celtics vs. Charlotte Hornets, 5:30 p.m. — NBA TV
- Memphis Grizzlies vs. Orlando Magic, 7 p.m. — TBD
- Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 7:30 p.m. — NBA TV
- Los Angeles Lakers vs. Atlanta Hawks, 9:30 p.m. — ESPN
- Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 10 p.m. — NBA TV
Thursday, July 18
- Indiana Pacers vs. Denver Nuggets, 4:30 p.m. — ESPN 2
- Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 6 p.m. — NBA TV
- Washington Wizards vs. Sacramento Kings, 7 p.m. — ESPN
- Orlando Magic vs. Brooklyn Nets, 8 p.m. — NBA TV
- Los Angeles Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 9 p.m. — ESPN
- Los Angeles Clippers vs. Utah Jazz, 10 p.m. — NBA TV
- Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Houston Rockets, 11 p.m. — ESPN
Friday, July 19
- Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns, 4 p.m. — NBA TV
- Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics, 4:30 p.m. — ESPN U
- Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls, 6 p.m. — NBA TV
- New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons, 7 p.m. — ESPN
- Philadelphia 76ers vs. San Antonio Spurs, 8:30 p.m. — NBA TV
- Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat, 9 p.m. — TBD
- Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 10:30 p.m. — NBA TV
- Portland Trail Blazers vs. Charlotte Hornets, 11 p.m. — ESPN 2
Saturday, July 20
- TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m. — NBA TV
- TBD vs. TBD, 4 p.m. — ESPN
- TBD vs. TBD, 5 p.m. — NBA TV
- TBD vs. TBD, 6 p.m. — ESPN
- TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. — NBA TV
- TBD vs. TBD, 9 p.m. — NBA TV
- TBD vs. TBD, 11 p.m. — NBA TV
Sunday, July 21
- TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. — ESPN
- TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m. — NBA TV
- TBD vs. TBD, 4 p.m. — ESPN
- TBD vs. TBD, 5 p.m. — NBA TV
- TBD vs. TBD, 6:30 p.m. — ESPN U
- TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. — NBA TV
- TBD vs. TBD, 8:30 p.m. — ESPN U
- TBD vs. TBD, 9 p.m. — NBA TV
Monday, July 22
- TBD vs. TBD, 9 p.m. — ESPN
Top Teams and Players to Watch
The NBA Summer League is a platform for showcasing new talent. Here are some of the top teams and players to keep an eye on:
1. Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons have a young, promising roster. Keep an eye on their recent draft picks, who are expected to make a significant impact.
2. Houston Rockets
The Rockets have invested heavily in young talent. Their performance in the Summer League will be crucial in evaluating their prospects for the upcoming NBA season.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
With a plethora of draft picks, the Thunder are a team to watch. Their Summer League performance will provide insights into how their young roster is shaping up.
Why the NBA Summer League Matters
The NBA Summer League is more than just a series of exhibition games. It serves several critical functions:
1. Player Development
For rookies and young players, the Summer League is an opportunity to adjust to the pace and physicality of the NBA. It’s a vital step in their development, offering real-game experience that can’t be replicated in practice.
2. Scouting and Evaluation
Teams use the Summer League to scout talent and make roster decisions. Performance in these games can determine whether a player earns a spot on the team or is assigned to the G League.
3. Fan Engagement
The Summer League offers fans a unique opportunity to see their team’s future stars in action. It’s a chance to get excited about the upcoming season and see how new players fit into the team’s system.
How to Follow the NBA Summer League
Staying updated on the NBA Summer League schedule and results is essential for fans and analysts. Here are some ways to follow the action:
1. Official NBA Website and App
The NBA’s official website and app provide comprehensive coverage, including schedules, scores, and player statistics.
2. Social Media
Follow the NBA and team accounts on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for real-time updates, highlights, and behind-the-scenes content.
3. Sports Networks
Major sports networks, such as ESPN and NBA TV, broadcast Summer League games and provide in-depth analysis and commentary.
Conclusion
The NBA Summer League schedule is a crucial aspect of the basketball calendar, offering fans a preview of future stars and giving young players a platform to showcase their skills. By understanding the structure, key dates, and standout teams and players, you can stay ahead of the game and fully enjoy this exciting event.
