NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
**VJ Makes an Impressive Entrance in Las Vegas**
**5 STORIES IN THIS EDITION 🏀**
**July 16, 2025**
**Unbeaten Teams on Tuesday:** Two first-round picks from the 2024 draft shine, while Oklahoma City keeps its momentum going.
**Tuesday Roundup:** VJ shines in the Sixers’ victory; the Warriors, Knicks, and Blazers also secure wins.
**Rookie Photo Session:** A sneak peek at the 2025 Draft class sporting their new jerseys.
**Wednesday Watchlist:** Three teams set their sights on a perfect 4-0 record, with all four semifinal berths still up for contention.
**Must-Watch Matchups:** Edgecombe returns to the court, Ace faces Tre, and more exciting games.
**FIRST THINGS FIRST … ⏰**
**Day 7 in Vegas…**
Wednesday promises another thrilling lineup of seven games at the NBA 2K26 Summer League, highlighted by a potential face-off between the No. 5 and No. 6 picks as Ace Bailey and the Jazz go head-to-head with Tre Johnson and the Wizards (10 ET, ESPN).
Today marks the beginning of the 2025 Nike EYBL Peach Jam in North Augusta, S.C., showcasing some of the nation’s brightest high school talents, starting at 12:30 ET. Fans can catch all the action live on the NBA App, NBA TV, and NBA YouTube.
**WNBA All-Star Participants:** Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu, and Allisha Gray lead the lineup for the Kia Skills Challenge and Starry 3-Point Contest (this Friday, 8 ET, ESPN). Clark will make her debut in the 3-point contest, while Gray will aim to defend her titles in both events.
**1. TUESDAY’S UNBEATEN TEAMS: RAPTORS, WOLVES, & THUNDER MOVE TO 3-0**
As the NBA 2K26 Summer League approaches its midpoint in Vegas, nine teams boast undefeated records.
Four of those teams took the court on Tuesday, all in need of victories to remain in playoff contention.
With the competition intensifying, two 2024 first-round picks stepped up, while the defending champions showcased their prowess.
**Raptors 101, Nuggets 97:** Toronto’s No. 19 pick from the 2024 Draft, Ja’Kobe Walter, delivered an impressive performance with 26 points on 8-of-16 shooting and a staggering seven steals, leading the Raptors to a 3-0 record. | Recap
**Wolves 89, Pistons 73:** Terrence Shannon Jr. continued his scoring streak with 24 points, while Leonard Miller contributed 20 points and 8 rebounds, securing a win for the Wolves and pushing Minnesota to 3-0. | Recap
**Thunder 92, Magic 75:** The 2025 NBA champions continued their solid play on both ends, restricting Orlando to a mere 32.2% shooting. Ajay Mitchell (27 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl) and Brenden Carlson (23 pts, 7 reb, 2 blk) shone, as OKC improved to 3-0. | Recap
**2. ROUNDUP: VJ IMPRESSES IN SIXERS VICTORY; WARRIORS, KNICKS, BLAZERS ALSO PREVAIL**
No. 3 pick VJ Edgecombe dazzled in his Summer League debut in Salt Lake City on July 5, scoring 28 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists. However, a thumb injury sidelined him for the last two games in SLC and the initial two in Las Vegas.
After being cleared to play, he made a mark on Tuesday night.
**Sixers 74, Wizards 58:** With Justin Edwards (17 pts, 8 reb, 5 3pm) and Edgecombe (15 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl) combining for 32 points, the Sixers earned their first victory in Las Vegas. | Recap
**Warriors 96, Grizzlies 84:** Assaulting a double-digit deficit, Golden State took charge late in the fourth quarter with a decisive 25-12 run after trailing Memphis. This win moved them to a 2-1 record in Vegas. | Recap
**Knicks 97, Nets 93:** Tyler Kolek made five three-pointers en route to 20 points in just the first half, while he and MarJon Beauchamp both ended the game with 25 points, leading the Knicks to victory over Drew Timme and the Nets. | Recap
**Blazers 93, Pelicans 87:** Portland received a combined 44 points from Rayan Rupert (24 pts, 4 3pm) and D.J. Carton (20 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast), alongside a solid performance from rookie Yang Hansen (15 pts, 2 blk, 3 3pm), pushing them to a 2-1 record. | Recap
**3. ROOKIE PHOTO SESSION: OUR TOP SHOTS FROM DAY 1**
It’s picture day! Enjoy an exclusive glimpse of the 2025 NBA Draft class as they model their new jerseys during Day 1 of the Rookie Photo Shoot in Las Vegas.
**4. WEDNESDAY WATCHLIST: THREE UNDEFEATED TEAMS BATTLE IT OUT TODAY**
Four playoff opportunities await. Eight teams are looking to maintain their unblemished records. The tension mounts as they prepare for their fourth and final “regular season” contest.
With tie-breakers hinging on head-to-head results, point differentials, and total points, every point is crucial.
**Kings vs. Cavaliers (3:30 ET, ESPN2):** Sacramento heads into Wednesday determined to secure the first 4-0 record, while Cleveland aims to notch its third consecutive victory.
**Suns vs. Wolves (5 ET, NBA TV):** Next, standout players Terrence Shannon Jr. and Rob Dillingham will be back in action as Minnesota pursues a 4-0 start after their Tuesday triumph.
**Pelicans vs. Thunder (9:30 ET, ESPN+/NBA TV):** With Ajay Mitchell (20.0 PPG) and Nikola Topić (12.3 PPG, 7.3 APG) leading the charge, Oklahoma City seeks to extend its perfect record against a talented Pelicans squad.
**5. MORE WEDNESDAY GAMES: SUMMER STARS TO WATCH**
**Bucks vs. Bulls (5:30 ET, ESPN2):** Matas Buzelis, a Second Team All-Rookie from 2024-25, dazzled in Monday’s victory against Indiana (28 pts, 8-14 fg, 5 reb). Tonight, he is set to shine again as Chicago faces Milwaukee.
**Magic vs. Nets (7:30 ET, ESPN+/NBA TV):** After an impressive double-double featuring 24 points and 10 rebounds, Drew Timme aims to maintain his momentum as he leads the Nets against the Magic, both teams vying for their first win.
**Mavericks vs. 76ers (8 ET, ESPN):** After missing the first two games in Vegas, VJ Edgecombe returned with vigorous energy (15 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl) during Tuesday’s win. He is set to make a significant impact once more as the Sixers take on the Mavs.
**Wizards vs. Jazz (10 ET, ESPN):** A host of young talent will flood the court in what could be a contested matchup featuring up to nine former first-round picks alongside this summer’s scoring leader.
