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Creating a buzz and departing with the championship trophy, the Charlotte Hornets clinch their first-ever NBA Summer League title.
**5 HEADLINES FROM TODAY’S ISSUE 🏀**
**July 21, 2025**
**Charlotte Takes the Crown:** Hornets edge out the Kings to secure their inaugural Summer League championship.
**Recap:** Celtics and Grizzlies finish strong, sealing victories as the summer basketball season wraps up in Las Vegas.
**Top 10 Review:** A closer look at how the rookies from the 2025 NBA Draft performed in Sin City.
**Summer Highlights:** A collection of our favorite moments captured over the 11 days spent in the desert.
**Peach Jam Finals:** Four champions were established during one of the premier high school basketball showcases.
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1. **HORNETS HOLD OFF KINGS TO CLAIM FIRST SUMMER LEAGUE TITLE**
In the title clash, both teams entered undefeated in the NBA 2K26 Summer League Championship Game, with the Kings vying for their third title and the Hornets aiming for their first; only one team could emerge victorious.
Eager to take home the championship hardware for the first time, the Hornets came out strong, outscoring the Kings 34-18 in the opening quarter and shooting a remarkable 70.6% from the field, including five successful 3-pointers.
Charlotte seized the lead early and spent the remainder of the game defending against Sacramento’s challenges, leading to a nail-biting finish with just a one-point margin and 77 seconds remaining.
With the championship on the line, fourth overall pick Kon Knueppel rose to the occasion, sinking a crucial 31-footer with 32 seconds to go, allowing the Hornets to seal the victory with free throws in the closing moments.
Final Score: Hornets 83, Kings 78. Knueppel earned the Championship Game MVP title after scoring a team-high 21 points along with four 3-pointers, leading five Hornets players who scored in double digits, as Charlotte countered every rally from Sacramento to secure their first-ever Summer League title, finishing with an undefeated 6-0 record in Vegas. | **Game Summary**
Though the Kings fell short of a third title, they showcased a promising roster of young talent during their time in Vegas.
However, Sunday night belonged to the Hornets, who return to Buzz City with the Summer League championship trophy, marking an exciting milestone for their developing players.
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2. **RECAP: CELTICS, GRIZZLIES CLOSE OUT SUMMER LEAGUE WITH WINS**
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Several other teams concluded their Vegas run on Sunday, participating in consolation games as they made their final pitches for professional contracts.
Celtics 101, Hawks 80: Concluding their summer season on a high note, Boston pulled ahead in the first quarter and dominated the third, handing Atlanta its first loss in Vegas. Isaiah Wong led all scorers with 18 points and contributed 6 assists. | **Game Summary**
Grizzlies 105, Clippers 82: Memphis surged ahead with a strong second quarter, ultimately exceeding LA’s output and securing a comfortable victory. Tyler Burton made his mark with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block, helping the Grizzlies to finish with a 2-3 record in Vegas. | **Game Summary**
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3. **SUMMER LEAGUE ANALYSIS: TOP 10 PICKS**
Following their names being called at the NBA Draft, the 2025 class had little time to celebrate.
Just 15 days after that memorable moment, the NBA Summer League began in Las Vegas, showcasing this new wave of draftees.
Here’s how the top 10 picks fared over the past 11 days, starting with Summer League Champion MVP Kon Knueppel from the Hornets.
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4. **PREFERRED MOMENTS FROM THE SUMMER LEAGUE**
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Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images
Ethan Ward/NBAE via Getty Images
Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images
Ethan Miller/NBAE via Getty Images
Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images
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5. **PEACH JAM CHAMPIONS DECLARED; NIKE NATIONALS UNDERWAY**
On Sunday, four championship games took place at the 2025 Peach Jam in Augusta, S.C., where rising basketball stars showcased their talent on one of high school basketball’s biggest platforms.
EYBL Championship: Brad Beal Elite 75, NY Rens 55. JaShawn Andrews, ranked No. 12 in the 2026 ESPN 100, scored 20 points leading his team, as Brad Beal Elite pulled away in the final quarter to claim the title and complete the bracket.
E16 Championship: Indy Heat 68, Florida Rebels 53. Jahari Miller led all players with 21 points, and his teammates Ferlandas Wright (15 pts, 7 reb) and Kam Mercer (5 pts, game-high 7 ast) provided solid contributions, helping Indy Heat secure the championship.
E15 Championship: Georgia Stars 60, Team Takeover 56. AJ Williams, ranked second overall in the 2028 ESPN 60, had a stellar game with 28 points, while Peter Julius added a double-double (11 pts, 12 reb, 3 blk) to guide the Stars to victory.
PIT Championship: NY Lightning 70, City Rocks Hope 62. Jahda Swann led with 25 points, while Torrey Brooks Jr. recorded a triple-double (11 pts, 10 reb, 16 ast), complemented by Elhadji Diallo’s double-double (18 pts, 14 reb) as NY Lightning emerged as the PIT title winners.
On the girls’ circuit, the Nike Nationals continued in Chicago, where some of the top female high school players were in action.
