Miami Heat Wins NBA Summer League Championship
In a thrilling finale, the Miami Heat emerged victorious in the NBA Summer League championship, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 120-118 in overtime. Pelle Larsson’s floater in overtime proved to be the game-winner, as the Heat outscored the Grizzlies 7-5 in the extra period.
Josh Christopher led the Heat with 24 points, including six three-pointers, and was named Summer League MVP after averaging 19.3 points throughout the tournament. Alondes Williams and Kel’el Ware each added 20 points, while Cole Swider scored 19 and Larsson finished with 16.
Before the final game, Ware was named to the All-Summer League first team, averaging 18 points and 8.3 rebounds per contest. Christopher is attempting to win a spot on the Heat’s roster after playing for the Utah Jazz’s G League squad last season.
The Grizzlies were led by Jake LaRavia’s 32 points and six rebounds, while Scotty Pippen Jr. continued his breakout performance with 29 points, 11 assists, five rebounds, and four steals. GG Jackson II added 28 points and nine rebounds for Memphis, who finished Summer League play with a 5-1 record.
Pippen and Jackson joined Ware on the All-Summer League first team, along with the Rockets’ Reed Sheppard and Jordan Miller of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Based on his Summer League showing of 21.5 points and 8.6 assists per game, Pippen appears to be playing himself into a regular roster spot. His standout performance was in the semifinals on Sunday versus the Clippers, during which he compiled a triple-double of 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Pippen, 23, is the son of Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen and is entering his second season with the Grizzlies. Originally signing with the Los Angeles Lakers out of Vanderbilt, he joined the Grizzlies on a two-way contract. In 21 games (starting 16) last season, he averaged 12.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, while also hitting 42% of his 72 three-point attempts.
