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Las Vegas Summer League Preview: Memphis Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Clippers
It will be a battle between two undefeated teams this afternoon, when the Grizzlies take on the Clippers for a spot in the Las Vegas Summer League finals.
By Luke Hatmaker - July 21, 2024, 10:35 am - 0 comments
When: 1:00 PM CST, Sunday, July 21st, 2024
Where: Las Vegas Summer League, Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV
How to Watch/Stream: ESPN and ESPN+
Undefeated. Feels pretty good doesn’t it?
I mean, sure it’s Summer League, but still… Four wins, zero losses? That’s nothing to sniff at. Like Horton once said… “A win’s a win no matter how small.” Or something like that. Either way, I’m taking it.
And so, that’s where Memphis finds themselves. 4-0 heading into the semifinals of the Las Vegas Summer League. Where they’ll play the LA Clippers this afternoon for a spot in the Summer League finals.
It’s down to single elimination in Vegas, so if the Grizzlies lose today… That’s it—done. But if they win… Well they’ll have a spot in the Summer League Championship game tomorrow.
There’s a chance that today may be the last time we see Memphis hoops for a minute. If that’s the case, here’s what I’m looking forward to. As well as something I’m not, surrounding today’s semifinal tilt.
1 Thing I’m Looking Forward To…
- GG Jackson II and Scotty Pippen Jr.’s Summer League MVP resumes
Heading in to the game this afternoon Memphis will have two. Two players in the running for the Summer League MVP. Not one. Two.
GG Jackson II and Scotty Pippen Jr.
Each have been integral to the Grizzlies’ undefeated run to the Vegas semifinals. And each have without question been two of the best players so far in Summer League play. Which is a good thing no matter how you slice.
I would argue that the excitement surrounding GG topped most Memphis fan’s list. At least when it comes to “thing we’re anticipating the most this summer”. After the way he finished his rookie season? It seemed the sky would be the limit for Jackson II.
Through four games in Vegas so far his averages are the following… 21.0 PTS, 9.5 REB, and 1.8 AST in 31.0 minutes per game. That’s on 40.0/34.4/70.8% shooting splits.
GG hasn’t been afraid to put the ball up, while also proving last season was no fluke. He’s scoring in dominant fashion on all three levels, which is exactly what you could hope for. I’d love to see his assists numbers go up… But that’s nit-picking at this point.
He’s third in points across all Summer League players who’ve played in four games… As well as fourth in rebounding. The case GG has made for himself starts there.
And then there’s Scotty Pippen Jr.
Already responsible for a schism forming across the Grizzlies fan base… Pippen Jr. continues to impress at point guard for the Memphis Summer squad. Not only has he been the best player on the roster in some of these games…
Scotty has been the reason for a couple of these games translating to wins.
He’s averaged the following across four Summer League games so far… 19.3 PTS, 3.8 REB, 7.8 AST, and 3.5 STL in 28.5 minutes per game. That’s while maintaining 54.0/33.3/82.6% shooting splits.
Pippen Jr.’s made his presence felt across each contest in Vegas. He’s tied for fifth in points while sitting third in assists and second in steals. That’s across all Summer League players who’ve appeared in all four games.
On top of that, both GG and Scotty’s plus/minus currently rank in the top three. That’s again for guys appearing in all four tilts.
Each have made strong cases. That either should be the ’24 Summer League MVP. We’ll know later this afternoon which of the two have bolstered their cases more.
…And 1 Thing I’m Not
- No more Zach Edey or Cam Spencer
Talk about a bummer. Not a major one, but a bummer nonetheless.
Due to ankle injuries, the Vegas runs of both Zach Edey and Cam Spencer? Well, they’re cut short. Memphis will be shutting down each for the rest of Summer League.
Not that it appears they’re in big need of either. Edey has only appeared in a single game the entire Summer—in Salt Lake—and Cam’s missed two tilts in Vegas. And the Grizzlies have kept churning on.
I’m still none too excited to see their playing time cut short.
Edey appears poised to take the starting center job, so you’d love to see him get some reps. Especially after his debut in Utah was so explosive. Regardless, it seems he’ll be ready to go come the start of the season. So that’s good news.
I’m more bummed that Spencer will have to miss time. Because his shooting—and feel for the game—through two games has been incredible. Here were his averages in two Las Vegas games…
13.0 PTS, 3.0 REB, 3.5 AST, and 2.0 STL in 25.2 minutes per game. Oh and he was shooting the ball at a 68.8% clip from the field and 57.1% from deep. Wowzers Penny. That’s something I liked to see more of.
I expect both to have heavy roster involvement when healthy make no mistake. Especially once the season begins in full. The disappointment that they’re done for the time being though?
That’s real.
Photo Credit: (David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
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