The last act of the 2024 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas was a thrilling finale as it took overtime for the Miami Heat to beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 120-118, and win the tournament.
Leading the way for Miami was Josh Christoper, who finished with 24 points, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks. The forward was honoured as the Summer League Championship Game MVP for his efforts.
He was helped by the 15th overall pick in this year’s draft, Kel’el Ware, who logged a double-double (21 points, 10 rebounds) on 80 per cent shooting from the field, and Alondes Willaims who had 21 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Despite the loss, Memphis still had a handful of standout performances worth noting. Scottie Pippen Jr. stuffed the stat sheet with 29 points, 11 assists, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Meanwhile, Jake LaRavia finished with a game-high 32 points, and GG Jackson II chipped in with 28 points, nine rebounds and two steals.
The trio accounted for over 75 per cent of the Grizzlies’ point production on the night.
Miami was able to overcome Memphis’ firepower through some timely offence. Even after trailing by as many as nine points in the fourth quarter, the Heat went on a 12-3 run to tie things up. And had it not been for a Jackson II triple in the final 10 seconds of the frame, Cole Swider would’ve had claim to the game-winner when he buried his fifth three of the night moments prior.
Instead, the game went to a Target Score overtime. Both squads traded baskets throughout the final frame before Pelle Larsson, who finished with 19 points, called game courtesy of a floater down the middle of the lane.
The Heat finished their Summer League campaign with a perfect 6-0 record, earning their first Las Vegas title in franchise history.
It was just the second Summer League finale to end via OT in the last decade. A fitting end to the 20th edition of the off-season event.
Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets’ Jalen Wilson took home tournament MVP after averaging 21.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.6 steals while shooting 47.3 per cent from the field and 55.0 per cent from three-point range in five games in Las Vegas.