By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Holding on in the Final of the NBA 2K26 Summer League 2025, the Charlotte Hornets prevailed, 83-78, over the Sacramento Kings.
After scoring 21 points in the championship game of the offseason tournament in Las Vegas, 19-year-old Kon Knueppel collected the Most Valuable Player award. The former Duke standout was selected with the fourth overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft presented by State Farm.
“In every game, we played together, and it had a good outcome for us,” mentioned Knueppel, describing the championship run, “I think a lot of guys are going to be on the roster. You always compete to win. So, I think building winning habits, even if it is the Summer League, is very beneficial.”
The last day of the Summer League also featured consolation games in the Thomas & Mack Center, with the Memphis Grizzlies defeating the Los Angeles Clippers, 105-82, and the Boston Celtics taking down the Atlanta Hawks, 101-80.
Starting and logging just under 21 minutes for the Kings in the Final, French Maxime Raynaud went for nine points, seven rebounds, two blocks, and one steal.
Standing out for the Celtics, former Zalgiris player Isaiah Wong netted a game-high 18 points. Spanish Hugo Gonzalez, British Amari Williams, and Ukrainian Max Shulga all started for the team coached by Matt Reynolds. They tallied eight, six, and three points, respectively.
European action also extended beyond recent draft picks to the Grizzlies with Croatian Ante Brzovic and two points in seven minutes.