By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
European prospects took center stage during Thursday’s NBA Summer League 2026 action in Las Vegas, supporting several rosters across competitive matchups at the Thomas & Mack Center and the Pavilion.
The absolute epicenter was the Dallas Mavericks rolling out an entirely European starting lineup for a second straight fixture, powering past the Oklahoma City Thunder 97–87. Spanish playmaker Sergio de Larrea masterfully orchestrated the offense, flirting with a rare double-double by dishing out 14 assists and pulling down nine rebounds despite struggling from the floor with two points. Greek guard John Poulakidas shouldered the primary scoring burden with 19 points, while Russian guard Vsevolod Ishchenko provided an all-around spark with 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals. The frontcourt was held down by British forward Tobi Lawal, who chipped in ten points and seven rebounds, alongside Spain’s Jorge Diaz Graham, who rounded out the unit with seven points. Jorge’s twin brother, Guillermo, added six points off the bench, countering a five-point interior effort from Thunder forward Christoph Tilly of Germany, while Oklahoma City elected to rest their premier Spanish big, Aday Mara.
Also, the Golden State Warriors reached the Semifinals after defeating the New York Knicks 87–77, propelled by a 13-point performance from Dutch starting forward Malevy Leons. In response, New York’s continental contingent fought hard, receiving nine points from French wing Pacome Dadiet and an additional four from German guard Jack Kayil.
Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets fell 100–83 to the Houston Rockets, though Russian guard Egor Demin stole the individual spotlight by netting a stellar, team-high 21 points in the losing effort. Demin was flanked by Israeli starter Danny Wolf, who recorded four points, and compatriot Ben Saraf, who supplied two points in a reserve role.
Interior presence was on display during the Miami Heat’s 99–90 triumph over the Toronto Raptors, as Russian starting center Vladislav Goldin anchored the paint with eight points and nine rebounds, while Lithuanian teammate Arnas Sakenis chipped in two points.
The Memphis Grizzlies clinched a spot in the Semifinals with a dominant 96–64 rout of the Atlanta Hawks, whose underwhelming evening featured five points apiece from Estonian starter Henri Veesaar and Spanish reserve Eli Ndiaye.
Joining the final four were the undefeated Los Angeles Lakers, who moved to 4–0 by overpowering the Chicago Bulls 105–82. Peter Suder, playing with Serbian heritage, contributed four points to the flawless run, while French forward Noa Essengue managed two points for the Bulls.
To wrap up the night’s European showcase, Italian starting center Giovanni Emejuru logged two points for the Denver Nuggets in a hard-fought 108–101 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Make 
Your Preferred Basketball Source.
Add Eurohoops to Google