In an exhilarating display of basketball prowess, Miami claimed their first Summer League championship with a nail-biting 120-118 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. The thrilling encounter, which required overtime to decide the winner, set a new benchmark for high-scoring finals in Summer League history.
Overtime Triumph
Both teams were deadlocked at 118 points before entering the overtime period. Under the unique Summer League overtime rules, both teams had to compete to reach a target score of 120 points. Miami's pivotal moment came when Pelle Larsson scored the deciding basket in overtime, sealing the historic win. Reflecting on the critical play, Larsson said, "Coach [Dan Bisaccio] drew up a great play we've run in practice a bunch of times. They did a good job guarding it. We have shooters everywhere and they want to help, and I just made it."
Larsson's heroics capped off a remarkable contest that now stands as the highest-scoring championship game in Summer League history. The previous record was held by the Los Angeles Lakers, who defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 110-98 in 2017.
Clash of Titans
Miami's path to glory was marked by standout performances from several players. Josh Christopher led Miami with 24 points, while Kel'el Ware posted a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Alondes Williams and Cole Swider added significant contributions, scoring 21 and 19 points respectively. Larsson, alongside his game-winning shot, finished the night with 16 points.
On the Grizzlies' side, Jake LaRavia was the offensive juggernaut, scoring an impressive 32 points. Scotty Pippen Jr. delivered a stellar performance with 29 points and 11 assists, and GG Jackson chipped in with 28 points. The competitive spirit remained high until the final seconds of regulation when Jackson nailed a three-pointer with 10.5 seconds left, tying the game at 113-113. Williams was called for a charge with 4.2 seconds remaining, giving the Grizzlies one last shot, but Pippen missed a three-pointer, sending the game into overtime.
The intensity and resilience displayed by both teams did not go unnoticed. Miami's coach, Dan Bisaccio, praised his squad's tenacity: "[The Grizzlies] made it tough for us. That just speaks volumes to this team. Their willingness to fight through the adversity showed real grit, toughness, and of course that competitive will."
Individual Accolades
The championship game marked only the second time in Summer League history that the final extended into overtime. The first occurrence was a thrilling contest in 2016, where the Chicago Bulls emerged victorious over the Minnesota Timberwolves with an 84-82 win.
In addition to the championship, individual accolades were handed out to recognize standout performances throughout the Summer League. Brooklyn Nets forward Jalen Wilson was honored as the Summer League MVP. Wilson averaged an impressive 21.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game during the tournament, shooting 47.3% from the field and an astounding 55% from beyond the arc. His remarkable performance earned him a spot on the Summer League first team, alongside GG Jackson, Scotty Pippen Jr., Kel'el Ware, and Jordan Miller.
The second team also featured noteworthy contributors, namely Jalen Wilson, Bub Carrington, Donovan Clingan, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Jarace Walker. Their impactful performances throughout the tournament did not go unnoticed and were instrumental in making this year's Summer League one of the most memorable in history.
As the dust settles on this historic Summer League season, fans and analysts alike will remember Miami's thrilling path to their first championship, marked by tenacity, skill, and unforgettable moments in one of the most competitive and high-scoring finals ever witnessed.