Event Overview
The highly anticipated 2026 NBA Summer League kicks off today in Las Vegas, Nevada. The spotlight is firmly on the premier opening matchup: a showdown between the top two picks of the 2026 draft, Washington's AJ Dybantsa and Utah's Darryn Peterson.
Games will be hosted at two primary venues: the Thomas & Mack Center and the Cox Pavilion. Fans can catch all the action broadcast across the ESPN network family.
Tournament Structure
The 11-day event features all 30 NBA franchises, with each team guaranteed a minimum of five appearances. The tournament progression is organized as follows:
- Preliminary Rounds: Each squad plays four initial games.
- Playoffs: The four teams with the best records advance to the playoff bracket starting July 18.
- Finals: The two victorious semifinalists will square off for the championship title on July 19.
- Consolation Games: The 26 teams that do not qualify for the postseason will compete in a final game scheduled between July 17 and July 19.
Key Matchups and Schedule
The event showcases a packed schedule of talent, ranging from incoming rookies to sophomore players aiming to solidify their roles in the league. Below is a snapshot of the opening days of the tournament:
Thursday, July 9 (All times Eastern)
- 3:30 p.m.: Timberwolves vs. Pelicans
- 4:30 p.m.: Spurs vs. Hawks
- 5:30 p.m.: Pistons vs. 76ers
- 7 p.m.: Warriors vs. Mavericks
- 7:30 p.m.: Hornets vs. Magic
- 9 p.m.: Jazz vs. Wizards
- 11 p.m.: Kings vs. Clippers
Friday, July 10
- 4 p.m.: Bucks vs. Heat
- 4:30 p.m.: Cavaliers vs. Pacers
- 6 p.m.: Nets vs. Knicks
- 6:30 p.m.: Rockets vs. Nuggets
- 8 p.m.: Bulls vs. Grizzlies
- 9 p.m.: Celtics vs. Raptors
- 10 p.m.: Thunder vs. Lakers
- 11 p.m.: Trail Blazers vs. Suns
The tournament continues through July 19, with the final matchups determined by the standings established during the preliminary sessions.