Miami Wins Dramatic Summer League Championship in Overtime Thriller
In a high-octane, action-packed Summer League final, Miami secured a historic 120-118 overtime victory against the Memphis Grizzlies, claiming their first Summer League championship. The game, which etched its place in the annals of Summer League history, saw both teams locked at 118 points at the end of regulation before Miami emerged victorious in overtime.
Miami’s Pelle Larsson played the protagonist, scoring the decisive basket in the extra period. Reflecting on the moment, 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."
This championship game set a new benchmark for high-scoring finals, surpassing the previous record set by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017, who defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 110-98. Notably, this was only the second time a Summer League championship game extended into overtime, the first being the Chicago Bulls' 84-82 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2016.
The Road to Victory
Under the Summer League's unique overtime rules, both teams battled to reach a target score of 120 points. Miami's Josh Christopher led the charge with 24 points, supported by strong performances from Kel'el Ware, who had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Alondes Williams, who added another 21 points. Cole Swider and Pelle Larsson chipped in with 19 and 16 points, respectively, to round out a well-balanced team effort.
Swider was instrumental in the closing moments of regulation, giving Miami a brief lead with 19.6 seconds left, making it 113-110. However, Memphis' GG Jackson tied the game with a clutch three-pointer with just 10.5 seconds remaining. As Miami sought to regain control, Williams was called for a charge with 4.2 seconds left, and Memphis had one last shot. Scotty Pippen Jr.'s three-pointer missed the mark, sending the game into overtime.
A Gritty Performance by Memphis
Despite the loss, the Grizzlies showed tremendous spirit and resilience. Jake LaRavia led all scorers with an impressive 32 points, while Scotty Pippen Jr. contributed 29 points and 11 assists. GG Jackson matched his strong tournament performance with 28 points. The Grizzlies' coach, Dan Bisaccio, lauded his team's determination. "[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."
Recognizing Individual Excellence
Adding another layer of distinction to the tournament, Brooklyn Nets forward Jalen Wilson was honored as the Summer League MVP. Wilson averaged 21.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, showcasing his sharpshooting skills with a 47.3% field goal percentage and an impressive 55% from beyond the arc.
Wilson's stellar performance secured him a spot on the Summer League first team, alongside GG Jackson, Scotty Pippen Jr., Kel'el Ware, and Jordan Miller. The second team featured Jalen Wilson again, reflecting his dominance, along with Bub Carrington, Donovan Clingan, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Jarace Walker.
As the curtain draws on an unforgettable Summer League, fans and analysts will long remember Miami's thrilling victory and the remarkable performances that defined this year's tournament. The historic championship clash not only set new records but also showcased the future stars of the NBA, promising an exciting season ahead.