The NBA season is over, players have been drafted, trades are being discussed and free agency is in full swing. Established players are often a known commodity and can be boring. The unknown is often more fun and it’s time for the superstars to move over. It’s time to showcase the future stars of the league.
The NBA Summer League takes place in Las Vegas from July 7 through July 17. The games take will take place on the campus of UNLV at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion. The NBA Summer League is a great time for basketball fans and it’s one of the best entertainment values you’ll find in Las Vegas.
Tickets are only $30 for adults and $20 for kids (plus fees). Each NBA Summer League ticket will get you into as many as eight different games per day in both arenas. You can walk between arenas and games. The majority of tickets are general admission so seating is first come, first served. You can sit just a few rows away from the court for less than a cup of coffee in a casino. Court side seats are $400 if you want to be eye level with players and coaches.
Now that Uber and Lyft are available in Las Vegas, the NBA Summer League is more accessible to tourists than ever before. Rides to and from the games are easier access with the ride sharing apps. They cost less which allows for the tickets to keep their value.
This year a record 24 teams will compete in NBA Summer League. If you’re not familiar with the league, these games are intended for younger players to show the coaches their skills. Teams scheduled to play this year include the owners of the top three overall picks in NBA Draft 2017.
The Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Boston Celtics will all be participating. This will be the first time we see Markelle Fultz in a 76ers uniform, Lonzo Ball in a Lakers uniform, and Jayson Tatum in a Celtics uniform. Heads up, Lakers games are always the most crowded so arrive early for a seat.
This NBA Summer League isn’t only for teams at the bottom of the league. The league will include 14 teams that qualified for the 2017 NBA Playoffs, including all four conference finalists: Cleveland Cavaliers, the Golden State Warriors, the San Antonio Spurs and the Celtics. Additionally, the L.A. Clippers will compete in Las Vegas for the first time since 2014.
The teams will compete in three preliminary games beginning July 7 before being seeded in a tournament that leads to the Championship Game on July 17. Each team at the NBA Summer League will play at least five games. Here’s a look at the schedule:
Friday, July 7
Cox Pavilion
3 p.m. – Toronto vs. New Orleans
5 p.m. – Brooklyn vs. Atlanta
7 p.m. – Houston vs. Denver
Thomas & Mack
3:30 p.m. – Milwaukee vs. Cleveland
5:30 p.m. – L.A. Clippers vs. L.A. Lakers
7:30 p.m. – Phoenix vs. Sacramento
Saturday, July 8
Cox Pavilion
1 p.m. – Washington vs. Memphis
3 p.m. – Portland vs. Utah
5 p.m. – Miami vs. San Antonio
7 p.m. – Houston vs. Cleveland
Thomas & Mack
1:30 p.m. – Dallas vs. Chicago
3:30 p.m. – Toronto vs. Minnesota
5:30 p.m. – Boston vs. L.A. Lakers
7:30 p.m. – Philadelphia vs. Golden State
Sunday, July 9
Cox Pavilion
1 p.m. – Atlanta vs. New Orleans
3 p.m. – Milwaukee vs. Brooklyn
5 p.m. – Utah vs. L.A. Clippers
7 p.m. – Memphis vs. Sacramento
Thomas & Mack
1:30 p.m. – Phoenix vs. Dallas
3:30 p.m. – Minnesota vs. Denver
5:30 p.m. – Portland vs. Boston
7:30 p.m. – Philadelphia vs. San Antonio
Monday, July 10
Cox Pavilion
1 p.m. – Atlanta vs. Chicago
3 p.m. – Brooklyn vs. New Orleans
5 p.m. – Denver vs. Toronto
7 p.m. – L.A. Clippers vs. Milwaukee
Thomas & Mack
1:30 p.m. – Miami vs. Washington
3:30 p.m. – Houston vs. Phoenix
5:30 p.m. – Golden State vs. Cleveland
7:30 p.m. – L.A. Lakers vs. Sacramento
Tuesday, July 11
Cox Pavilion
1 p.m. – San Antonio vs. Portland
3 p.m. – Chicago vs. Washington
5 p.m. – Miami vs. Dallas
Thomas & Mack
1:30 p.m. – Utah vs. Memphis
3:30 p.m. – Philadelphia vs. Boston
5:30 p.m. – Golden State vs. Minnesota
Wednesday, July 12
Seeds 9-24 will play in 8 games at the below times and locations:
Cox Pavilion: 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Thomas & Mack: 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 13
Seeds 1-8 will play against the winners of July 12th games at the below times and locations:
Cox Pavilion: 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Thomas & Mack: 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 14
Losers from games on July 12th and July 13th will play at the below times and locations:
Cox Pavilion: 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Thomas & Mack: 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 15 - Quarterfinals
Winners from games on July 14th will play at the below times:
Thomas & Mack: 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, July 16 - Semifinals
Winners from games on July 15th will play at the below times:
Thomas & Mack: 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Monday, July 17 – Championship
Winners from games on July 16 will play at the below time:
Thomas & Mack: 7 p.m.
The NBA Summer League is a great chance to see future stars of the league up close for the a great price. In previous years you could have seen Stephen Curry, Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant, current NBA Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, and more up close.
You’ll frequently find former and current NBA players, coaches, and general managers milling around Las Vegas during these ten days. You may see them before or after games at the arenas or you may see them in various casinos, clubs, and restaurants on the Vegas Strip. There isn’t an official “Summer League Hotel” so you’re as likely to find someone at Mandalay Bay as you are at Wynn.
Odds to win NBA Summer League Championship from Westgate LV Superbook:
