Rising Stars Shine Bright in NBA 2K26 Summer League

The NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas saw some impressive performances from both rookies and returning players. These athletes are eager to prove their worth and showcase their skills. Kobe Bufkin from the Atlanta Hawks had a standout game. He scored 29 points, with 15 of them coming from free throws. Bufkin's athleticism helped him draw fouls and contribute to the team's 105-98 win against the Heat. He also had three rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Despite being in his third NBA season, injuries have limited his playing time to just 27 games so far. Liam McNeeley of the Charlotte Hornets made a strong debut. Coming off the bench, he led the team in scoring and rebounding with 22 points and 12 rebounds. McNeeley also shot well from beyond the arc, making 3 of his 5 attempts. His performance helped the Hornets secure a 111-105 victory over the Jazz. Kyle Filipowski from the Utah Jazz had a remarkable game, even though his team lost 111-105. He scored 32 points, the highest in the Summer League so far. Filipowski also showed his versatility with six rebounds and five assists. His strong performances in both Salt Lake and Las Vegas have exceeded expectations as he enters his sophomore season. A. J. Lawson of the Toronto Raptors had a hot hand from beyond the arc, making 4 of his 8 attempts. He scored 22 points and grabbed six rebounds in a 116-72 win against the Bulls. Lawson's versatility was on full display as he scored both inside and outside the paint. Ron Holland II from the Detroit Pistons had a game-high 28 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Pistons to a 104-86 win against the Knicks. He had a dominant third quarter, scoring 18 points and making all three of his 3-point attempts. Holland showcased his ability to drive to the basket and make plays around the rim. Reed Sheppard of the Houston Rockets led all scorers with 28 points, despite a 95-92 loss. He shot 40% from beyond the arc on 15 attempts and contributed eight rebounds, four assists, four steals, and three blocks. Sheppard's strong performance suggests he will play a bigger role for the Rockets this season.