LAS VEGAS — Day three of the Las Vegas Summer League started with a bang as two of the top five picks in the draft went head to head. It was the Paolo Banchero (#1 pick) and Keegan Murray (#4 pick) show, and it lived up to all expectations and then some. The game went into sudden-death double overtime, and Banchero’s Orlando Magic secured a 94-92 victory over the Sacramento Kings in the Thomas & Mack Center’s main gym.
The Magic had a comfortable 18-point lead with 5:26 left in the game. There were a few bad turnovers and the Kings started to chip away at the lead. With just six seconds left, Sacramento was down by six and Neemias Queta hit a three at the top of the key to cut it to three. The clock was winding down and Murray stole the inbounds and hit a corner three that went in, tying the game at 87.
The Kings scored six points in six seconds. The fans in the arena erupted as the two teams headed to overtime.
“Keegan is healthy, he’s a great player,” Banchero said after the game. “Every time he shot, I always thought it was going to go in, and on the last one at the end of the fourth, I told him I knew it was going to go in. He’s a great player and it’s fun to compete against him.”
During the Summer League, overtime is only two minutes. The Kings led by three with six seconds left when Magic guard Devin Canady was fouled on a 3-point shot. He sank all three shots. The Kings had a good look with less than five seconds left, but Emmanuel Terry came off the weak side to block Keon Ellis’ shot attempt and send the game into sudden-death double overtime.
At that moment, fans watching the Boston Celtics play the Miami Heat at Cox Pavilion were treated to one of the best Summer League games in recent memory.
During sudden death double OT (which rarely happens in the Summer League), Banchero was called for a blocked shot foul on a Queta dunk attempt. It was eventually overturned and the Magic got the ball back.
The story continues
“I thought I cleared the ball, so I was upset, but obviously they reviewed it and turned it over, so I was happy to get the ball back with the game on the line,” Banchero said. “I’m glad it didn’t end in penalties, especially a game like this, and we were able to play it.”
Banchero had the ball in his hands and everyone in the arena was on their feet. He drove the lane, drawing two defenders and found Terry for an easy basket.
Orlando Magic rookie Paolo Banchero reacts against the Sacramento Kings during the 2022 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on July 9, 2022. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
“I was trying to get to the rim, but I knew they were going to charge and Keon Ellis leaned down and tried to knock the ball out of my hands. As soon as I looked up, ET [Emanuel Terry] made a great cut under the rim and I just found it,” Banchero said.
“Paolo throws bullets, so I knew I had to be ready,” Terry added as he laughed. “This game was a lot of fun and I give credit to all my teammates and coaches.
Both Banchero and Murray were incredible. Banchero did a little bit of everything, finishing with 23 points, six rebounds, six assists, four steals, two assists and two blocks. Murray shot incredibly well and recorded 20 points (4-for-8 from 3-point range), nine rebounds and two assists.
So far, this draft class has lived up to the hype, with all of the top five players performing well. Everyone who joined the NBA in July enjoyed themselves and there is much to look forward to from the young players coming up.
“That was fun,” Banchero said with a smile. “I’ve never played in a game that close. Six points in six seconds, it was crazy and I’m glad I was able to experience it and come out with the win.”
Add Comment