A look at top performers from Las Vegas on Day 10 of Summer League:
Skylar Mays, Atlanta Hawks
Skylar Mays drops 26 points on Heat to claim star status on a strong night of summer performances.
Amongst a myriad of great performances during Saturday’s games, the Atlanta Hawks’ Skylar Mays shined through with 26 points and nine assists during a four-point win over the Miami Heat.
Mays made the majority of his buckets at the free-throw line, going 10-for-10 from the charity stripe. He also shot 7-for-17 from the field and 2-for-6 from three for his 26 points. While handing out his nine dimes, Mays kept his turnovers low, handing the ball over just twice. He even made up for those rare mistakes, as he generated two steals.
Mays was the No. 50 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-4 guard out of LSU appeared in 33 games for the Hawks last season, and he averaged 3.8 points, 1.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.4 steals in 8.2 minutes. Notably, he posted 20 points against the Spurs on Feb. 12, and he produced a 16-point, seven-assist, two-block game against the Rockets on May 16.
Mays and the Hawks next play Monday against the New York Knicks.
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
Jalen Johnson adds 25 points to Mays’ 26 as Hawks torch Heat.
With Mays filling it up, Jalen Johnson poured in another 25 points (9-15 FGs, 3-6 3Ps). The rookie swingman, drafted No. 20 out of Duke, added seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block in an all-around showing that could further deepen the Hawks’ already-impressive wing depth.
Nah’Shon ‘Bones’ Hyland, Denver Nuggets
Bones Hyland’s 28 points power Nuggets’ OT victory.
You don’t earn a nickname as dope as ‘Bones’ without being able to perform, and Nah’Shon Hyland has done that throughout his Summer League run, this time dropping 28 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, a block and a steal on the Mavericks in an overtime victory. Bones, who shot 9-for-17 overall, including 5-for-8 from range and 5-for-7 at the line, is quickly proving his No. 26 overall selection might prove to be a steal for the Nuggets.
Max Strus, Miami Heat
After making good on a two-way contract flyer for the Heat last season, Max Strus has shown off his shot since arriving in Vegas, and Saturday proved no different: the 6-foot-5, 25-year-old swingman connected on 6-for-13 from 3-point range. Strus finished with 24 points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals as the Heat came up short vs. Atlanta.
Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
Scottie Barnes’ 23 points power Raptors’ comeback win.
The Raptors kept the misdirection moving on draft night, selecting Barnes No. 4 overall out of Florida State, and the verstile big has rewarded their faith, most recently with Saturday’s 23-point showing (10-18 FGs) against the Hornets. Toronto edged Charlotte by a point, and Barnes rounded out the line with five rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block in 30 minutes.
Malachi Flynn, Toronto Raptors
Kyle Lowry’s exit to Miami has left a big opening in the Raptors’ backcourt, and Malachi Flynn — who’s shown flashes in limited action through last season’s rookie campaign — looks ready to step in. Against the Cavaliers on Saturday, it was a near-triple-double line (15 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists) with a steady hand helping boost Toronto to a one-point victory.
Quentin Grimes, New York Knicks
Quentin Grimes, Obi Toppin help Knicks hold off Cavs.
Recast as a ‘3-and-D’ specialist after a college transfer from Kansas to Houston, Grimes has shown flashes of the once-highly touted prospect he was heading into that collegiate career. Saturday against the Cavaliers, Grimes took center stage with a 28-point, six-rebound, four-assist performance, that included both the long-range confidence (6-14 3Ps) and interior agression (6-7 FTs) that should help him find a slot in the Knicks’ backcourt rotation.
Miles McBride, New York Knicks
Grimes’ backcourt mate didn’t leave all the action to his teammate, adding 23 points (9-14 FGs, 5-8 3Ps), four rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block in 36 minutes as the lead guard.
Information from RotoWire.com was used in this report.