Dude, the NBA Summer League opener was absolutely wild! Cam Boozer, the No. 3 overall pick, just powered the Memphis Grizzlies to a nail-biting 97-96 victory over Caleb Wilson and the Chicago Bulls on Friday. Talk about hitting the ground running for a 1-0 start in Vegas.
Boozer's Clutch Performance Steals the Show for Memphis
Seriously, Boozer was everywhere for the Grizzlies. This dude, fresh out of Duke, stuffed the stat sheet with 23 points, snagged six rebounds, dished out four assists, and even got a steal and a block. That's the kind of all-around game you want from a top-three pick, and he absolutely delivered. Memphis went into halftime up 51-45, and Boozer capped the first half with a layup that put him at nine points before the break. But it wasn't just Boozer. Cedric Coward was a spark plug, dropping a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Plus, Olivier-Maxence Prosper chipped in 13 points, five rebounds, and an assist. This squad looks like they're ready to make some noise. And when the Bulls made it a two-point game late, Boozer just calmly sank two free throws with six seconds left, sealing the win. That's clutch, man.Wilson's Offensive Explosion Falls Short for the Bulls
Now, you HAVE to talk about Caleb Wilson, the No. 4 overall pick. This guy went off, putting up a game-high 35 points! He added five rebounds, two steals, and three blocks, leading the Bulls' offense pretty much by himself. Wilson even hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer that almost pulled off the comeback, but it just wasn't enough. He was Chicago's leading scorer at halftime with 13 points, showing early on what he could do. The Bulls actually looked like they were taking control after opening the fourth quarter with a 13-6 run, trimming the Grizzlies' lead. And that late 4-0 run to cut it to two points with nine seconds left? Intense! Kennedy Chandler contributed 11 points, five rebounds, and two blocks, and Noa Essengue anchored the defense with two steals and four blocks. But even with all that, Chicago still fell to 0-1 to open their Vegas Summer League schedule. What's next for these guys? The Grizzlies, who came into Vegas with momentum after a 3-1 run in the Salt Lake City Summer League, are back in action Monday against the Dallas Mavericks. The Bulls will face the Utah Jazz later that same day. Both teams are looking to establish their identity and show what their top picks can do. You gotta wonder if Wilson will keep lighting it up and if Boozer can stay this consistent. It's gonna be good!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.