The Cleveland Cavaliers just snagged their first win of the 2026 Las Vegas Summer League, a solid 90-73 beatdown over the Miami Heat, and it's all thanks to rookie Meleek Thomas. Dude was absolutely on fire from start to finish, exploding for an incredible 35 points! If you weren't watching, you missed a clinic. This kid didn't just play well; he set the entire tone for the game.
Thomas Was Balling Out, Vegas Style
Seriously, Thomas came out swinging. He dropped a ridiculous 11 points in the first seven minutes alone, showing off an on-ball shot-creation game that's straight-up standout stuff. He looked so comfortable navigating the floor, just dribbling into some supremely confident jumpers. Remember that pull-up from near the logo? Pure swagger, pure bucket. As the game went on, Thomas kept digging deeper into his bag, pulling out a flurry of floaters and mid-range jumpers in the second half. Those shots are money, especially when defenses try to pack the paint; they give him a valuable counter. You never want to rely only on the mid-range, but when you've got a skilled shooter like Thomas, you can punish teams for making it too easy. By halftime, he already had 21 points, which is insane. He tied the franchise record for points in a summer league game, only seven points shy of the overall record of 42. But when asked about it? "Just get a win, that's all," Thomas said. "Not really worried about the accolades, if it happens it happens, I wanna win this game." That's the mindset you want to see, right?Beyond Thomas: The Cavs Have Some Gems
Look, this has been a strong summer for Thomas, no doubt. The 34th pick is showing off elite scoring touch and a level of playmaking that honestly, I didn't even know he had. Yeah, yeah, it's Summer League, and we take all of it with a grain of salt. But you know what? Get carried away! Start buying as much Thomas stock as you can, because this kid is for real. He wasn't the only standout either. Ernest Udeh Jr. had his best game of the summer, putting up 8 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and blocking 4 shots. The dude was highly active all over the floor. Jaxson Robinson chipped in with 13 points and 6 rebounds, and Malaki Branham added 11 points on efficient 5-of-11 shooting. The Cavs absolutely closed the door early in the fourth quarter, clinching their first victory in the tournament. The Cavs are back in action on Wednesday, facing off against the New Orleans Pelicans at 5:30 PM. This is their last game before the knockout round begins. Can Thomas keep this incredible scoring run going? You gotta tune in, because this momentum is everything as they head into the next stage!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.