On July 21, the NBA Summer League continues with a game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Washington Wizards. The main focus of this match will be on the matchup between No. 2 pick Sall and the Bucks’ No. 23 pick AJ Johnson.
The Wizards have a record of two wins and two losses in four games. In their last match, they defeated the Sacramento Kings to avoid a third consecutive loss. In their opening game against the Atlanta Hawks, they won 94-88. The showdown between the top overall pick and the second pick ended with Sall coming out on top, scoring 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists efficiently. No. 2 pick Sall had 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Carrington contributed 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. Overall, their performance was decent. However, in their second game against the Houston Rockets, who featured Whitmore and No. 3 pick Sheppard, the Wizards struggled. They were dominated on the boards throughout the game, particularly in the direct matchup between Sall and Sheppard, which ended with Sheppard’s victory. Sall went 4-for-14 from the field, 0-for-5 from three-point range, and scored just 8 points with 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Champagnie had 19 points and 7 rebounds, and Carrington contributed 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. However, Sall needs to improve his core competitiveness when faced with superior talent.
In the game against the Portland Trail Blazers, No. 2 pick Sall had a terrible performance, going 0-for-15 from the field, 0-for-7 from three-point range, and missing both free throw attempts, ending up with 0 points but contributing 9 rebounds and 3 assists. Carrington performed steadily with 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists, but unfortunately, the team lost 80-82. Undoubtedly, Sall’s poor performance was the main reason for the Wizards’ loss. Finke came off the bench and hit four three-pointers, scoring 14 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. Excluding Sall, the Wizards’ overall performance was better than that of the Blazers.
In their most recent game, the Wizards defeated the Kings 73-69. Sall continued to struggle, and it is unacceptable for a No. 2 pick to put up such numbers. He went 1-for-6, scoring only 2 points with 11 rebounds and 4 assists. The previous game seemed to have left a lasting impact on Sall. Fortunately, Bernard came off the bench and scored 20 points with 5 rebounds, Finke contributed 12 points and 4 rebounds, and George added 11 points. Facing a struggling Kings team, the Wizards did not miss their opportunity.
As for the Bucks, they find themselves in the same predicament as the Hawks, having lost all four of their games. In their first game, they fell to the Chicago Bulls 89-96. Beecham scored 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in vain, while Livingston had 11 points and 8 rebounds, and AJ Johnson contributed 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. Despite four players scoring in double digits, the Bulls performed better. In their second game, they suffered a crushing 81-112 defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Beecham maintained a good form, scoring a team-high 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Livingston had 17 points and 7 rebounds. Johnson went 2-for-5, scoring 8 points. Only three players scored in double digits, and the Bucks were thoroughly defeated by the hot Cavaliers.
In their third game, the Bucks lost to the Los Angeles Clippers 97-112. AJ Johnson had a standout performance, going 9-for-18 and scoring 22 points with 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Livingston contributed a double-double with 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists, but Beecham struggled with his shooting. Only two starters scored in double digits, while Rollins came off the bench and scored 24 points and 4 rebounds. It was unfortunate that the Bucks couldn’t win the game.
In their last game, the Bucks lost to the Phoenix Suns 90-115. Their problems were more defensive than offensive, as they were outrebounded 33-50. They relied more on young players for defense. Although Livingston maintained his form, scoring a team-high 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists, Beecham went 1-for-6, scoring just 3 points. Johnson contributed 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, a decent performance. After four games, the Bucks’ problem remains their defense.
AJ Johnson’s selection at No. 23 caused significant controversy, as he averaged only 2.9 points during the 2023-24 season playing in the Australian NBL. However, over four Summer League regular-season games, he averaged 23.8 minutes per game, shooting 40% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range, scoring 14 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3 assists. His overall performance has been decent, at least more consistent than No. 2 pick Sall.
The performance that No. 2 pick Sall will deliver in tomorrow’s game is a hot topic among fans. Can the Bucks stop their slide and end their four-game losing streak? It will be interesting to see.
Here are the specific rosters for both teams in the Summer League:
Bucks: 3 Beecham, 7 Livingston, 13 James Akintola, 15 Tyler Smith, 18 Dwayne Eak, 19 Jamil Chaplin, 23 Tait Washington, 25 Hugo Besson, 26 Jalen Lewis, 27 Bagi, 30 Clark, 31 Mulkey, 37 Justin Moore, 41 Philip Alston, 42 Beck, 44 Andre Jackson, 55 Ryan Rollins, 77 AJ Johnson, 00 Galloway
Wizards: No. 1 Johnny Davis, No. 4 Jared Butler, No. 7 Baldwin, No. 9 Champagnie, No. 12 Sall, No. 14 Bernard, No. 17 Carrington, No. 18 Keshawn George, No. 19 John Butler, No. 21 Finke, No. 26 Robertson, No. 36 Stevenson, No. 97 Omoruyi, No. 99 Nowell, No. 00 Vukcevic
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