Miami Claims First Summer League Championship in Historic Overtime Thriller
In a gripping showdown that demanded overtime to determine a victor, the Miami Heat triumphed over the Memphis Grizzlies with a narrow 120-118 win, capturing their first Summer League championship. The high-stakes encounter, which led to the highest-scoring finals in Summer League history, kept fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
The game was tightly contested throughout, with both teams locked at 118 points at the end of regulation. Under Summer League overtime rules, the teams battled to reach a target score of 120 points. It was Pelle Larsson who became the hero, delivering the decisive basket in overtime to secure Miami’s title.
Larsson reflected on the critical play that clinched the win, stating, "Coach [Dan Bisaccio] drew up a great play we've run in practice a bunch of times. They did a good job guarding it. We have shooters everywhere and they want to help, and I just made it." His contribution capped off a robust team effort from Miami, who had multiple players deliver standout performances.
Miami's offensive effort was spearheaded by Josh Christopher, who led the team with 24 points. Contributions also came from Kel'el Ware, who posted a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Alondes Williams, adding another 21 points. Cole Swider was a key contributor as well, scoring 19 points, including a critical shot that put Miami ahead 113-110 with just 19.6 seconds left in regulation.
Despite Miami's strong performance, Memphis matched their intensity throughout the game. Jake LaRavia led the Grizzlies with a game-high 32 points, while Scotty Pippen Jr. and GG Jackson added 29 and 28 points, respectively. Pippen also contributed 11 assists, orchestrating Memphis's offense with precision. With mere seconds on the clock in regulation play, Jackson's clutch three-pointer tied the game at 113-113, pushing the contest into a suspense-filled overtime after Pippen missed a potential game-winner.
Miami’s victory wasn’t just a testament to their scoring prowess but also to their resilience and determination. Head coach Dan Bisaccio highlighted his team's fighting spirit, saying, "[The Grizzlies] made it tough for us. That just speaks volumes to this team. Their willingness to fight through the adversity showed real grit, toughness and of course that competitive will."
This championship game has now set a new scoring benchmark in Summer League history, surpassing the previous record held by the Los Angeles Lakers, who scored a 110-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in 2017. Moreover, it marked only the second time a Summer League championship game extended into overtime, the first being in 2016 when the Chicago Bulls edged out the Minnesota Timberwolves 84-82.
Brooklyn Nets forward Jalen Wilson was honored as the Summer League MVP, a recognition of his outstanding performance throughout the tournament where he averaged 21.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, shooting an impressive 47.3% from the field and 55% from beyond the arc. Wilson earned a spot on the Summer League first team, joining other standout players like GG Jackson, Scotty Pippen Jr., Kel'el Ware, and Jordan Miller.
The Summer League second team was equally stacked with talent, featuring Jalen Wilson, Bub Carrington, Donovan Clingan, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Jarace Walker, all of whom made significant contributions during the tournament.
Miami’s hard-fought victory and the thrilling nature of the contest have only added to the Summer League's reputation as a stage for emerging talent and competitive basketball. This year's Summer League will be remembered not just for its high scores and thrilling overtime climax but for showcasing the depth and future stars of the NBA.