The NBA announced all 30 teams will participate in the MGM Resorts 2018 Las Vegas Summer League. It marks the first time the entire league will compete in the annual showcase. The change comes as the Orlando Magic shut down their Summer League, which saw decreased participation of late.
The 14th NBA Summer League is set for July 6-17 at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. To account for the entire league joining, the Summer League schedule was expanded to 12 days and 82 games while still keeping with tournament-style play.
Teams will compete in three preliminary games to determine the seeding for the tournament, which will then conclude with the Championship Game on July 17. Each team is guaranteed to play at least five games, and could take the court up to eight times.
Led by Kyle Kuzma, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers to win their first Summer League championship last year. Lonzo Ball was named Summer League MVP but missed the final games due to a calf injury.
NBA Summer League began in 2004 with six NBA teams playing a combined 13 games. Last year’s event featured 24 teams playing 67 games. A matchup between the Boston Celtics and Lakers was the most-watched NBA Summer League game in history, drawing 1.1 million viewers on ESPN.
Ticket information and complete game and broadcast schedules for the MGM Resorts 2018 NBA Summer League will be announced at a later date.
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