Charlotte clinched their first NBA Summer League title on Sunday. They edged out the Sacramento Kings in a nail-biting championship, taking it 83-78. With that win, the Hornets completed a perfect Summer League run. They rounded out the tournament by finishing with a 6-0 record.
Kon Knueppel, the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft, led the charge for Charlotte, contributing 21 points to the team’s success. He came into the game averaging 16.2 points and 6.2 rebounds, which hinted at his two-way potential as a rising star. Ryan Kalkbrenner, a dominant force down low for the Hornets, finished with 15 points. At the same time, three of his teammates each added 11 points, highlighting the team’s impressive offensive balance.
A key turning point exploded in the third quarter when Sacramento’s James Banks III was disqualified. He was assessed a flagrant-two foul when he elbowed Dylan Cardwell in the face. This incident occurred with 3:47 left in the third quarter and shifted the momentum towards Charlotte, allowing them to maintain their lead.
Sacramento’s Isaac Jones had a standout performance, scoring 24 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, while Devin Carter contributed 13 points. Defender Nique Clifford, the 24th overall pick, did not disappoint. While he didn’t excel, he still played a big role with a strong game, producing 10 points and 8 rebounds. There was real competition for the best showing on the Kings’ side. They didn’t have enough to push past the Hornets in the game’s closing minutes.
Charlotte withstood an incredible comeback attempt from Sacramento, but the Lady Eagles proved too tough to take down on championship day. The Hornets scrapped and clawed their way through the pressure. Their sharp execution of the game plan was the foundation for their first Summer League championship victory.
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