In a dramatic and high-scoring encounter, the Miami Heat triumphed over the Memphis Grizzlies with a 120-118 victory, securing their first-ever Summer League championship. The game, which extended into overtime, will be remembered as one of the most thrilling and competitive finals in Summer League history.
The contest was fiercely competitive, with both teams showcasing their scoring prowess. Regulation time concluded with the teams locked at 118 points, necessitating an overtime period to determine the winner. Under Summer League overtime rules, the teams competed to reach a target score of 120 points. Pelle Larsson emerged as the hero for Miami, scoring the decisive basket in overtime.
The stakes were high throughout the game, setting a new benchmark for high-scoring finals in the Summer League. The previous record was held by the Los Angeles Lakers, who defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 110-98 in 2017. This particular championship game not only shattered that record but also became the second in Summer League history to extend into overtime. The first such instance occurred in 2016 when the Chicago Bulls edged out the Minnesota Timberwolves 84-82.
Josh Christopher led Miami's offensive charge with an impressive 24 points. Kel'el Ware and Alondes Williams were also instrumental in the victory, contributing 21 points each, with Ware adding 10 rebounds to his stat line. Cole Swider and Pelle Larsson rounded out Miami's top scorers with 19 and 16 points, respectively.
Swider played a key role in the final moments of regulation, putting Miami ahead with 19.6 seconds left on the clock, making the score 113-110. However, the Grizzlies were not ready to concede. GG Jackson knocked down a three-pointer with 10.5 seconds remaining, tying the game and sending it into overtime. Williams was called for a charge with 4.2 seconds left in regulation, and Scotty Pippen Jr.'s missed three-pointer in the dying seconds ensured that the game would need overtime to find a winner.
Memphis saw stellar performances from Jake LaRavia, who led all scorers with 32 points, Scotty Pippen Jr., who recorded an impressive 29 points and 11 assists, and GG Jackson, who added 28 points of his own. Despite their efforts, the Grizzlies fell just short.
Reflecting on the critical basket in overtime, Pelle Larsson credited his coach's strategic foresight: "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."
Miami's head coach, Dan Bisaccio, praised his team's resilience: "[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."
In addition to Miami's stunning victory, Brooklyn Nets forward Jalen Wilson was named Summer League MVP, recognizing his outstanding performance throughout the tournament. Wilson averaged 21.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, shooting 47.3% from the field and an impressive 55% from beyond the arc. His contributions earned him a place on the Summer League first team alongside GG Jackson, Scotty Pippen Jr., Kel'el Ware, and Jordan Miller. The second team featured notable players such as Jalen Wilson, Bub Carrington, Donovan Clingan, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Jarace Walker.
Miami's crowning as Summer League champions is a testament to their relentless spirit and teamwork. This final will be remembered not only for its record-breaking score but also for the heart and tenacity displayed by both teams throughout the contest. While Memphis demonstrated considerable skill and determination, it was Miami's unwavering grit and Larsson's clutch performance in overtime that ultimately secured the championship.