Encouraging first step for Hornets in Summer League

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Bryce McGowens was a standout for the Hornets in the California Classic with a game-high 20 points in Charlotte's 93-65 win against China and 29 in an 86-82 win against Sacramento.

The Hornets were finally challenged in the NBA Summer League.

Charlotte rallied for an 86-82 win against the host Sacramento Kings in their California Classic finale. After dismantling San Antonio 97-65 and team China 93-62, the Hornets had to come back against Sacramento to cap a perfect run through the first part of the NBA Summer League.

“The biggest thing was being down five at halftime,” coach Charles Lee said. “It is kind of like a road game for these guys. It was the first time we had been down for the entire summer league. I wanted to see what they would do with their backs against the wall a little bit. The way that they responded, we came out in the third quarter and only gave up nine points. So, I thought our defensive intensity was really good.”

Guard Bryce McGowens led all scorers with 29 points. He added five rebounds and an assist as well. In the win against China, Lee thought they played the way he’s looking for.

“I thought the guys came out with the appropriate mindset and playing our brand of basketball,” Lee said. “I thought defensively we had really good physicality to us. The activity was really good again and then offensively, we played with really good pace. We were able to stretch their bigs out to the three-point line and get some second side actions. I thought Bryce played a really good game.”

McGowens scored 20 points on 4-of-8 shooting in the win against China.

Another player who had a great first half to his summer league campaign was center Jake Stephens. He had a double-double in the win over Sacramento with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He shot 5-6 from the floor as well adding to his efficiency.

Stephens came off the bench in the team’s first two games, but his high level of play found himself in the starting five against the Kings. Stephens played his final college year at Chattanooga, where he averaged 22 points per game in the 2022-23 season.

Where many thought the Hornets would take Donovan Clingan to add depth at center in last month’s draft, the staff may have known Stephens’ potential to do the same behind Mark Williams and Nick Richards.
Now, it’s on to the part of summer league that draws the most attention in Las Vegas.

The Hornets expect first round draft pick Tidjane Salaün to be available after missing the California Classic with a knee laceration. Forward Brandon Miller, who has been in Vegas already practicing with the USA select team, is also expected to play.

Lee feels a lot can be taken from the first part of summer league and hopes it translates moving forward.

“There is no stress,” he said. “We are prepared for anything the game brings our way. I really have felt that from this group. They have bonded together really quickly and really early. I think what it does is just [builds] character. We know that if we are down, the game is far from over. We know what it takes to get back in games.”

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