BBNBA Summer League: Reed vs. Rob, Jacob Toppin injured, Chris Livingston impressing

The NBA Las Vegas Summer League is beginning to wind down. After a full week of summer hoops, only four days’ worth of games remain on the schedule, including Sunday’s playoffs and Monday’s championship.

The Kentucky Wildcats have 11 of its former players participating in Las Vegas Summer League, with most of them having played in three or four games so far. The final pre-playoff games will run throughout Friday and Saturday. All 30 teams will play five total games, so you still have a chance to watch some former ‘Cats in action over the coming days.

We last did a Summer League update on Monday when most had only played one or two games. We have a slightly bigger sample size to work with now though. Let’s dive into the numbers and see how the Kentucky guys have been performing.

Reed Sheppard (HOU; 4 GP) 20 points, 5.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 steals in 33 minutes

• It was the Reed vs. Rob show on Thursday night to close out the pre-playoff games for both former Wildcats. Dillingham’s Timberwolves got the better of Sheppard’s Rockets, 93-83, but it was Sheppard who had the better game, finishing with 20 points (9-17 FG; 0-5 3PT), seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals (plus nine turnovers). There haven’t been many brighter Summer League stars than Sheppard. He’ll play his final game on Sunday.

Rob Dillingham (MIN; 4 GP) 10.8 points, 6.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds in 29.3 minutes

• The shooting percentages haven’t been kind for Dillingham — 28.1 percent overall, 26.3 percent from deep, and 60 percent from the line. However, he’s been the lead guard for a Wolves squad that is 3-1. Dillingham went for 15 points (6-21 FG; 2-7 3PT), six assists, and five rebounds against Sheppard. He’s accumulated 26 assists to 12 turnovers through four games. Minnesota will play one more Summer League game on Sunday.

Jacob Toppin (NYK; 2 GP) 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists in 25.8 minutes

• Jacob Toppin, entering year two in the NBA, was limited to just two Summer League games due to a minor hip issue. He even had to be removed from his second game due to the injury. But his first game of 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, and one block was exactly what the Knicks wanted to see out of him. We’ll have to wait and see if he’s healthy enough to play tonight.

Chris Livingston (MIL; 3 GP) 13.7 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists in 26.2 minutes

• Chris Livingston, also entering year two, has been hitting the boards in Las Vegas through three games. He was especially impressive in his most recent outing on Tuesday when he posted 13 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists. Livingston has been a pleasant surprise for the Bucks in Summer League. He’ll be back in action for his fourth game later this afternoon against the Suns.

Kevin Knox (GSW; 2 GP) 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1 block in 19.4 minutes

• It hasn’t been the Summer League that Knox would have liked to see. He played in the Warriors first two Las Vegas games but did not see the floor in the last two. About to enter year seven in the NBA, Knox has his work cut out for him if he plans to stick around in this league. The Warriors play again later tonight.

Oscar Tshiebwe (IND; 4 GP) 10.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2 assists in 18.1 minutes

• The Big O has played in all four games for the Pacers, but in limited minutes — not because he doesn’t warrant more though. Tshiebwe is nearly averaging a double-double on 60 percent shooting in just 18 minutes. Indiana knows what they have in the glass-eating machine. His NBA opportunity is coming this season. The Pacers play one more time on Saturday.

Antonio Reeves (NOP; 4 GP) 10.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1 steal in 20.9 minutes

• It was a rough start to Summer League for Reeves in terms of shooting the ball, but he’s bounced back as of late. He’s up to 40 percent overall shooting, although his three-point clip is at just 26.7 percent. Reeves went for 12 points on three made triples with three blocks Thursday night for the Pelicans. He’ll be in action for his final Summer League game on Saturday night.

TyTy Washington (MIL; 2 GP) 7.5 points, 1.5 assists in 16.6 minutes

• Washington, on his way to his third NBA season, hasn’t played since earlier in the week. He’s struggled to make an impact alongside Livingston with the Bucks and will be on the outside looking in going into the 2024-25 season in terms of locking up a roster spot. He was a star in the G League last season, but that hasn’t translated for whatever reason this summer.

Justin Edwards (PHI; 3 GP) 7.7 points, 2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 18.1 minutes

• It hasn’t been an ideal Summer League run for Justin Edwards, who has produced a couple of solid performances but has mostly struggled to find a groove. He’s shooting 40.9 percent and 22.2 percent from deep (similar to Reeves’ numbers) and isn’t making much of an impact when on the floor. He’ll play again for the 76ers tonight.

Keion Brooks (NOP; 3 GP) 5 points, 3.3 rebounds in 18.7 minutes

• Brooks failed to score in his first Summer League but has bounced back in the two since then. He posted nine points and five rebounds in 17 minutes on Thursday and will play again on Saturday.

Tre Mitchell (OKC; 1 GP) 7 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist in 24.9 minutes

• Mitchell has seen the floor only once for the Thunder but did make some contributions in nearly 25 minutes of action. He’ll suit up again tonight in hopes of another long run of playing time.