​The NBA Summer League in Las Vegas tips off today with a marquee matchup featuring Washington’s AJ Dybantsa and Utah’s Darryn Peterson, the top two picks in the 2026 draft. Here’s everything you need to know to stay on top of the action. The event runs from July 9 through July 19, with all games played at two venues on the Las Vegas campus: the Thomas & Mack Center and the Cox Pavilion. Fans can catch the action on multiple networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and Prime Video.
All 30 NBA teams will participate in this 11-day showcase, contingent on a schedule that ensures every club plays at least five games. After each team completes four games, the field is trimmed to the top four teams based on win-loss records and tie-breakers, who will advance to the playoffs beginning July 18. The playoffs culminate with the championship game on July 19, featuring the two semifinal winners. The remaining 26 teams—those not advancing to the playoffs—will each play a fifth game on one of July 17, July 18, or July 19.
For a sense of the talent at hand, analysts, including Kevin O’Connor, have highlighted a top-50 list of players to watch in Las Vegas, ranging from star rookies to proven second-year players who are eager to prove themselves on the big stage. Time zones throughout this rundown are listed in Eastern time.
Here’s a broad snapshot of the daily schedule and broadcast windows you can expect across the event’s early and late fixtures:
– Afternoons and early evenings typically feature a mix of Prime Video and ESPN family broadcasts, with matchups slated for as early as 3:30 p.m. and continuing well into the night.
– Examples of daily pairings include: Timberwolves vs. Pelicans, Spurs vs. Hawks, Pistons vs. 76ers, Warriors vs. Mavericks, Hornets vs. Magic, and Jazz vs. Wizards in the early windows; followed by evenings that showcase prominent showdowns like the Kings vs. Clippers, Bucks vs. Heat, Cavaliers vs. Pacers, Nets vs. Knicks, and Rockets vs. Nuggets across Prime Video, ESPN2, and ESPN platforms.
– Additional matchups fill the late-afternoon to late-evening slots each day, with representative games featuring teams like the Celtics, Raptors, Trail Blazers, Suns, and Lakers across various networks. The schedule is designed to maximize exposure on Prime Video while also leveraging ESPN’s family of channels to reach a broad audience.
If you’re planning to follow the top prospects, keep an eye on the early-season headlines surrounding Dybantsa and Peterson, as their performance could set the tone for the league’s most anticipated intrasquad exhibitions this summer. The event’s structure ensures there’s ample opportunity for every team to gain experience, build chemistry, and compete for a playoff run that could shape the remainder of the NBA season. Whether you’re watching for breakout performances, clutch late-game decisions, or the development of rookies who could become future stars, Las Vegas Summer League delivers a comprehensive glimpse into the next generation of NBA talent.