​The Cleveland Cavaliers came up short in their first Summer League matchup against the Indiana Pacers on Friday, but there were several bright spots to take away from the defeat. In particular, Meleek Thomas and Nae’Qwan Tomlin stood out as impressive performers. Thomas, selected 34th overall in this year’s draft, poured in 20 points on 7-for-14 shooting, including 2-for-5 from three-point range. The Cavs’ anticipated scoring ability from Thomas was on display in his debut, underscoring the promise the team saw in him during the draft process.
Tomlin appeared to carry himself like an NBA player in Friday’s game, which is exactly the takeaway you want from a player of his caliber in this summer environment. Malaki Branham also delivered a solid performance, recording 15 points on 4-for-8 shooting. Branham is a player to watch throughout Summer League and potentially into the training camp period.
On the flip side, Tristan Enaruna would have liked a stronger showing. Enaruna is on a two-way contract with the Cavs and had shown meaningful shooting development during the previous G League season with the Canton Charge. However, Friday’s game did not go as hoped for him, as he went 1-for-7 from the floor and played only six minutes. It will be interesting to see if he can bounce back in the next game on Sunday.
The Cavaliers will face the Detroit Pistons in their next outing. The game is set for Sunday, July 12, at 4:00 PM local time, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The matchup odds listed the Pistons as slight favorites, with a -1.5 point spread. Notable Cavaliers to watch include Nae’Qwan Tomlin, Meleek Thomas, Ernest Udeh Jr., Riley Minix, Tristan Enaruna, and Malaki Branham. For the Pistons, key players to monitor are Ebuka Okorie, Ugonna Onyenso, Isaac Jones, and Chaz Lanier. The game will be broadcast on Prime Video.