​San Antonio (1-1) defeated New York (0-2) 70-49 on July 11 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. In a Summer League contest that showcased three former Tennessee Volunteers, the Spurs leaned on strong contributions across the roster to secure the win over the Knicks. Ja’Kobi Gillespie drew the starting assignment and finished with 14 points in 24 minutes of play. He went 6-for-14 from the field and knocked down 2 of his six attempts from three-point range. In addition to his scoring, Gillespie contributed five rebounds, five assists and two steals, making him a versatile piece for San Antonio as they navigated through the early stages of the league schedule.
Igor Milicic Jr. logged 13 minutes and totaled five points along with four rebounds, two assists and one block, providing the Spurs with a steady presence off the bench. Zakai Zeigler also saw nine minutes of action, scoring two points and grabbing one rebound while dishing out two assists. Zeigler connected on both of his free-throw attempts, displaying efficiency from the charity stripe in his limited playing time.
San Antonio dominated the glass, outrebounding New York 47-32, which helped fuel their offensive efficiency and stretching leads. The Spurs’ largest margin of the evening was 22 points, a clear indication of their defensive discipline and execution on both ends of the floor during the majority of the game.
Looking ahead, San Antonio is scheduled to return to the court on Sunday when they face Milwaukee. The tip between the Spurs and Bucks is set for 9 p.m. Eastern Time, with ESPN televising the NBA Summer League matchup, ensuring fans can catch the action live from start to finish.
This recap highlights the notable performances from a trio of former Volunteers who saw meaningful minutes in the summer showcase, including Gillespie’s productive night and the steady contributions from Milicic Jr. and Zeigler. As the Spurs continue their Summer League slate, battles like these serve as opportunities to refine rotations, develop chemistry, and showcase depth across the roster. The game provided a positive note for San Antonio, underscoring their ability to control the pace, win the rebounding battle, and capitalize on offensive opportunities created by a collective team effort.
For readers following Vols Wire and continued coverage of Tennessee alumni in the NBA, this Suns, Knicks, or Spurs-focused matchup offered a glimpse into how the next wave of Vols players might contribute at the professional level. The article originally appeared on Vols Wire, contributing to ongoing SEO-friendly coverage by highlighting Gillespie’s 14-point performance in the Spurs-Knicks contest and situating it within the broader context of the NBA Summer League and Tennessee’s basketball footprint in the league.