​After scoring five points on perfect 2-for-2 shooting in just two minutes during his previous Summer League appearance against Oklahoma City, former Clemson guard Jestin Porter was given a much longer look for the Memphis Grizzlies against the Atlanta Hawks. Porter started in Memphis’ 96-82 defeat, logging 29 minutes and finishing with six points, one rebound, and three assists. Yet his shooting efficiency did not replicate the smooth accuracy of his prior display. He went 2-for-10 from the floor and 2-for-6 from three, a noticeably colder line after a brief, tidy impression against the Thunder.
In Summer League play, opportunities come in waves. One night, a standout like Cameron Boozer might start a full game, pour in 30 points, and showcase his talent; the next night, he may not see any action at all. For Porter to make an impression and earn a shot at the G-League level, he will need to convert more consistently when opportunities arise. It’s a tough reality in the crowded NBA developmental ecosystem, where minutes can swing dramatically from game to game and where even small improvements can change perceptions.
Porter’s performance wasn’t the sole story of the night. Memphis as a team struggled offensively, shooting 26-for-70 from the field and 11-for-36 from three. The Hawks, by contrast, had a cleaner offensive night, finishing 46 percent from the floor and 47 percent from beyond the arc, led by Devon Higgs with 22 points. Memphis never quite found enough rhythm to keep pace after falling behind early, and the discrepancy in shooting efficiency underscored the challenge.
For Porter, these first two Summer League games have underscored both sides of the learning curve. In the first game, he appeared to be a minimal presence on the court yet made every touch count, leveraging limited opportunities. In the second outing, he accepted a heavier load: he was a starter, played 29 minutes, and faced the more demanding realities of Summer League basketball—missed shots, increased responsibility, and a larger scouting sample for opponents to study.
The experience highlights the dual nature of development in the summer showcase. A player can demonstrate efficiency in a brief cameo and then weather a tougher, more scrutinized set of minutes in the following game. For Porter, the challenge remains converting volume into quality shots—showing that he can sustain scoring when defenses tighten and the scouting report expands. If he’s to progress toward a potential G-League role, sharpening shooting consistency and translating opportunities into reliable production will be crucial moving forward.
For continued updates on Clemson Tigers coverage and Jestin Porter’s Summer League journey, reach out to @Clemson_Wire on X and follow the Clemson Wire Facebook page for ongoing news, notes, and opinions. This recap originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Jestin Porter starts, contributes in Grizzlies’ Summer League loss, in the pursuit of better SEO.