Miami Claims First Summer League Championship in Thrilling Overtime Victory
In a dramatic contest that demanded nerves of steel, the Miami Heat triumphed 120-118 over the Memphis Grizzlies, securing their inaugural Summer League championship title. The high-scoring finale, held to the fault line of suspense, set a new benchmark in Summer League history, surpassing the previous scoring record established by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017.
An Edge-of-Seat Overtime Battle
Regulation time ended with both teams locked at 118 points, pushing the game into an eagerly anticipated overtime. Under Summer League’s unique overtime rules, both squads raced to reach a target score of 120 points. In this tightly contested period, Pelle Larsson emerged as the hero by scoring the decisive basket, bringing the Heat their first ever Summer League crown.
Miami's journey to victory was filled with intense moments. With just 19.6 seconds left in regulation, Cole Swider's crucial shot placed Miami in the lead at 113-110. However, Memphis’s GG Jackson responded heroically with a three-pointer, leveling the score at 113-113 and setting the stage for a nerve-racking overtime. Alondes Williams was called for a charge with only 4.2 seconds left, and Scotty Pippen Jr. missed a vital three-pointer in the dying seconds, sending the game into the climactic overtime.
Outstanding Performances from Both Teams
Miami's success was driven by strong individual performances. Josh Christopher led the Heat's offensive charge with 24 points, while Kel'el Ware impressed with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Alondes Williams and Cole Swider each added 21 and 19 points respectively, with Larsson contributing 16 points, including the championship-winning basket.
Memphis, determined and relentless, saw standout performances as well. Jake LaRavia spearheaded their offense with 32 points, while Scotty Pippen Jr. demonstrated his playmaking agility, scoring 29 points and recording 11 assists. GG Jackson also made a significant impact on the scoreboard with 28 points.
Historic Highs and Memorable Moments
This championship game etched its place in history not solely for its high-scoring nature but also as only the second Summer League championship game to extend into overtime. The first such instance was in 2016 when the Chicago Bulls narrowly defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 84-82 in overtime.
The final moments saw Larsson stepping up amid intense pressure. "Coach [Dan Bisaccio] drew up a great play we've run in practice a bunch of times. They did a good job guarding it. We have shooters everywhere and they want to help, and I just made it," Larsson stated, reflecting on the decisive play that sealed their victory.
Coach Bisaccio commended his team’s resilience, expressing, "[The Grizzlies] made it tough for us. That just speaks volumes to this team. Their willingness to fight through the adversity showed real grit, toughness and of course that competitive will."
Acknowledging the Best
As the Summer League concluded, Brooklyn Nets forward Jalen Wilson was honored as the Summer League MVP. Wilson’s impressive averages of 21.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, coupled with his efficient shooting—47.3% from the field and a striking 55% from beyond the arc—secured his spot as the tournament’s standout player. He earned a place on the Summer League first team alongside GG Jackson, Scotty Pippen Jr., Kel'el Ware, and Jordan Miller.
The second team recognized contributors such as Bub Carrington, Donovan Clingan, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Jarace Walker, each leaving a significant imprint on the tournament.
Conclusion
In sum, the Summer League championship game between Miami and Memphis will be remembered as a high-octane showdown that tested the mettle of both teams. Miami's strategy, skill, and steadfastness under pressure earned them their first championship, in a game that set new standards and provided unforgettable moments for players and fans alike.