Hornets’ coaching staff encouraged, despite another NBA Summer League loss. Here’s why
Eight minutes into the first quarter, there was still a zero below the Hornets’ name on the scoreboard. After the team missed its first 14 shots and two free throws, finally, Kobi Simmons got a floater to fall. But by that time, it was an 18-2 Pelicans advantage. And at the end of the first quarter, the Hornets trailed 25-5.
After that, the Hornets slowly cut into the Pelicans’ advantage. They got it to within one in the third quarter, but ultimately fell to New Orleans, 89-83, dropping to 0-4 in Las Vegas and 0-6 overall in Summer League.
“(I told them) I was proud, and I commended them on the effort to climb back in that game,” Summer League head coach Marlon Garnett said. “[...] I told them they could have easily folded, [...] but they didn’t. So that says a lot about the guys in the group that we’ve had these last two weeks, so I’m proud of that.
“I’ve been saying, I’m not into moral victories, but it does say a lot about the fiber of the guys that we have, so I was pleased to see that effort, and they competed and battled and fought so we could at least make it a game.”
The Hornets played Thursday without No. 2 overall pick Brandon Miller, who played in the team’s first five Summer League games before being shut down. Kai Jones also didn’t play Thursday.
“I guess (the front office) felt like they saw enough from those guys, playing those two games in California, so (they) ended up playing five games,” Summer League head coach Marlon Garnett said. “And also to give some of the other guys who’ve been with us since day one a chance to get some minutes. They deserve it. They’ve been working hard just like everybody else. So try to get a look at some other people. That was kind of the process, the mindset, between all of us, so it was a collective decision.”
Across Sacramento and Las Vegas, Miller averaged 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists, shooting 38.1% from the field and 31.3% from 3-point range. His final outing against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday was easily his best of the summer, when he posted 26 points and six rebounds, going 8-for-15 from the field and 3-for-6 from three.
“I think he’s gonna be a great player for us, a great player for the league,” third-year guard James Bouknight said. “He stretches the floor. He can get to the basket. He defends. He plays at a high level, and he has a high IQ. Bunch of things that coach (Steve Clifford) looks for.”
Bouknight had his best game of Summer League on Thursday, scoring a game-high 28 points on 11-for-21 shooting while adding seven rebounds and a steal.
Bouknight was the 11th pick in the 2021 draft by the Hornets, but has struggled to find consistent playing time through his first two seasons in the league. Coming out of college, Bouknight was a known bucket-getter, and while he did that against the Pelicans, he said that hasn’t been his main priority this Summer League.
“I’ve just been focused on the little intangibles, things that coach is looking for, that are gonna help me get into the rotation,” he said. “[...] Just knowing where I’m supposed to be off the ball, whether that’d be defense or offense. Playing hard every possession, not taking possessions off. Things like that.”
Joining Bouknight in double figures on Thursday was Bryce McGowens (19 points) and Nick Smith Jr. (12 points). Smith was coming off an elite performance against the Trail Blazers, where he scored a game-high 33 points on just 20 shots, but he struggled at times against New Orleans, going 5-for-16 and 1-for-6 from three.
Smith is playing point guard for the first time since high school and is feeling himself start to settle in.
“I’m feeling more comfortable,” Smith said. “My pace is getting better each and every day. I’m a little tired today, but, you know, I feel like my pace is getting there, for sure.”
The Hornets will have one final opportunity to pick up a Summer League win against an opponent that’s yet to be determined. And they will have to try to do so without their No. 2 pick.
