Giddey hurt, Hankins impresses: NBLxNBA Summer League Day One Recap

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Former NBL Next Star Josh Giddey wasted no time introducing himself to the NBA world as the Las Vegas NBA Summer League tipped-off today.

In his first game in Oklahoma City Thunder colours, Giddey threw down a ferocious dunk on the opening possession of the contest. The 18-year-old drew oohs and ahhs from the crowd in a play that is sure to get all Thunder fans excited for what he can do this season.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a> Summer League ??<br><br>Josh Giddey started his time in Vegas with a big play before going down with an ankle injury which ruled him out for the remainder of the game.<br><br>? we see Giddey back on court ? <a href="https://t.co/B5PmyZO22Y">pic.twitter.com/B5PmyZO22Y</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1424574030842003459?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Unfortunately, those were the only points Giddey would score as he suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter. The former Adelaide 36er played just five minutes, as Oklahoma City took a cautious approach to his injury.

Despite his limited minutes, Giddey still caught the eye of his new teammates.

“He can pass the hell out of the ball, he can make open shots, he’s a really great point guard that can lead the team to victory,” Thunder rookie Jeremiah Robinson-Earl said of Giddey after the game, via The Oklahoman.

“Sad that he wasn’t able to finish the game out, but he’s in a great position. He’ll have a great career.”

Oklahoma City Summer League coach Grant Gibbs also thinks Giddey will be a strong asset for the Thunder.

“I think he assesses situations really quickly on the floor,” Gibbs said, via The Oklahoman.

“He sees space, he sees where the help is coming from and he’s able to get the ball out quick. He can play make from the guard position, from the wing position. Really anytime you give him an advantage on the ball he can see the floor and make plays.”

New South East Melbourne Phoenix import Zach Hankins impressed for the Phoenix Suns in their 73-72 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Hankins scored six points in 10 minutes, coming up with some big plays in the final quarter. The 25-year-old was a constant presence around the basket and displayed strong finishing ability and hands around the rim.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a> Summer League ??<br><br>New <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SEMelbPhoenix</a> import Zach Hankins hit the court for the first time in Vegas with the <a href="https://twitter.com/Suns?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Suns</a> impressing off the bench ? <a href="https://t.co/cX88lq35Jb">pic.twitter.com/cX88lq35Jb</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1424600404050939915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Former Illawarra Hawk Justin Simon teamed up with Hankins with the Suns and the NBL21 Defensive Player of the Year racked up three steals.

For the Lakers, former Brisbane Bullet Vic Law played just under 24 minutes in a starting role. He pulled down seven rebounds and also played perfect defence on the final possession to help save the win for Los Angeles.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a> Summer League ??<br><br>NBL21 DPOY Justin Simon (<a href="https://twitter.com/simon_Says_so?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@simon_Says_so</a>) brought the energy in his first game for the <a href="https://twitter.com/Suns?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Suns</a> in Vegas ? <a href="https://t.co/0Mves7xdSv">pic.twitter.com/0Mves7xdSv</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1424600902120271879?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>