The Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans will launch the NBA 2K25 Summer League competition in Las Vegas on July 12.
The Minnesota Timberwolves will feature their 2024 NBA Draft picks and G League players with some young players currently playing for the Wolves. Some headliners for the Minnesota Timberwolves include Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr. Jaylen Clark, Josh Minnott, and Leonard Miller.
The New Orleans Pelicans roster also bolsters their team with young talents including their 2024 draft picks. Pelicans fans will be excited to see what their rookies could offer the franchise in the long run. Some prominent names on the Pelicans’ roster are Yves Missi and Antonio Reeves.
What could these youngsters bring to this opening game of this Summer League exhibit?
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans Game Details
Fixture: New Orleans Pelicans @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Date and Time: July 12 @ 5:00 pm ET
Location: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV
Network: ESPN 2
Summer League Team Review
https://gty.im/2087411955
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves’ 2024 NBA Draft comprises mainly offensive players with an average defense rating. The Wolves’ first-round pick Rob Dillingham played for the Kentucky Wildcats in his freshman year only. The 19-year-old averaged 15.2 points, 3.9 assists, and 2.9 rebounds while making 47.5% of his field goal attempts and 44.4% of his three-pointers in 32 games.
The Wolves point guard achieved 2023-24 All-SEC and SEC Sixth Man of the Year honors due to his first-season performance. Thus, the 6’ 1 guard should give the Pelicans defense challenges.
The Wolves fans are eager to watch Terrence Shannon Jr. shine in his debut game. The 2024 27th overall pick played five seasons for Texas Tech and Illinois averaging 15 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 146 games. The Wolves forward’s college basketball career had many achievements: NCAA All-Region and six other achievements.
Shannon Jr. could play as a supportive player next to Dillingham as he averaged 45.9 field goal percentage and 34.7 three-point percentage.
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans drafted their future rim protector, Yves Missi with their No. 14 draft slot. The Cameroonian basketball player played for the Baylor Bears for just one season. He averaged 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 34 games while making 61.4 percent of his field goal attempts.
Due to his effective defense skills, he was named to the Big 12 All-Defense team. The 20-year-old center could be the team’s building foundation as he could play a crucial defensive role.
The Pelicans guard Antonio Reeves got drafted with the 47th overall pick. There are possibilities that Antonio might debut off the bench. The 23-year-old guard played five seasons with Illinois and Kentucky. Reeves averaged 15.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in college.
Additionally, this shooting guard could pose a problem offensively to the Timberwolves. Reeves made 45.2 percent of his field goal attempts and 38.4 percent of his three-pointers as he averaged 20.2 points in his last college basketball season.
Possible Breakout Players of the Game
Minnesota Timberwolves
Leonard Miller is worth watching as he could be explosive against the New Orleans Pelicans. Miller will be bringing his experience from the NBA and G League to his Summer League debut. Thus, he could stand out as a top performer.
After two seasons of G League experience, the 2023 second-round pick averaged 19.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. The Wolves forward also drives to the rim to make 51.6 percent of his field goal attempts and 36.2 percent of three-pointers.
New Orleans Pelicans
Jordan Hawkins currently plays the shooting guard position for the New Orleans Pelicans. He is a 2023 14th-overall pick. After clinching his first NCAA Championship in the 2022-23 season, he declared for the 2023 NBA draft. The 22-year-old guard averaged 7.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 17.3 minutes in 67 games.
For More Great Content
Check out all the great content Total Apex Sports has to offer. Check us out on X @TotalApexSports and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy Sports.
