LAS VEGAS – The Sacramento Kings went a perfect 5-0 and claimed the NBA Summer League title by beating the Boston Celtics 100-67 in the championship game played in Las Vegas on Aug.17.
Tournament MVP Louis King finished with 21 points, three rebounds and five key By Antonio Hzarveysteals for the Kings. Jahmi’us Ramsey had 16 points and rookie Davion Mitchell added nine points and seven assists.
The Kings lost their first two games in their own California Classic held earlier this month at Golden 1 Center. But they rebounded in the Summer League contests.
“I didn’t know what to expect out of this game. I knew it was going to be a really good game because looking at them on film they play fast and shoot a lot of threes,” said Bobby Jackson, who went 5-2 during Summer League activities. “But at my meetings, I told the guys, ‘they haven’t run up against a defense like ours.’ It was just an effort on the defensive side of the ball. We kind of set that tone.”
The Kings and Celtics went undefeated and had the highest differentials to play in the final game. It’s the second time in seven years the Kings have been crowned the champions in Summer League. They also won it in 2014.
After the game, Jackson and the players said they would savor the victory, and then prepare for the Kings and Stockton Kings’ upcoming seasons.
“We’re starting in the gym as soon as we get back to Sac at 6:00 a.m. off that flight,” King said. “There’s no days off for us. This is the beginning for us.”