NBA Las Vegas Summer League schedule

The NBA opened its 2026 Las Vegas Summer League on Thursday, July 9, with all 30 teams in the event and games scheduled through July 19 at the Thomas & Mack Center and Pavilion on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus. The league said the event will include 76 games over 11 days, with every game carried on Prime Video or ESPN platforms. NBA.com and ESPN posted opening-day matchups that included Minnesota vs. New Orleans, San Antonio vs. Atlanta and Sacramento vs. the Lakers. ### Where and when is the Las Vegas event being played? Las Vegas is hosting the NBA's main summer event from July 9 through July 19, according to the league's published schedule. The games are being split between the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion, the two UNLV venues the NBA uses each year for the tournament. NBC Washington's viewing guide and the NBA's own schedule page both list the same July 9-19 window. (nba.com) June 26 was the date the NBA formally announced the full game and broadcast schedule. NBA Communications said then that all 76 games would air live on Prime Video or ESPN platforms, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN+. ### How does the 2026 format actually work? The NBA updated its format summary on July 7 and said each team will play at least five games in Las Vegas. (nba.com) The league said the first four games count toward the standings, and after those games the top four teams - not two - will advance to the semifinals on July 18. The two semifinal winners will meet in the championship game on July 19, while the other 26 teams will each play a fifth game. (pr.nba.com) NBC Washington's guide also says all 30 teams are in Las Vegas and outlines the same standings-based structure for the event. The format page on NBA.com describes the tournament as a 76-game competition and includes tiebreak criteria for deciding the semifinal field after the fourth game. ### Which games start the schedule? (cdn-uat.nba.com) ESPN's schedule page listed seven games for Thursday, July 9. Minnesota opened against New Orleans at 12:30 p.m. Eastern on Prime Video, San Antonio faced Atlanta at 1:30 p.m., Detroit played Philadelphia at 2:30 p.m. on Prime Video, Golden State met Dallas at 4 p.m., Charlotte faced Orlando at 4:30 p.m. on Prime Video, Utah played Washington at 6 p.m., and Sacramento met the Lakers at 8 p.m. (nbcwashington.com) Friday, July 10, includes eight more games, according to ESPN and NBC Washington. Those matchups include Brooklyn vs. New York, Boston vs. Toronto, Oklahoma City vs. the Clippers and Portland vs. Phoenix. ### Which players are drawing the most attention? ESPN's summer league preview said AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer headline the rookie group in Las Vegas. (espn.com) The network's team-by-team guide framed the event as a key stage for rookies and second-year players competing for roster spots and minutes before training camp. (nbcwashington.com) Washington's roster has drawn added attention because ESPN lists Dybantsa with the Wizards, while Memphis' group includes Boozer. Those names appear near the top of the early-watch list as the first games begin. ### Where can viewers find the full daily slate? NBA.com maintains the league's full Las Vegas schedule page with dates running through July 19. (espn.com) ESPN has a separate schedule page with daily tip times and TV assignments, and NBC Washington has a guide that combines format details, game listings and streaming information. July 18 is the date set for the semifinals and July 19 is the championship date, the NBA said in its format summary. (espn.com) The league's posted schedule and broadcast listings will determine the final pairings once each team completes its first four games. (cdn-uat.nba.com) (nba.com)