After three consecutive DNPs, Kai Sotto scores 6 in NBA Summer League debut
Kai Sotto made his much-awaited debut worthwhile in the 2023 NBA Summer League albeit in limited action as the Orlando Magic were handed an 88-71 defeat by the Portland Trail Blazers at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Friday morning, July 14 (Manila time).
*Kai Sotto makes his much-awaited NBA Summer League debut. (Orlando Magic Instagram)*
After riding the bench in the Magic’s prior three consecutive losses due to the coach’s decision, the 7-foot-3 center made up for the unintentional slack with six points, four rebounds, one assist and three blocks. The Filipino NBA hopeful, who was the only center in the lineup and the lone big man who was kept on the bench in the prior defeats, logged 13 minutes and 23 seconds in his first preseason league action. Dexter Dennis scored the team-high 16 points in the losing effort, while Quinndary Weatherspoon and forward DJ Wilson had 11 points apiece. Sotto checked in for Orlando in the second quarter and totaled five minutes and 37 seconds of play at halftime. In his nearly eighth-minute on the floor, the Gilas big man tallied his first basket off an offensive rebound and highlighted his debut with a dunk. Michael Devoe, who also went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, top-scored for the Trail Blazers with 18 points and six rebounds. The Magic went 0-4 in the standings while the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Houston Rockets remain as the only unbeaten teams in four matches. Sotto and the Magic eye their breakthrough in the preseason league when they tackle the Boston Celtics on Sunday, July 16 (Manila time).
*Kai Sotto makes his much-awaited NBA Summer League debut. (Orlando Magic Instagram)*
After riding the bench in the Magic’s prior three consecutive losses due to the coach’s decision, the 7-foot-3 center made up for the unintentional slack with six points, four rebounds, one assist and three blocks. The Filipino NBA hopeful, who was the only center in the lineup and the lone big man who was kept on the bench in the prior defeats, logged 13 minutes and 23 seconds in his first preseason league action. Dexter Dennis scored the team-high 16 points in the losing effort, while Quinndary Weatherspoon and forward DJ Wilson had 11 points apiece. Sotto checked in for Orlando in the second quarter and totaled five minutes and 37 seconds of play at halftime. In his nearly eighth-minute on the floor, the Gilas big man tallied his first basket off an offensive rebound and highlighted his debut with a dunk. Michael Devoe, who also went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, top-scored for the Trail Blazers with 18 points and six rebounds. The Magic went 0-4 in the standings while the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Houston Rockets remain as the only unbeaten teams in four matches. Sotto and the Magic eye their breakthrough in the preseason league when they tackle the Boston Celtics on Sunday, July 16 (Manila time).