As the Las Vegas NBA Summer League gets underway, plenty of eyes were on the San Antonio Spurs and No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama ahead of his debut Friday night. But the Spurs were taking on the Charlotte Hornets, who have No. 2 overall selection Brandon Miller — and the top two picks wasted no time going against one another.
In fact, Wembanyama ended up guarding the former Alabama star at one point in the first quarter. It was the first glimpse of the top two picks in the 2023 NBA Draft facing off. After the first 10 minutes, Miller said going directly against the 7-foot-3 Wembanyama adds to the excitement around the matchup.
“I love it out here, man,” Miller told ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth. “Makes it kind of exciting that he’s actually guarding me. Just competing at a high level, having fun with it. I know he’s going to get his. I feel like it’s going to be a great game overall.”
With so much hype around the game — and, specifically, around Wembanyama — it’s easy to see how players can get caught up in the moment. But Miller knows keeping emotions in check is essential.
That’s why he looked at the game as a way to bounce back from two losses in the California Classic earlier this week as summer action got underway.
“Like I said, we’re just out here trying to have fun, as much fun as we can and compete at a high level and try to get a win,” Miller said.
Brandon Miller on first NBA summer league game with the Charlotte Hornets: ‘I don’t like to lose’
While Friday is Wembanyama’s first game with the Spurs, it also marks Miller’s third game with the Hornets after the California Classic. In fact, the Hornets fell to the Spurs 98-77 in Miller’s debut. He scored 18 points, but shot just 5-for-11 from the field and struggled to find a rhythm through the first three quarters.
That’s why getting rid of the butterflies was important. Still, he wasn’t too happy about the way he played.
“I’m a little frustrated because I don’t like to lose, but I had fun out there,” Miller said. “Seeing a different environment from the college experience was fun. I think I was relaxed as far as emotions. Just let the game come to me, make all the right plays and just be there for my teammates. We got the jitters out, so we’re going to be good.”
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