What to watch for during NBA Summer League semifinals

The NBA Summer League in Las Vegas has reached the semifinal stage, with four undefeated teams competing on Saturday for a spot in Sunday’s championship game. This year’s event has featured rising stars, explosive scoring and hard-working players battling for their NBA futures.

With basketball futures hanging in the balance for many players, Saturday’s doubleheader at the Thomas & Mack Center offers two compelling matchups.

Let’s take a look at each semifinal showdown:

Semifinal 1: Sacramento Kings (4-0) vs. Toronto Raptors (4-0)

Time: 4 p.m. EST | TV: ESPN

Spread (via ESPN Bet): Raptors -2.5 | Total: 185.5

Sacramento has been one of the most efficient teams in Las Vegas. The Kings lead all Summer League squads in three-point shooting at 38.8% and are averaging 95.3 points per game. They’ve flown under the radar, but the numbers are hard to ignore. Nique Clifford has led the way, averaging 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists while impacting every area of the court. Clifford was the 24th pick overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.

On the other side, Toronto has taken a more physical approach. The Raptors rank just 21st in three-point percentage (29.5%) but have relied on pressure defense, rebounding and transition play to stay perfect. No. 9 overall pick Collin Murray-Boyles has been impressive, posting 20 points and nine rebounds in his most recent outing, an 81-69 win over Golden State. Overall, Toronto has thrived on effort and paint control.

What to watch: Will Sacramento’s outside shooting and spacing create enough problems for Toronto’s defense? Or will the Raptors, led by Murray-Boyles, dominate the interior and force the Kings to play on their terms?

Prediction: Kings advance

Semifinal 2: Charlotte Hornets (4-0) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (4-0)

Time: 6 p.m. EST | TV: ESPN

Spread (via ESPN Bet): Thunder -1.5 | Total: 186.5

Charlotte enters as the second-highest-scoring team in the Summer League, averaging 100.0 points per game while shooting 36.4% from 3-point range. The Hornets cruised on Thursday with a 106-81 win over the Spurs, showcasing ball movement and deep shooting with 15 made threes on 41.7% shooting from deep. KJ Simpson and No. 4 overall pick Kon Knueppel each scored 19 points in the blowout victory. Damion Baugh went 7-for-10 from the floor and added 18 points off the bench.

Oklahoma City has also been dominant in Summer League play. The Thunder have matched Sacramento’s 95.3 points per game, though they have not shot as well from deep, converting just 32.4% of their three-point attempts. Still, they have won every game by at least nine points. The Thunder’s championship culture has translated to their young roster. Second-round pick Brooks Barnhizer led the team with 19 points and nine rebounds in their latest win, a 95-81 victory over a talented Pelicans team.

What to watch: Charlotte wants to push the pace and spread the floor, while Oklahoma City will look to slow the tempo and win the physical battles. The team that controls the game’s rhythm will likely earn a spot in the final.

Prediction: Hornets advance

The winners of these semifinal games will play for the championship on Sunday at 10 p.m. EST.