BBNBA: Mychal Mulder, Brandon Boston go off in Las Vegas debuts

Day three of the 2022 Las Vegas NBA Summer League is in the books, and as expected, it was jam-packed with ‘Cats. TyTy Washington Jr. turned in another strong outing in his second professional contest, and a few other familiar faces got their first look at the competition this summer. We’ve got nothing better to do, so let’s break it down!

Mulder, Boston start off hot from deep

In addition to being a rookie showcase, the Summer League is also an opportunity for the league’s fringe players to stake their claim to a coveted roster spot. So it’s no surprise when the hardest-working hoopers in these games are often forgotten veterans. But if you predicted Mychal Mulder would finish Saturday’s action as the second-leading scorer on the day, you have my respect.

Mulder, back with Miami this year on a two-way contract, got red-hot to lead his team to a 10-point victory over the Celtics in their Las Vegas opener. He made his first four shots from downtown, finishing with a game-high 23 points on 12 shots (5-7 3pt).

Mychal Mulder was a lock from 3 tonight 🔒 pic.twitter.com/CjBXMAYU7A

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) July 9, 2022

The 28-year-old sharpshooter is entering his fourth season in the league after leaving Kentucky in 2017. Last year, he played in 17 games between Orlando and Miami while bouncing back and forth from the G-League. Since his days with the Warriors in 2021, he’s earned a reputation as a hard-working two-way player who can provide valuable minutes when called upon. A couple more showings like this, and he might just find himself on the full roster come October.

However, he wasn’t the only former UK swingman who was cooking last night. Clippers second-year forward Brandon Boston Jr. had a nice night for himself in their win over the Grizzlies, dropping 15 points on just eight shots (3-5 3pt). Here he is putting the moves on an unsuspecting rookie:

Straight cash. 👌

📺 @NBATV | @bboston_ pic.twitter.com/S2oFrE83qk

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) July 10, 2022

Boston is in his second time around the Summer League scene, after averaging 12 points in four games last year. He made enough of an impression to earn semi-regular minutes in the L.A. rotation last season, and he should have the opportunity to do so again this year despite playing on a loaded roster (which now features John Wall).

Washington comes up clutch for Rockets in Game 2

In contrast to the mess that is the Shaedon Sharpe situation, TyTy Washington Jr.’s story has been a happy one for the Big Blue faithful so far. Since falling all the way to 29th in last month’s draft, TyTy has drawn nothing but rave reviews, leading some to speculate whether the league may have undervalued a Kentucky guard once again.

Washington scored just nine points, converting four shots and one three-pointer. But as he did in his debut Thursday night, he more than passed the eye test. He looked comfortable with the ball, and made some ridiculous plays as a distributor:

No basket, but how did TyTy Washington make this pass?

ROCKETS/THUNDER Live Now on ESPN 2 pic.twitter.com/LLBaxGY4FA

— NBA (@NBA) July 10, 2022

The hoopla surrounding this game involved a matchup between the two top-three picks, Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr. Each of them finished with 12 points. But when it came down to crunch time, it was Washington with the ball in his hands making plays — namely, this tough go-ahead bucket over the go-go-gadget arms of Holmgren:

TyTy Washington gives the @HoustonRockets the lead with under 30 seconds remaining on ESPN 2 🚀 pic.twitter.com/7zOnCVjYzl

— NBA (@NBA) July 10, 2022

If you want to catch the rookie’s next game live, the Rockets play again Monday night against the Spurs. Until then, we’ll just have to be content laughing at all the teams who passed on him.

Stats from Saturday

PLAYER	RESULT	PTS	FG (3PT)	FT	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	MIN
Mychal Mulder (MIA)	88-78 W vs. BOS	23	7-12 (5-7)	4-6	11	1	0	2	4	27
Brandon Boston Jr. (LAC)	94-76 W vs. MEM	15	4-8 (3-5)	4-6	3	2	3	1	3	22
TyTy Washington Jr. (HOU)	90-88 W vs. OKC	9	4-10 (1-5)	0-0	3	2	1	0	1	21
Nate Sestina (SAC)	94-92 L vs. ORL	4	1-2 (0-1)	2-4	1	1	2	0	1	14
Johnny Juzang (UTA)	72-66 W vs. ATL	3	1-6 (0-4)	1-2	4	1	0	1	2	23
Davion Mintz (WAS)	105-91 L vs. DET	DNP – CD	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Shaedon Sharpe (POR)	85-68 W vs. NOP	DNP – INJ	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Today in the NBA Summer League

• 3:00 EST (ESPN) – Pacers vs. Kings
• 3:30 EST (NBA TV) – 76ers vs. Nets
• 5:00 EST (ESPN2) – Bulls vs. Knicks
• 5:30 EST (NBA TV) – Wizards (Davion Mintz) vs. Suns (Olivier Sarr)
• 7:00 EST (ESPNU) – Nuggets (Kellan Grady) vs. Cavaliers (Ashton Hagans)
• 7:30 EST (NBA TV) – Warriors vs. Spurs
• 9:00 EST (ESPNU) – Timberwolves (Kahlil Whitney) vs. Grizzlies
• 9:30 EST (NBA TV) – Hornets (Nick Richards) vs. Lakers (Sacha Killeya-Jones)