Zags in Summer League: Collins and J3 on Collision Course; Mathews’ Big Night

The NBA Summer League has its Final Four set, with the semi-finals taking place on Monday and the championship game on Tuesday night. Two former Bulldogs are still alive and another had a standout performance in bracket play.

Jordan Mathews didn’t get a chance to play much in the Los Angeles Clippers’ three preliminary games and didn’t play at all in their first round bracket game. But the Clippers lost that first round game. Because all teams are guaranteed five games, this meant that the Clippers played an extra consolation game against the Atlanta Hawks where both teams sat their stars and played their role players extended minutes.

Jordan Mathews got the start and made the most of his 24 minutes on Thursday night. Mathews led the Clippers with 18 points on 7-for-14 shooting (1-for-7 from deep) along with four rebounds and two steals. He only committed one turnover.

Mathews played in the G-League last season and should get another shot there next season if that is the route he chooses.

Johnathan Williams put together a solid performance in the Los Angeles Lakers’ second round win (LA had a bye into Round 2). Williams scored eight points (3-7 FG, 1-2 3pt) and grabbed eight rebounds to go with a steal and a blocked shot. The Lakers defeated the Clippers 82-69 to get to the quarterfinals.

In the quarterfinals, the Lakers took on the Detroit Pistons and made quick work of them. They got off to a 33-14 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. Williams was solid again, scoring eight points on 4-7 shooting in 23 minutes. He grabbed five rebounds, blocked a shot and didn’t commit a turnover. The Lakers won 101-78 to get to the semi-finals.

On the other side of the bracket, Zach Collins continues to battle through a sore ankle and a broken nose. The Blazers, like the Lakers, had a bye into the second round. They took on the Atlanta Hawks, and Zach Collins got to go one-on-one with a familiar foe in Jock Landale. Collins finished the night with eight points on 4-10 shooting, along with six rebounds and two blocks as the Blazers won 95-69. Landale was held to two points on 1-6 shooting in 20 minutes.

The Blazers matched up with the Boston Celtics in the quarterfinals on Sunday, where Collins put together another strong performance. He was just short of a double-double, scoring 11 points (5-9 FG) and grabbing eight rebounds. He also blocked three shots in the Blazers 95-80 victory, securing a spot in the semi-finals.

With that, Monday’s semi-final match-ups are now set. On one side, the Lakers will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (5:30 pm). On the other side, the Blazers will take on the Memphis Grizzlies (7:30 pm). If the Lakers and Blazers both pull off victories, we will get a Las Vegas Summer League championship game of Johnathan Williams vs Zach Collins on Tuesday night.