The 2026 NBA Summer League is heating up, and Day 3 showcased some impressive performances from up-and-coming talent. While some star rookies took a rest, others stepped up to the plate, delivering standout performances that left a lasting impression.
One of the most notable players was Labaron Philon Jr., a point guard-forward tandem for the Philadelphia 76ers. Philon Jr. was on fire, scoring 24 points and leading the Sixers to an overtime win over the Pacers. His mid-range pull-up jumper was nearly unstoppable, and his footwork off the first step was impressive. This is the second game where he has been a crucial impact for the team, and he's adjusted to the NBA pace well after playing two seasons at Alabama.
Another standout performer was Johni Broome, who played solid defense and owned the boards for the 76ers. Broome was very streaky in the pick-and-pop, only connecting on 1-for-7 from 3-point range, but he played solid defense and owned the boards. Broome finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists in 33 minutes.
In the Atlantic Division, the Atlanta Hawks dominated the Nets with a strong defensive performance. Zuby Ejiofor, the No. 23 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, was everywhere defensively for the Hawks. His defense of ball screens and his drop coverage off the switch translate well to the NBA, and he's finding his range offensively off the block. Ejiofor finished with 13 points, six rebounds, three blocks, and two steals in the Hawks' win over the Nets.
On the other side of the court, the Brooklyn Nets were without Egor Demin and Mikel Brown Jr., and Chaney Johnson stepped up. Johnson finished with 20 points and had two impressive dunks. The Nets came up short, falling to the Hawks 83-76, but Johnson got a lot of offensive touches in the paint and was everywhere defensively. He also finished with 10 rebounds and five steals in his second Summer League game.
In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers dominated the Mavericks with a strong performance from Arthur Kaluma. The second-year player out of Texas did a little bit of everything, finishing with a game-high 34 points and adding five rebounds in the 91-70 win over the Mavericks. The 6-foot-8 forward also hit six 3s and was 11-for-16 from the field. Kaluma had 18 points last night against the Thunder and appeared to have fresh legs with how well he ran the floor and finished through contact.
In other Summer League action, Trevor Keels had the hot hand and put on a shooting clinic for the Miami Heat. Keels was the No. 42 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and has played limited minutes with the Knicks and Heat during the NBA season. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard finished with 32 points in 30 minutes and went 6-for-10 from 3-point range. He also added four rebounds and two assists and only committed one turnover.
Overall, Day 3 of the 2026 NBA Summer League showcased some impressive performances from up-and-coming talent. While some star rookies took a rest, others stepped up to the plate, delivering standout performances that left a lasting impression. It will be interesting to see how these players develop and progress throughout the season.
