Kobe Brown shows star power for LA Clippers in Summer League with 35-point performance #Kobe #Brown #shows #star #power #Clippers #Summer #League #35point #performance

Kobe Brown thought he deserved to go higher in the NBA draft, and he’s beginning to show why.

Brown, the final pick in the first round at No. 30 overall, is proving he has a chance to make an impact as a rookie for the Los Angeles Clippers after putting together one of the more complete game lines in Las Vegas. He scored 35 points on seven 3-pointers Friday night to go along with eight rebounds, four steals, three assists and two blocks in a 102-91 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Through four games, the Missouri product is averaging 17.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks and seemingly is making his mark as a rotational player for the Clippers. The Clippers close out the summer on Sunday when they face the Los Angeles Lakers.

Ausar Thompson, right, hugs family and friends after being selected fifth overall by the Detroit Pistons during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 22, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

The Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers used lottery picks on players who should make their biggest early impact on defense while the rest of the Central Division teams sat out the first round of Thursday’s draft.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler talks during a news conference, Sunday, June 11, 2023, in Denver. Miami takes on the Denver Nuggets in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

DENVER (AP) — The Miami Heat are searching for inspiration anywhere they can find it, including a tennis great’s record-setting win at the French Open and even their mascot’s quick rebound from a few punches to the face.

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro takes part in practice for Game 2 of the NBA Finals, Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

MIAMI (AP) — Since breaking his hand in the first round of the NBA playoffs, Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro has been relegated to offering his teammates support in conspicuously gaudy outfits — topics of much conversation — from the sidelines.

FILE -Toronto Raptors assistant coach Adrian Griffin takes charge of the team against the Detroit Pistons in NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023. The Milwaukee Bucks are finalizing a deal to make Adrian Griffin their head coach after he spent the last five seasons as a Toronto Raptors assistant, a person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press, Saturday, May 27, 2023.(Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Adrian Griffin is getting his first head coaching job at the same place where he started out as an assistant.

“It feels great,” the 6-foot-8 small forward said following his 35-point performance. “I’m blessed to be in this position.”

When told after the game that he had seven 3s, Brown seemed surprised and joked, “That’s more than I had at Mizzou.”

Brown averaged 15.8 points per game as a senior for the Tigers.

With some of the top draft picks now resting or sidelined with injuries at Summer League, it has given other, lower drafted players a chance to shine.

Denver forward Hunter Tyson, the lowest of the three drafted rookies on the Nuggets’ roster at No. 37 overall, is one of those taking advantage.

The Clemson product had an enormous game on Friday night, knocking down seven 3-pointers and scoring 31 points on a blistering 11-of-13 shooting performance to lead the defending NBA champion Nuggets to a 112-81 rout of the Miami Heat.

Tyson entered the weekend seventh in Summer League scoring at 21.8 points per game through four contests while shooting 58.3% from the field, including an impressive 51.7% from beyond the 3-point arc.

In Summer League playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers face the Brooklyn Nets in one semifinal Sunday, while the Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets meet in the other. The winners will play Monday night in the championship game.