By R.L. Bynum
It’s hard to understand why Justin Jackson wasn’t able to get more than a 10-day contract in the NBA contract last season. All Jackson can do to change that is to take advantage of his opportunities to show what he can do, and he did that Tuesday night.
Jackson started and scored a team-high 24 points and five 3-pointers to help the Boston Celtics’ Summer League team hold off a big Golden State rally for a 103–92 victory in Las Vegas. Jackson, who pulled down three rebounds, scored 11 points in the first quarter.
Jackson wasn’t going to worry about where he might end up next season. He didn’t want to say how a game like that might help him.
“I’ll let that be whatever the GMs and the coaches say,” Jackson said. “For me, I just tried to come out here, play hard, hit some shots, and do whatever I need to do, whatever the coach asked me to do.”
Jackson spent most of last season in the G League playing for the Texas Legends, the Dallas Mavericks’ affiliate. He played briefly with the Boston Celtics and had two short stints with the Phoenix Suns.
It’s rare that a player with five years of professional experience plays in the Summer League, so it puts Jackson in a unique situation.
“Just a bunch of young guys trying to find their way in this league,” Jackson said. “So for me, I just tried to come out here have some fun, do whatever I need to do to help the team to help myself. And these guys are gonna be just fine.”
Earlier this month, Jackson helped the United States World Cup qualifying Team advance to the second round of the Americas Qualifiers.
Day’Ron Sharpe continued his good play for Brooklyn, collecting 13 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in 23 minutes of the Nets’ 120–84 loss to Memphis.
Garrison Brooks, New York Knicks center
101–88 July 8 win vs. Golden State — 3 minutes, 0 points, -10
101–69 July 10 win vs. Chicago — 3 minutes, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 3 rebounds, 1 foul, +4
88–77 Monday loss vs. Portland — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
— 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 14 vs. Orlando Magic at Thomas & Mack Center, NBATV
— Game TBA Saturday or Sunday
Summer League statistics — 2 games, 0–1 FG, 3 rebounds
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Justin Jackson, Boston Celtics forward
111–109 Monday win vs. Milwaukee — 25 minutes, 10 points, 2–8 FG, 2–8 3FG, 4–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, +5
103–92 Tuesday win over Golden State — Started; 29 minutes, 24 points, 9–14 FG, 5–10 3FG, 1–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, +11
— 3:30 p.m. Thursday vs. Memphis, NBATV
— Game TBA Saturday or Sunday
Summer League statistics — 2 games, 17.0 points, 50FG%, 38.9 3P%, 5–5 FT, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists
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Brady Manek, Charlotte Hornets forward
96–84 July 8 loss vs. Indiana — 12 minutes, 3 points, 1–3 FG, 1–3 3FG, 3 rebounds, +10
89–86 July 10 double OT win vs. Los Angeles Lakers — 12 minutes, 8 points, 3–9 FG, 2–7 3FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +21
— 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 13 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers at Cox Pavilion, NBATV
— 6 p.m. Thursday, July 14 vs. Chicago Bulls at Cox Pavilion, ESPN2
—Game TBA Saturday or Sunday
Summer League statistics — 2 games, 5.5 points, 33.3 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 3.5 rebounds, 0.5 of an assist, 0.5 of a block
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Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
94–90 July 8 loss vs. Milwaukee — Started; 28 minutes, 8 points, 4–8 FG, 0–2 3FG, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 fouls, 3 steals, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +6
91–84 July 10 win vs. Philadelphia 76ers — Started; 28 minutes, 13 points, 5–10 FG, 0–2 3FG, 3–6 FT, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 3 steals, 5 turnovers, 2 blocks, +8
120–84 Tuesday loss vs. Memphis — Started; 23 minutes, 13 points, 5–12 FG, 2–3 3FG, 1–3 FT, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 2 blocks, -16
— 10 p.m. Thursday vs. Minnesota Timberwolves at Cox Pavilion, ESPN
— Game TBA Saturday or Sunday
Summer League statistics — 3 games, 11.3 points, 46.7FG%, 28.6 3P% 44.4%FT, 10.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.3 steals, 1.7 blocks
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