Nate Ament just wrapped up his NBA Summer League run, and if you blinked, you might’ve missed the absolute drama that unfolded on July 18! The Milwaukee Bucks snatched a nail-biting 96-94 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Las Vegas, a game so tight it was tied an insane nine times. This wasn’t just another game for Ament, the No. 13 overall pick, it was his fifth and final Summer League showing, and man, did it have its ups and downs.
Ament’s First Half Firepower Was Electric
Right from the jump, Ament, the former Tennessee star, came out absolutely aggressive. He was everywhere early on, either scoring or dishing out assists on the Bucks’ first eight points of the game. You could tell he was feeling it! He kept that momentum rolling into the second quarter, burying a huge 3-pointer that pushed him to 12 points. That bucket was massive, marking his second straight double-digit scoring game after a slow start in his first three Summer League appearances. By halftime, Ament had a solid 12 points, pulled down four rebounds, dished out two assists, and even snagged a steal on incredibly efficient 5-of-6 shooting. But you know how fast Summer League can be, right? That pace also led to three turnovers for the rookie. And talk about a swing: Philadelphia went on a wild 22-2 run to close out the half, suddenly leading 51-50 at the break. What a momentum shift!
The Second Half Fade and a New Bucks Hero
After that fiery first half, Ament unfortunately went quiet. He managed just three more rebounds in the entire second half, and the scoring disappeared. It was a tough break, especially after such a promising start. But that’s when Brayden Burries, the No. 10 overall pick, decided enough was enough. Burries absolutely took over for Milwaukee, becoming the focal point of their offense when it mattered most. It came down to the wire, with the 76ers’ Gerald Ayayi coolly sinking free throws to tie the game at 94-94 with just 9.6 seconds left on the clock. You could feel the tension! But Burries, with ice in his veins, took the ball and drove hard for the game-winner, sealing the victory for the Bucks. He led all scorers with an incredible 27 points on 9-for-18 shooting, while Ayayi paced Philadelphia with 22 points on 7-for-13 shooting.
Ament closed out his Summer League journey with a final stat line of 12 points and seven rebounds in 26 minutes for this game. It was a mixed bag for the rookie, showing flashes of brilliance in the first half but a quiet finish. Burries, though, definitely ended the night as the hero. What a way to cap off Summer League action, seeing these young guys fight down to the wire! You gotta wonder what that clutch performance means for Burries going forward, and how Ament will build on those strong first-half moments.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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