GAMENOTES: Summer League Game #2 Charlotte Hornets (1-0) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (0-1) - July 12th, 2025

Kalkbrenner's block saves the Hornets from a Vegas bad beat

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FINAL

Charlotte Hornets 96 (2-0) - Philadelphia 76ers 94 (0-2)

THE BOXSCORE

WHY DID THEY WIN? (AND OTHER IMPORTANT STORIES)

• Ryan Kalkbrenner blocked a sprinting Judah Mintz attempt to tie the game with seconds left to seal a game that the Hornets seemed desperate to give away on defense and at the free throw line late. Charlotte controlled most of this game until turnovers and issues containing the drive allowed the Sixers back into it.

• Neither Kon Knueppel nor VJ Edgecombe were available to play dampening the intrigue factor significantly.

• Made shots were a little tougher to come by but KJ Simpson had 19 points, MJ Walker Jr. was 6-9 from deep for 18 points off the bench. Simpson added 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Another strong showing from KJ. Defensively there is still a lot of work to do. He racked up 5 fouls and couldn’t do much with Mintz’ dribble drive. But he had command of the half court offense and was making shots all over the floor. There are times when you can squint and see some mini Tre Mann in his game.

• Liam McNeeley got the start in place of Kon Knueppel (out). He scored 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal on 4-11, 3-8. His numbers aren’t as gaudy as game 1 but he showcased so many mature skills with the ball in his hands. His communication on the floor is top notch and he and Sion James do such a great job of keeping things organized on the floor.

• Tidjane Salaun struggled from beyond the arc (1-6) but he was aggressive with his dribble drive scoring 16 points to go with 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. He even hit Kalkbrenner on an alley oop as a PnR ball handler. He is representative of my 30k foot take on Hornets Summer League so far: lots of guys showcasing development, heart and hustle that is changing the narrative on their game and the Hornets as a serious development destination.

• Hornets at 2-0 with a game Monday against what will likely be the Flagg-less Mavs. A Summer League title remains in reach but with these margins of victory I think they’ll need to go 4-0.

NEWS AND NOTES

• Kon Knueppel ruled out pregame as a precaution from a previous injury

  • From Hornets PR: "Kon Knueppel will not be active for today’s summer league game vs. PHI after making his debut last night vs. UTA. This was anticipated as part of his buildup following a right ankle injury that occurred during the predraft process. Knueppel is expected to return to the Hornets lineup on 7/14 vs. Dallas."

  • The right call obviously but I’m sure the competitor in him wanted to get out there and shake off his rough start as soon as possible.

  • Everyone’s already making the joke that he’s already the perfect Hornet.

• VJ Edgecombe (left thumb sprain) also ruled out pregame

  • At least we don’t have to think about what could have been for now.

  • Everyone’s already making the joke that he’s the perfect Sixer.

• Josh Green in Vegas with his arm in a sling after having shoulder surgery.

• Liam McNeeley, the standout of Game 1, starts in place of Kon

THINGS I THINK I SAW

• 1st Quarter

  • Kalkbrenner gets to drop way back on Bona which is where he’s going to be way more effective.

  • HUSTLE: Liam gets on the floor for a loose ball that leads to a transition look for Salaun who is fouled.

  • Kalkbrenner stripped and almost stripped at the top of the key by Bona. He has to make quicker decisions and not show the ball.

  • KJ Simpson looking like Vegas Tre Mann out there.

  • 4:46 - GEEEZ. This drive by Salaun was so saucy. Leads to an and-1. Tidjane giving too many points away at the line but man his movement is so much more fluid.

  • Kalkbrenner has to take a very contested jump hook with the shot clock on his back and catches nothing but air.

  • KJ “ALVARADO” swipes the inbounds but smokes the layup.

  • 1:06 - Great skip pass to Walker for 3.

  • :54 - Liam comes out of nowhere for the board, Baugh great behind the back pass to Walker AGAIN for 3.

  • 09.6: Hornets have been VERY aggressive on D. A little too aggressive at the end of this quarter. Puts the Sixers on the line for freebies.

  • End of 1Q: 27-14 CHA - That’ll do!

• 2nd Quarter

  • Baugh drives and gets his shot blocked, probably not a great decision. But he sprints back in transition and blocks a 3PA! He got WAAAY up for that swat.

  • 6:30 - KJ Simpson bad pass. He’s played a little fast which works when he’s looking for his own shot but has worked less well when he’s looking for others.

  • This KJ, MJ, Sims group struggling to organize.

  • Sion James enters and immediately helps calm things down. I’ve like his ability to move the ball and make quick, good decisions.

  • 1:25 - Kalkbrenner has good instincts and good movement on the roll but he hasn’t been able to execute. He hasn’t been as impactful around the rim in this game. Bona, a very strong dude, goes through his chest for the bucket.

  • Liam navigates inside the arc so well. He has the natural smooth of speed/rhythm mixed with ball protection that leads to getting fouled.

  • MJ Walker your leading scorer of the 1st half after dropping 4 triples for 12 points!

• 3rd Quarter

  • 8:44 - NICE BLOCK by Kalkbrenner on the baseline. Stays vertical, no foul.

  • 8:38 - Okay, Kalkbrenner stays too vertical and too stationary and Bona swivels around him and YAMS it.

  • Kalkbrenner lets Broome get an open 3. He’s had good defensive moments but has also been abused at every level. He’s had the most “oh, okay this is a new game” moments of any of the new draftees. Still early but I haven’t seen someone that’s going to seriously compete with Mason and Moose for early PT.

  • MJ Walker Jr. now 6 of 7 from downtown. FLAMES.

  • Walker lets Edwards get right by him, PJ Hall late to the party and Sixers threatening a 2nd half lead.

  • McNeeley checks back in and immediately hits a 3 pointer in the corenr to push the lead to 7 and then plays GREAT on ball D to force the 24 second violation.

  • :41 - HEY Kalkbrenner gets one back from Bona. Uses his length to block him on the uptake without fouling.

  • :16 - Kalkbrenner sets a great screen for Baugh who misses the layup over the help. Kalkbrenner untouched in the lane BUT HE DOESN’T ROLL HARD and lets the ball hit the ground. Defense recovers and he has to kick to the corner. That has to be a dunk.

• 4th Quarter

  • 9:06 - McNeeley SO LOUD on both ends. Talking to the defense from the weakside. Off the rebound, he’s running back getting open in the corner and letting Salaun know he’s open. BANGS THE CORNER 3. Dude has me clapping hard watching a summer league game.

  • Kalkbrenner does a better job getting a little further out on Broome. But boy is he slow.

  • MJ Walker turning it over and getting scorched on D

  • OHHHHHH KJJJJJJ. FANTASTIC TAKE off the long rebound. Goes up quick before the defender can react. Fouled. Love it.

  • 5:00 - the length, the strength, the take by Salaun. He’s so much smoother on the ball on these drives. ECHOES OF FREAKINESS.

  • 3:18 - CLUTCH AND-1 by Salaun over Broome puts the Hornets up 1

  • Sims nice job taking it to the rim quick on the scramble play. Hornets up 3. KJ not dealing with the ball pressure in the best way.

  • 2:01 - Salaun-Kalkbrenner PnR off the horns set. Salaun sends it up high to Kalkbrenner for the YAM! OKAY MAN. I WASN’T FAMILIAR WITH YOUR NEW GAME.

  • Salaun picks up the CHARGE! Sixers challenge boo. But it was a nice effort to even try. Working both ends.

    • Call overturned. Boo again.

  • The only thing the TJ hasn’t been able to do is hit the big momentum 3. Legler gets on him for being so deep.

  • :58 - KJ BIG TIME TRIPLE. Hornets up 3.

  • :22 - KJ drives hard and *gets bailed out* TAKES THE CONTACT. Hornets up 5 after two FTs

  • Hornets missed FTs killing them as they try to hang on to the lead. KJ and Tidjane go 1-2 in consecutive trips. Hornets lead down to 3.

  • :08 - Hornets foul but it got scary

  • INBOUNDS ISSUES. I think it was out on Tidjane but refs say it’s Hornets ball. Hornets get it into McNeeley.

  • :04 - MCNEELEY MISSES OHMIGOD. Hits the 2nd. Hornets up 2.

  • :00 - Mintz sprints down the floor. KALKBRENNER BLOCKS IT. HORNETS WIN! BRENNER BLOCK WINNER!!!

    • Shout out to Kalkbrenner from saving us from the nightmare that is Summer League OT.