Kai Sotto never got to play at all in Orlando's Summer League debut. From the Magic's Facebook page |
MANILA—Just when Filipino fans were ready to see Kai Sotto "shock the world" in the NBA Summer League on an early Sunday morning, at least many of them were surprised instead.
Orlando coach Dylan Murphy opted not to field the seven-foot-three Filipino wunderkind at all in a 78-89 loss to Detroit to open its Summer League campaign at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Despite being one of only two players listed as a center in the lineup, Sotto rode on the bench all game long as Murphy thought about going small ball and started power forward DJ Wilson at the five instead of Sotto and Robert Baker.
Baker eventually logged in almost 15 minutes of playing time and finished with eight points, going 2-for-2 from beyond the arc, two rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal.
Wilson, on the other hand, struggled and only had four points, all on free throws, with three rebounds, two assists, one block, and two steals.
However, the Magic fizzled in the second half as the Pistons held them to just 13 points in the third quarter and held them at bay in the fourth.
Jalen Duren led Detroit with 17 points, eight rebounds, and one assist, while James Wiseman added 16 points, 12 rebounds, one assist, and two blocks.
Kevon Harris led Orlando with 21 points, six rebounds, one assist, and two steals.
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