2026 NBA Summer League: Best Games to Watch with Sling TV
NBA fans will get their first look at a new class of promising prospects at the Las Vegas summer league. Here’s a look at the best games you can stream live with Sling.
Just weeks after the New York Knicks earned their first world championship in over 50 years, future stars of the NBA will take their first steps toward greatness at the NBA Summer League. All 30 teams will participate in the Las Vegas Summer League, which takes place July 9-19. This gives fans the first chance to see top picks from the 2026 NBA Draft, which experts consider one of the best in years.
ESPN and ESPN2 will carry select games, which means you can watch them live with a Sling subscription. Here’s a look at all the best games to watch on ESPN/ESPN2 with Sling, along with all the ways to watch them. To subscribe to a 1 Day Pass with access to ESPN and ESPN2, use the link below.
How to watch the 2026 NBA Summer League on ESPN/ESPN2 with Sling
https://youtu.be/YyFWQwN0nYw?si=S-oNgN4GQYZFzlPV
Whether you just want to watch the Summer League debut of your favorite team’s top pick, or want to scout all of the teams during the tournament, Sling lets you do that. If you’re looking to just watch a game or two, subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass. Or, if you want to watch the full tournament along with other top channels, get a monthly subscription to Sling Essentials or Sling Orange. To watch the 2026 NBA Summer League on ESPN/ESPN2 with Sling, subscribe today!
Top 2026 NBA Summer League Games on ESPN/ESPN2
Thursday, July 9
San Antonio Spurs vs. Atlanta Hawks
- Time/Channel: 3:30 p.m. CT (4:30 p.m. ET) on ESPN2.
- What makes it compelling: This game features former Mississippi State standout RJ Melendez suiting up for the Spurs after an active California Classic run where he averaged 4.3 points and 3.0 blocks per game (another shot-blocker for the Spurs, great). He faces an Atlanta Hawks squad boasting a deep big-man rotation that includes first-round draft pick Zuby Ejiofor and 7-foot Estonian center Henri Veesaar.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors
- Time/Channel: 7:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. CT) on ESPN.
- What makes it compelling: This opening-night game is a "college mates to pro foes" reunion featuring Michigan Wolverines national champions Morez Johnson Jr. (No. 9 pick for the Mavericks) and Yaxel Lendeborg (No. 11 pick for the Warriors). Lendeborg enters the game following a spectacular California Classic debut where he scored 19 points on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting performance, including four 3-pointers.
https://youtu.be/xUx3NoMBsKI?si=8oIQBdO1wZqwEx6w
Washington Wizards vs. Utah Jazz
- Time/Channel: 9:00 p.m. ET (8:00 p.m. CT) on ESPN.
- What makes it compelling: This is the marquee clash of opening night, putting the top two picks of the 2026 NBA Draft—Washington's AJ Dybantsa and Utah's Darryn Peterson—on the court together for the first time. Dybantsa led the NCAA in scoring with 25.5 points per game at BYU, while Peterson has been absolutely electric in early Summer League action, posting 28 points in his Salt Lake City Summer League debut and following it up with 25 points and 12 assists in his second game.
Saturday, July 11
Charlotte Hornets vs. New Orleans Pelicans
- Time/Channel: 3:00 p.m. CT (4:00 p.m. ET) on ESPN.
- What makes it compelling: This game features Mississippi State's Cameron Matthews suited up for the Charlotte squad alongside Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner, both of whom are looking to build on Charlotte's Summer League championship from last season. They will match up against the Pelicans' roster, which features 2026 draft pick and SMU product Jaron Pierre Jr..
San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks
- Time/Channel: 5:00 p.m. CT (6:00 p.m. ET) on ESPN.
- What makes it compelling: Billed as a Las Vegas rematch of last season's NBA Finals contenders, this game carries high stakes for individual prospects looking to carve out rotation spots on veteran-dominated rosters. It highlights Spurs forward Carter Bryant, who gained valuable NBA Finals experience last season, matching up against physical Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara.
Sunday, July 12
https://youtu.be/-WRJ3Uf9VGk?si=J0wBrq4x1M8GDl2h
Charlotte Hornets vs. Boston Celtics
- Time/Channel: 4:00 p.m. CT (5:00 p.m. ET) on ESPN2.
- What makes it compelling: The game showcases the Celtics' 20-year-old Spanish wing Hugo Gonzalez, a stellar defender who logged a rookie-high plus-11.9 net rating in 74 NBA games last season and is expected to take on an expanded offensive role. He will share the court with Celtics undrafted sharpshooter Tucker DeVries and the physical frontcourt of the Hornets, which features Michael Ajayi, who led the Big East with 11.1 rebounds per game.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Milwaukee Bucks
- Time/Channel: 8:00 p.m. CT (9:00 p.m. ET) on ESPN.
- What makes it compelling: This game features Milwaukee's No. 19 draft pick Nate Ament, a highly touted forward from Tennessee who is a focal point of the post-Giannis Antetokounmpo era in Milwaukee. Ament and fellow rookie Brayden Burries will test themselves against San Antonio's physical rookie big man Tarris Reed Jr. and RJ Melendez.
Sunday, July 19
NBA Summer League Championship Game
- Time/Channel: 8:00 p.m. CT (9:00 p.m. ET) on ESPN.
- What makes it compelling: Pitting the top two surviving teams of the tournament against each other, this final game crowns the Summer League Champion. It is the ultimate stage for young rookies, sophomores, and undrafted players to show out one last time before regular-season training camps begin.
Follow this link for the complete Summer League Schedule.
To watch the 2026 Las Vegas Summer League for the best price on Sling, use the link below to subscribe to Sling Essentials with ESPN and more.