Rookie Bruce Thornton scored a game-high 27 points to lead the Houston Rockets to a 97-86 victory over the host Denver Nuggets on Friday in an NBA summer league opener at the Pavilion in Las Vegas.
Thornton, the No. 31 pick of the 2026 draft, shot 7-for-18 from the field, including three 3-pointers, and was a 7-for-7 from the free throw line. Isaiah Crawford provided a strong all-around performance with 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks for the Rockets. Quadir Copeland added 14 points and seven boards, while Tristen Newton chipped in 13 points.
Second-round pick Bryce Hopkins, selected 49th, led the Nuggets with 24 points on an efficient 9-of-13 shooting. KJ Simpson finished with 17 points and a game-high nine assists. Second-rounder Trevon Brazile, the No. 35 pick, grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds to go with five points.
Denver closed the third quarter on a high note when DeJon Jarreau hit a 3-pointer with two seconds remaining to cut Houston's lead to 68-67. However, the Rockets took control in the final period, outscoring the Nuggets 29-19. A 3-pointer by Thornton with 5:59 left pushed the lead to 81-73, and Houston maintained a comfortable advantage the rest of the way.
Up next: The Nuggets will face the Minnesota Timberwolves at 7:30 p.m. ET, while the Rockets will take on the Toronto Raptors at 9:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. Both games will be at the Pavilion.
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