Utah Jazz Fall To Hornets In Vegas Summer League Opener
Jul 11, 2025, 7:39 PM
Kyle Filipowski #22 of the Utah Jazz collides with Sion James #4 of the Charlotte Hornets (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
(Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz fell to the Charlotte Hornets 111-105 to open the Las Vegas Summer League.
The loss was the Jazz’s first of the summer after going a perfect 3-0 in Salt Lake City.
Related: Jazz Finish Salt Lake City Summer League With Unblemished Record
Filipowski’s Big Game Not Enough For Jazz Against Hornets
Kyle Filipowski continued his strong offseason, recording a summer league-high 32 points in Friday’s loss.
The second-year forward added six rebounds and five assists while shooting 12-17 from the floor, including 3-7 from the three-point line.
Kyle Filipowski dominating early 👀
He’s got 7 PTS in 5 MIN for the Jazz against the Hornets!#NBA2KSummerLeague on ESPN pic.twitter.com/2PJjaSCw70
— NBA (@NBA) July 11, 2025
Filipowski dominated Hornets’ second-round pick Ryan Kalkbrenner, holding the second-round pick to 10 points and five rebounds on 4-9 shooting.
The Jazz big man averaged 17.0 points and 11.3 rebounds per game in three appearances in Salt Lake City before Friday’s Vegas explosion.
The 2024 second-round draft pick narrowly missed out on the All-Rookie second-team after his first season in Utah.
Cody Williams Finds Rhythm In Second Half
Fellow 2024 draftee Cody Williams had a difficult first two quarters in Vegas, recording just five points on 2-6 shooting in the first half, including 1-5 from the three-point line.
However, the former lottery pick bounced back in the second half, scoring 16 points on 6-13 shooting, while adding two rebounds and a steal.
Summer slams? we like that 🤩 pic.twitter.com/0vbDVX48D6
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) July 12, 2025
Williams began summer league play well in Utah, displaying a higher level of aggression after appearing far too timid during his rookie season with the Jazz.
However, his energy dipped in his final Salt Lake City Summer League appearance, scoring just three points on 1-6 shooting in 24 minutes.
The Colorado product needs to add weight to his 6-foot-7, 190-pound frame before he can be fully judged as an NBA player, but Friday’s performance was a reminder that with improved effort, he should still be able to positively affect the game.
Walt Clayton Jr. Leaves Game With Hamstring Injury
Walt Clayton had his best outing of the summer league, recording 21 points, six rebounds, and three assists, but his night was cut short after suffering a hamstring injury late in the fourth quarter.
The guard showed improved finishing inside the arc in Vegas after shooting just 2-7 on two-point shots in Salt Lake City.
Clayton Jr. knocked down 4-7 field goal attempts inside the perimeter, displaying a series of pump fakes and step-throughs to get to his shots.
Walter Clayton Jr. busting out ALL the tricks on this drive 🤯
Pretty move from the Jazz First Round pick!#NBA2KSummerLeague on ESPN pic.twitter.com/9egzG0Ho7P
— NBA (@NBA) July 11, 2025
The hamstring issue is a tough blow to the Jazz, who are already missing several key summer league players due to injury.
Lottery pick Ace Bailey missed his second straight game due to hip flexor soreness. Two-way guard RJ Luis has yet to suit up for the Jazz due to left knee soreness, while John Tonje has yet to make his summer league appearances after suffering a sprained right ankle.
Utah Jazz 2025 Vegas Summer League Schedule
Sun: 7/13 – Jazz vs. Warriors – 8 p.m. ESPN2
Mon: 7/14 – Jazz vs. Spurs – 6:30 p.m. NBATV
Wed: 7/16 – Jazz vs. Wizards – 8 p.m. ESPN
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.Â
