We’re roughly four months away from Michigan basketball, but we were able to take a walk down memory lane Monday night when three former Wolverines — Derrick Walton Jr., Duncan Robinson and Moritz Wagner — kicked off their 2018 NBA Summer League play in Sacramento.
Walton Jr. and Robinson, both members of the Miami Heat, fell to the Golden State Warriors, 79-68. It turned out to be a nickel-and-dime outing for both.
Walton Jr., who played in 16 games last season for Miami and received a qualifying offer in late June to become a restricted free agent this month, scored five points on 1-for-12 shooting in 32 minutes. This is the second consecutive Summer League action for the Detroit native, who played last year with the Orlando Magic before signing with the Heat.
Robinson, who signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Heat but will play in the Summer League, attempted just four shots in 20 minutes, all of which came from beyond the three-point line. He finished with just three points, a rebound and two assists with a +/- of -4.
Somebody should really tell the Heat what happens when Robinson scores six points or more. That could come in handy.
In the league’s nightcap, Wagner enjoyed a bit more success than his former teammates.
The Lakers’ first round draft pick scored 23 points, tied with Josh Hart for the team lead, with seven rebounds. He shot 6-for-18 from the floor and was 9-for-10 at the free-throw line. Despite Wagner’s efforts, the Lakers couldn’t overcome Sacramento’s young guns, losing 98-93.
Wagner’s Summer League debut did not have the most glamorous start, though. He was absolutely posterized by the Sacramento Kings’ second overall pick Marvin Bagley III in the opening minutes of the game.
ENTER: MARVIN BAGLEY pic.twitter.com/XB9hqn82DP
— Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) July 3, 2018
Yeah, it was a good one. But it was fitting to see Wagner bounce back and put together a well-rounded effort in his debut.
All three former Wolverines started in their respective games Monday night. They’ll play Tuesday night in Sacramento against each other, when the Heat and Lakers tip-off at 9 p.m.