The 2025 NBA Summer League season concludes on Sunday night at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas with an intriguing matchup between the Sacramento Kings and the Charlotte Hornets.
The headline of this article already gave this away, but if you’re wondering about whether you can bet on NBA Summer League games, yes, you sure can.
Both these squads have gone undefeated through five games in Vegas.
No. 4 overall pick Kon Knueppel out of Duke has flashed the shooting touch that made him a top-five pick as well as a solid all-around game for the Hornets, while 23-year-old former Colorado State star Nique Clifford has turned heads for the Kings after going No. 24 overall in last month’s NBA Draft.
In fact, ESPN’s Kevin Pelton ranked Clifford as the best rookie he has seen at Summer League, ahead of No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, who is second on Pelton’s list, and Charlotte’s Liam McNeeley.
Kings vs. Hornets NBA Summer League Odds
| DK | FD | bet365 | |
| SAC spread | -2.5 (-105) | -2 (-112) | -2 (-110) |
| CHA spread | +2.5 (-115) | +2 (-108) | +2 (-110) |
| SAC ML | -130 | -142 | -120 |
| CHA ML | +110 | +116 | +100 |
| Total | 187 (o-108; u-112) | 187.5 (o-112; u-112) | 187.5 (o-110; u-110) |
How to Watch NBA Summer League Finals: Kings vs. Hornets
- Tipoff: 10 p.m. ET
- Channel: ESPN
NBA Summer League Finals Pick, Best Bets
How They Got Here, Players To Watch For Hornets, Kings
In the semifinals, Sacramento beat Toronto 98-88 thanks to a 36-point night by Isaac Jones, while Charlotte blew out Oklahoma City, 109-80.
In addition to Knueppel, the Hornets’ summer league roster is led by K.J. Simpson and Jaylen Sims. Simpson scored just 8 points on 3-for-9 shooting vs. OKC, but Charlotte got more than enough from Knueppel (17 points) and Sims (25 points on 10-for-14 FG shooting) vs. the Thunder to reach Sunday’s final.
Clifford was expected to be a solid rookie contributor to the Kings, and he’s more than looked the part in Vegas. Last year’s first-round pick, Devin Carter, has also had a solid showing to date for Sacramento.
NBA Summer League Finals Prediction: Hornets To Upset Kings
Both these teams have been impressive this summer, but I’m going with the Hornets, who are not only 5-0, but have won their last two games by 25 and 29 points.
Knueppel has been the best player on the floor for extended stretches since a rough Summer League debut, and I expect him and Clifford to put on a show in tonight’s game.
I’m leaning toward Charlotte, however, because of how well Simpson and Sims have played alongside Knueppel.
Give me the Hornets, as I like Knueppel to once again show out and Simpson to play more like he did vs. the Spurs on July 17, when he finished with 19 points, five rebounds and six assists, than he did vs. the Thunder in the semifinals.
I don’t recommend wagering more than a half-unit or so, though, as there are major questions about how both of these teams will allocate minutes in this game.
Best bet:
- Hornets moneyline (+116 at FanDuel) — 0.5 units
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