Magic: Kai Sotto Finally Makes NBA Summer League Debut, Blocks Lottery Pick

Kai Sotto - NBL Rd 13 - Illawarra v Adelaide
(Photo : Jenny Evans/Getty Images) WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - Kai Sotto of the 36ers warms up ahead of the round 13 NBL match between Illawarra Hawks and Adelaide 36ers at WIN Entertainment Centre on February 25, 2022, in Wollongong, Australia.

Kai Sotto finally made his much-awaited debut for the Orlando Magic in the NBA Summer League, much to the delight of the Filipino fans in attendance and worldwide.

Sotto put up 6 points in 3-of-7 shooting, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 1 assist in 13 minutes of action, alongside 2 turnovers.

The 7-foot-3 entered during the beginning of the second quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday evening at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

The Filipino center was held scoreless in the first half, but he grabbed two boards and rejected one shot.

Sotto finally scored his first bucket in the third quarter, nailing a right-handed hook putback with a minute left in the period. It was the end-of-quarter highlight in the ESPN broadcast.

The popular 21-year-old made the highlight reel during the game's closing stages, ferociously dunking the ball off a feed from undrafted UCLA guard Tyger Campbell.

Sotto also notably blocked a layup attempt by Blazers' lottery pick Shaedon Sharpe, one of Portland's best young talents selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

He spoke to the media after the game and gave a lengthy interview.

Read more: Orlando Magic Assures That Kai Sotto Will Play In Next Summer League Game

Orlando Magic Ends NBA Summer League Winless

Despite the addition of Sotto on the floor, the Magic dropped their fourth straight game in the NBA Summer League, losing to the Blazers, 88-71.

The team already played its last game in Las Vegas, as they are now eliminated from playoff contention in the off-season tournament.

Related Article: Filipino Fans Furious After Kai Sotto Fails To Log Minutes For Orlando   

© 2023 Sportsworldnews.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Real Time Analytics