Jeff Bottari/NBAE via Getty Images
The 2023 Summer League finals have been set.
Emoni Bates and the Cleveland Cavaliers will face Cam Whitmore and the Houston Rockets Monday for the Summer League title.
The Cavaliers qualified with a 102-99 overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets Saturday, while the Houston Rockets made it past the semifinals by defeating the Utah Jazz 115-101.
Here are some of the hottest takes from Saturday’s Summer League Action.
Emoni Bates makes his case for a starting spot
Second-round pick Emoni Bates started off hot and stayed hot.
He recorded 13 points in the first half on his way to a total of 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including 4-of-5 from behind the arc. Bates added seven rebounds to help lead the Cavs to the final round.
NBA @NBA
Emoni Bates catches, fires, and hits the 3️⃣
Bates up to 13 PTS, 5 REB on 5-7 FG in the semifinal contest! #NBA2KSummerLeague pic.twitter.com/kenNnIT37N
Bates’ performance led fans to start imagining what his shot would look like for the Cavs during the regular season.
C-PAYNE☆ @corycpayne
I would give Wade’s spot to Emoni Bates or Isaiah Mobley in a heart beat. #LetEmKnow
PrettyBoy Swavv 🥀 @realkaiyoung
Emoni Bates him bruh. Gone head pencil him in that starting lineup at the three.
Judah Is King @JudahTheLion25
If Emoni Bates plays to his potential man the Cavs gone be a young super team Golden State Vibes
Isaiah Mobley is on the rise
Never say Summer League action is boring.
Mobley knocked down the game-winning shot in overtime to end a nail-biting back-and-forth battle with the Nets despite a late surge from Brooklyn.
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
ISAIAH MOBLEY CALLED GAME 😤 pic.twitter.com/iavQTyFYkV
Mobley spent most of last season in the G League. His 12 appearances in Cleveland were scattered throughout the season and limited to an average of seven minutes a night, during which put up a modest 2.6 points per game.
His Summer League performance now has fans noting how his game has improved and calling for him to get another chance in the NBA next season.
Geeked @StrictlyGeeked
Bates and Isaiah Mobley 👀 #LetEmKnow
Blicky Rubio @JalenBlackAss
Dare I say Isaiah Mobley looking nice the whole summer league bro definitely been in the gym
Cam Whitmore trends toward “draft steal” status
The Rockets’ No. 20 pick led the Rockets to the Summer League finals by racking up 25 points on 9-of-17 shooting. Whitmore went 3-for-3 from the foul line and added a trio of three-pointers.
Houston Rockets @HoustonRockets
What a night for Cam Whitmore!
🔥 25 PTS | 2 BLK pic.twitter.com/Nzy0r1LVa6
Whitmore’s ability to pull the Rockets ahead to a comfortable 14-point cushion over the Jazz had fans wondering if he went too low in the draft at No. 20.
sean @SeanNeutron
Whitmore is on FIRE.
He’s drilling 3’s, dropping dimes and forcing turnovers.
At 20th pick, what a damn steal.
Dom Lawson @Lawson2013
Houston getting Cam Whitmore at #20 was an absolute steal. That dude is NBA ready
Daren @darenhaha
Cam Whitmore at 20 was such a steal 🥹 #Rockets
BeardedAkhi🌊 @beardedakhi1
I’m still shocked that Whitmore fell to 20. That boy is easy top 10, possibly even top 5 of that draft class. Rockets got a steal.
Mobley and Bates will face off against Whitmore when the Summer League championship takes place Monday at 9 p.m. ET.