Clippers Set Summer League Scoring Record as Keaton Wagler Ends Las Vegas Run in Style
Mike Goodpaster Published 18/07/2026
The Los Angeles Clippers finished their 2026 NBA Summer League schedule with a statement victory, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-120 in overtime on Friday. The win gave Los Angeles a 3-2 record and produced the highest-scoring game in Summer League history, with the Clippers' 128 points setting a new event record.
The result also added another encouraging chapter to the team's offseason evaluation, with rookie Keaton Wagler leading the offense in his return to the lineup. As attention shifts toward training camp, the performance gives Clippers fans another reason to believe the former Illinois standout could quickly become one of the rising stars in the NBA.
Key Takeaways
The Los Angeles Clippers concluded their Summer League with a record-breaking offensive performance, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime.
- The Clippers set a new NBA Summer League scoring record with 128 points in their overtime victory against the Timberwolves.
- Rookie Keaton Wagler led the Clippers' balanced attack with a game-high 26 points, showcasing his potential as a rising star.
- Despite a large deficit, the Minnesota Timberwolves mounted an impressive comeback in the fourth quarter to force overtime, demonstrating the promise of their young core.
Wagler leads balanced Clippers attack
Wagler finished with a game-high 26 points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in 28 minutes. The fifth overall pick shot 9-for-19 from the field, making two three-pointers and four of his five free throws. He returned after sitting out the Clippers' previous Summer League game against Washington for rest, showing little rust despite the brief absence.
While Wagler grabbed the headlines, Los Angeles received contributions throughout the roster. Sean Padulla nearly recorded a double-double with 24 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and six steals, including nine points during the two-minute overtime period. Nick Martinelli added 18 points and six rebounds, while Baba Miller contributed 15 points and six assists as the Clippers placed four players in double figures.
Los Angeles converted 55 percent of its field-goal attempts while dominating inside, holding a 56-36 edge in points in the paint and finishing with the advantage on the boards. The offensive balance allowed the Clippers to maintain an up-tempo style for most of the night, even after surrendering a large lead late in regulation.
Minnesota's young core shows promise
Minnesota refused to let the game slip away quietly despite trailing by as many as 27 points during the third quarter. The Timberwolves outscored the Clippers 40-23 in the fourth quarter, using improved defensive pressure and timely shot-making to erase the deficit and force overtime. Their resilience turned what appeared to be a one-sided contest into one of the most entertaining games of this year's Summer League.
Zyon Pullin led Minnesota with 18 points and eight assists, directing the offense throughout the comeback attempt. Rocco Zikarsky continued to impress with 16 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks, while Isaiah Evans scored 14 points. Jaylin Williams provided a major spark off the bench, finishing with 21 points to help fuel the fourth-quarter rally.
The game itself featured eight ties and 13 lead changes before Los Angeles finally took control in the extra session. Once overtime began, however, the Clippers quickly regained momentum by scoring 13 points in just two minutes to secure the victory and the Summer League scoring record.
Strong finish builds momentum for the regular season
Summer League results rarely predict regular-season success, but they often provide an early look at young players adapting to the professional game. Wagler's tournament reflected that progression after an uneven debut. He responded with several productive outings before closing the event with his best scoring performance, reinforcing why Los Angeles invested the No. 5 overall pick in him.
The Clippers will now shift their focus toward training camp, where Wagler is expected to compete for meaningful minutes alongside an experienced roster. His scoring ability, confidence attacking the basket and willingness to contribute on both ends of the floor made him one of the team's biggest positives in Las Vegas. If he continues to develop at this pace, Wagler could strengthen his case as one of the rising stars in the NBA before the season is over.
The performance also became one of the more encouraging NBA News stories to come out of this year's Summer League, as the Clippers leave Las Vegas with more than a winning record. They also leave with a historic offensive performance and growing optimism that Wagler's strong finish could carry into his rookie season as Los Angeles prepares for the months ahead.