Recent No. 31 overall selection Bruce Thornton continues to prove himself as a draft day steal. The new Rockets point guard spurred Houston to another NBA Summer League victory, leading all scorers with 23 points. In the process, Thornton outplayed both Egor Demin and recent No. 6 overall pick Mikel Brown Jr., Brooklyn’s top point guards.
Thornton finished shooting 7-for-13 from the field, including 50% from 3-point range, to go along with four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Through four summer league contests, the former Ohio State guard is now averaging 21.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and three steals. Tristen Newton, a current Rockets two-way player, was impressive as well, finishing with 20 points while also shooting 7-for-13. Newton added six rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block.
With the 17-point victory, Houston finished with a +10.3 point differential, giving them a tie-breaker over other 3-1 teams. As a result, Thornton and the Rockets earned a spot in the 2026 NBA Summer League semifinals, now scheduled to face Cameron Boozer and the Memphis Grizzlies Saturday.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Bruce Thornton leads Rockets to 2026 NBA Summer League semifinals
Reporting by Mack Baltes, Rockets Wire / Rockets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mack Baltes, Rockets Wire | USA TODAY Network
