The 2026 NBA Summer League opened with a nail‑biting victory for the Miami Heat, who edged the San Antonio Spurs 88‑87 in a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Auburn’s Alumni Make Their Mark
Three former Auburn Tigers — Miles Kelly, Keyshawn Hall and Tre Donaldson — took the court, each hoping to translate college success into professional minutes.
Kelly, the most heavily scouted of the trio, led the Spurs with 16 points on 7‑of‑13 shooting, while also pulling down four rebounds and dishing out two assists.
Hall made a splash in his NBA debut for the Heat, scoring four points with a timely layup in the first quarter and later catching a lob pass that highlighted his athletic upside.
Donaldson contributed two points on a quick layup before the first quarter expired, showing he can finish at the rim under pressure.
Looking Ahead
All three will see action again on Sunday, with Hall and Donaldson slated to face the Los Angeles Lakers at 3:30 p.m. CT on ESPN, while Kelly’s Spurs meet the Golden State Warriors at 6 p.m. CT on NBA TV and ESPN+.
Kelly’s recent stint with the Dallas Mavericks, where he appeared in 14 games and averaged 3.1 points per contest, has set the stage for a more pronounced role with San Antonio. Prior to that, he posted 22 points per game for the Texas Legends, the Mavericks’ G‑League affiliate, underscoring his scoring potential.
The performance also ties the players to other basketball‑rich institutions. Hall’s college years at Michigan dovetailed with the Wolverines’ storied program, while Kelly’s earlier exposure to the NBA came through the Mavericks’ system, a pathway that has produced several successful alumni.
Fans can catch the action live on ESPN and NBA TV, with streaming options on ESPN+ and NBA.com, ensuring that the summer league’s early excitement carries forward into the next round of evaluations.