Another DNP for Kai in Summer League

FOR the third straight game, Filipino prospect Kai Sotto logged a DNP (did not play) for the Orlando Magic which bowed to the New York Knicks, 80-82, in overtime in the NBA Summer League at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Thursday, July 13 (Manila time).

Kai Sotto has not seen action for the Orlando Magic in the NBA Summer League after three games. ORLANDO MAGIC PHOTO 

Sotto, who also did not play against Detroit and Indiana, was relegated to a mere spectator when Jaylen Martin scored on a tough floater to win it for New York.

Dylan Murphy, Orlando’s Summer League coach, decided to limit his rotation to 10 players as the Magic dropped to 0-3 in the preseason games.

The regulation ended at 75-all and, according to Summer League rules, the first team to reach 82 points wins the game.

Jett Howard, the 11th overall draft pick, led the Magic with 22 points behind four three pointers. The son of former NBA player Juwan Howard played for more than 34 minutes in the game.

Sixth overall pick Anthony Black chipped in eight points and 14 rebounds. Black was the one who tipped back Howard’s missed triple that sent the game into overtime. He logged 33 minutes of playing time.

Like in Orlando’s first two outings, Sotto became a trending topic on Twitter once more with Filipino fans expressing their frustration over the Magic’s reluctance to field Sotto in the game.

Sotto and the Magic will face the Portland Trail Blazers today, July 14, as the 7-foot-3 Filipino hopes to finally make his debut in the preseason tournament.

Sotto is hoping to see some playing time to showcase his skills and boost his chances of playing in the NBA.