Summer league brings 24 NBA teams to Vegas

The top two picks in this month’s NBA draft likely will square off in the showcase game of the NBA Summer League, which released its schedule Thursday.

The 11-day event, which runs from July 7-17, features 67 games at UNLV’S Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion. A record 24 teams will participate in the tournamentstyle format, which culminates with a title game televised by ESPN.

The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers, who have the Nos. 1 and No. 2 picks, will meet at 5:30 p.m. July 8. Each team will play three games before tournament play begins July 12. Each team is guaranteed at least five games.

■ Clippers: Hall of Famer Jerry West, 79, is leaving his job as an executive board member with Golden State and is expected to take a similar role with Los Angeles.

■ Royals: Cimarron-memorial product Zach Walters signed a minor league contract and will report to Triple-a Omaha. The 27-year-old utility player, who has spent four seasons with three major league teams, most recently had been with the independent Kansas City T-bones.

■ Athletics: Pitching coach

Curt Young was fired and replaced by bullpen coach Scott Emerson. Also, top prospect Matt Chapman’s contract was selected from Triple-a Nashville, and fellow third baseman Trevor Plouffe was designated for assignment.

■ Yankees: Left-hander CC Sabathia (Grade 2 left hamstring strain) was placed on the 10-day disabled list and is expected to miss at least four weeks.

■ Red Sox: Right-handed reliever Tyler Thornburg will have seasonending right shoulder surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome.