Spurs’ Forbes leading LV scorers
San Antonio guard Bryn Forbes was a scoring machine last week in the Utah Summer League.
The second-year player hasn’t stopped in Las Vegas.
Forbes scored a game-high 35 points in the Spurs’ 99-85 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers at the Cox Pavilion on Tuesday.
“The game’s getting a little simpler,” said Forbes, 23. “I’ve been learning a lot. I’ve tried to work on my game in all different ways — watching film, doing this, doing that. Trying to get better in all ways, and it makes the game a little easier. It really does.”
Forbes, who went undrafted out of Michigan State, is leading all NBA Summer League scorers, averaging 29.3 points through three games. He also led the Utah Summer League with a 21.3-points average.
“In some ways, yeah,” Forbes said of exceeding his own expectations. “I just didn’t really know what to expect from myself, but I knew I put in a lot of work. … I worked (hard) the whole summer. Playing with a great team like this and a great coaching staff, they make it easy to play well.”
After scoring 35 points, Forbes now has the two of the three highest single-game point totals in Las Vegas. He put up 36 points in a win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.
“I don’t think there (will be) a fall off,” said Forbes, who averaged 7.9 minutes in 36 games for the Spurs last year. “This is all the work I’ve been putting in.”
Brooks has something to prove
As a second-round pick with arguably first-round talent, Dillon Brooks is back in Las Vegas with a point to prove.
“I belong in the NBA,” Brooks said. “I’ve been working so hard to be a part of the NBA. I’m here right now, and I’m not going to waste this chance.”
Brooks, a Findlay Prep product who played last season at Oregon, made 9 of 11 shots and scored 24 points to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to an 84-81 overtime victory over the Utah Jazz.
It was a breakout game for Brooks, who had scored a total of 12 points in his first two summer league games.
“I was staying aggressive,” Brooks said. “I had a couple of turnovers at the beginning of the game. I didn’t let it discourage me. I just kept playing. My teammates were finding me and got me my shots.”
Portland’s Swanigan impressive
Portland Trail Blazers big man and Bishop Gorman graduate Zach Collins left Tuesday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs in the second quarter with a quad injury.
Fellow rookie Caleb Swanigan made up for his absence. And then some.
Swanigan, who was selected by Portland with the No. 26 overall pick, had 19 points and 13 rebounds.
The 6-foot-9-inch Swanigan is averaging 15.7 points and 11 rebounds through three games, and is not fazed by the physical play at the professional level.
“Nothing changes for me … Don’t think about it too much,” Swanigan said. “Nobody knows every play right now … There’s no scheme really. Just got to go out there and compete.”
Swanigan, who played at Purdue and was the Big Ten Player of the Year last season, has used his chiseled frame to muster rebounds away from bigger players.
He’s also showcased a soft touch around the basket and some agility on the perimeter.
“The biggest thing is just trusting myself,” he said. “I’ve been practicing forever.”
Utah’s Mitchell scores 37 points
Utah guard Donovan Mitchell hasn’t been shy in asserting himself on offense.
Tuesday, he brought his total shot attempts up to 50.
After just two games.
Mitchell was 10-for-24, including 3-for-10 from beyond the 3-point arc, and finished with 37 points in an overtime loss to Memphis. It was the most points thus far in the summer league.
A one-and-done at Louisville, Mitchell scored 19 points on 26 shot attempts Saturday.
The NBA Summer League record in Las Vegas is 47 points by Anthony Morrow in 2009.
Contact reporter Ashton Ferguson at aferguson@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0430. Follow @af_ferguson on Twitter. Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal. com. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter. Contact reporter Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal. com. Follow @Bysamgordon on Twitter.