Charlotte Hornets Win First NBA Summer League Title Led by KJ Simpson

The Charlotte Hornets captured their first-ever NBA Summer League championship by defeating the Sacramento Kings 83-78 in a hard-fought final in Las Vegas. KJ Simpson, a former Colorado Buffaloes guard now in his second year with the Hornets, was instrumental throughout the tournament, averaging 16 points, 5.7 assists, and 5.5 rebounds over six games and providing strong leadership despite shooting struggles in the final. Although Kon Knueppel earned the MVP award for his 21-point performance in the championship game, both Simpson and Knueppel expressed mutual respect for each other's contributions. Simpson's Summer League success marks a significant step forward from his limited rookie season, showcasing his growth and potential as a key player for the Hornets' young core. The Hornets' victory was fueled by an early dominant first quarter and strategic defensive play in the final moments, with notable performances also coming from teammates like Ryan Kalkbrenner. Meanwhile, the Kings fought valiantly, led by Isaac Jones' 24 points and 11 rebounds, but ultimately fell short in the tightly contested final.