NBA Summer League Day Three Recap: Wood continues hot start, Zimmerman records double-double

Former UNLV star Christian Wood decided that he wasn’t ready to end the fireworks Tuesday, posting another strong outing in the Utah Summer League. Wood started at center for the 76ers, logging 19 points and seven rebounds in 19 minutes in a 95-91 loss to San Antonio.

Wood continues to show the Philadelphia coaching staff and front office that he is able to compete and flourish at the NBA level. The 6-11, 220-pound Vegas native only appeared in 17 games last season, but he has taken full advantage of his playing time thus far in the summer league.

Wood’s teammate, James Webb III, also enjoyed a productive afternoon against the Spurs, tallying nine points and eight boards in 23 minutes. Webb has yet to heat up from beyond the arc - finishing only 1-4 from deep - which he displayed in his tryout with Philadelphia last month.

Opposite of Webb, ex-Lobo center Alex Kirk, logged 16 minutes off the bench for San Antonio and scored a basket before getting into foul trouble.

The other shining star from the day was Orlando Magic center Stephen Zimmerman. The seven-footer from UNLV scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in 24 minutes en route to his first double-double of summer league play. Zimmerman also recorded two highlight blocks; one against Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson on an emphatic dunk attempt as well as another on a gliding layup try by Briante Weber.

Many have already been impressed by Zimmerman’s play through three games in the summer league. Bleacher Report’s Adam Fromal already declared Zimmerman a “draft steal” and Magic head coach Chad Forcier said this morning that “I like the temperature (Zimmerman) plays at, he’s got a great edge to him.”

The Mountain West player from the winning side of the Miami-Orlando wasn’t nearly as productive. UNLV’s Chris Obekpa played only four minutes and finished with goose eggs in the boxscore. It appears that it will be an uphill battle for Obekpa to get a chance to make any type of impression on the Heat coaching staff this summer.

Another Utah Summer League breakout performance Tuesday was Utah Jazz guard Spencer Butterfield drilling two three-pointers and snagging six boards in an 89-82 loss against the Boston Celtics. Butterfield, the Utah State Aggie, was a part of the starting five as well, which could be a sign of positive things ahead in the Utah organization for the Provo native.

Elsewhere around the NBA, Fresno State’s Marvelle Harris played 14 minutes in a Knicks 92-84 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers in Orlando. It was the fewest minutes Harris has played in three games this summer, as he knocked down one of two shot attempts and dished out three assists to go with three steals.

Only three games are on tap for Wednesday, as the Utah Summer League takes the day off. Orlando’s Stephen Zimmerman and New York’s Marvelle Harris headline the trio of games.

Game 1: Orlando Magic White vs. New York Knicks (1 PM ET)

Game 2: Dallas Mavericks vs. Charlotte Hornets (3 PM ET)

Game 3: Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (5 PM ET)