NBABy David Lauterbach on

The NBA Summer League is only a couple days old and the majority of the players involved most likely won’t start in the NBA this upcoming season. However, a couple will, including first overall pick Markelle Fultz and third overall selection Jayson Tatum.

Fultz was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers and Tatum was picked by the Boston Celtics. On Monday, they both played in their first Summer League games and oddly enough, they faced off against each other.

It’s pretty funny how that worked out. The 76ers and Celtics swapped picks and then on the third day of the Summer League, Fultz and Tatum faced off in their first professional games ever. Naturally, it was a game to remember for both.

One could argue that Tatum played better than Fultz, so let’s save the best for last.

Markelle Fultz: 22 minutes, 17 points, 37.5% FG%, 2 REB, 1 AST

Not a bad line for Fultz in his first professional game. While there was nothing eye-opening about his numbers, the plays Fultz made stuck out.

https://twitter.com/World_Wide_Wob/status/882029450149470210

In fact, Fultz made so many crazy plays that he impressed one perennial All-Star who just signed a new contract with the Warriors today.

To be honest I’m not entirely sure what Durant meant by that, but I can understand why Philadelphia fans are excited on Twitter.

So far so good, Mr. Fultz.

Now for…

Jayson Tatum: 33 minutes, 21 points, 47.1% FG%, 7 REB, 3 AST

Overall, Tatum’s numbers were better than Fultz’s. On top of that, Tatum hit what would serve as the game-winner:

Tatum made some other great plays too:

https://twitter.com/celtics/status/882026857876512768

Naturally, Celtics fans were pretty happy with the Tatum game-winner.

[NBATV]

About David Lauterbach

David is a writer for The Comeback. He enjoyed two Men's Basketball Final Four trips for Syracuse before graduating in 2016. If The Office or Game of Thrones is on TV, David will be watching.

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