2026 California Classic Summer League Live Updates: 2026 California Classic, Day 1 | Heat defeat Spurs to open the summer

Tap in with the NBA.com live blog as the 2026 NBA Summer League opens with the California Classic. Ben Lambert, for NBA.com | Updated on July 4, 2026 1:56 AM

Ryan Conwell and the Miami Heat defeated the San Antonio Spurs to open the 2026 NBA Summer League and the California Classic.

Welcome to the 2026 NBA Summer League! We open the festivities with the 2026 California Classic, coming to you live on Prime Video, ESPN, ESPNU and NBA TV tonight. Golden State, Miami, San Antonio and the Los Angeles Lakers will play in San Francisco during the event. A second Golden State team, plus Sacramento, Brooklyn and Milwaukee will play in Sacramento, where play tips off tomorrow. Catch all the excitement with the NBA.com live blog!

JULY 3 / 9:42 p.m. ET

Heat hold off Spurs 88-87

The Spurs and Heat traded big shots down the stretch, including four late points from Tarris Reed Jr. (10 pts, 7 reb), but Miami survived to take the first game of the 2026 Summer League and the California Classic. Ryan Conwell (21 pts, 3 3PM) and Jahmir Young (21 pts, 4 ast, 3 stl, 3 3PM) were the top scorers for the Heat, while Miles Kelly (16 pts) paced things for the Spurs. “Just really locking in and playing team ball,” said Conwell of the win. “Blessed.”

JULY 3 / 9:32 p.m. ET

Spurs cut it to two 76-74 Heat with 4:39 to go

As Ja’Kobi Gillespie finds Maliq Brown (10 pts, 3 reb) for an alley-oop jam.

Ja'Kobi Gillespie to Maliq Brown 💥 Gillespie with 8 assists and Brown with 10 points! Watch the California Classic on ESPN, Prime, and NBA TV!

Gillespie’s been a steady presence for the Spurs, showing his chops as a floor general and creator. His handle looks a cut above the other guards on the floor.

JULY 3 / 9:20 p.m. ET

Heat up 65-57 after three

Ryan Conwell (13 pts) knocked down his second 3-pointer of the game as the third quarter wound down. He’s made his presence felt in his first Summer League action, showing some skill and shooting. The Spurs have hung around in this game, but never led. Tarris Reed Jr. (4 pts, 5 reb) has been battling Vladislav Golden (10 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast) in the post as he looks to get his sea legs.

JULY 3 / 9:16 p.m. ET

Jahmir is in the groove

He’s up to 14 points for the Heat, including this quick slash to the rim and graceful finish. Jahmir with that behind the back 🫡

JULY 3 / 9:01 p.m. ET

Conwell on the break

The Louisville product delivered a nice one-handed bounce pass on the break to Jahmir Young (12 pts) for a layup. An encouraging sign and nice dime. 45-41 Heat with 7:42 to go in the third, as Conwell goes to the line again.

JULY 3 / 8:51 p.m. ET

Heat lead 43-36 at the half

Miami’s earned an 18-8 edge in points in the paint, as well as an 8-2 advantage in fast break points, on their way to a halftime lead. Both teams are flying around and playing defense, as players seek to earn spots in the Association. Keyshawn Hall, most recently of Auburn, converted this sweet Eurostep layup to help give the Heat the upper hand. That steal 👉 finish!!!

Catch the second half on ESPN and Prime Video!

JULY 3 / 8:39 p.m. ET

A little duel out West

Jahmir Young (10 pts in 10:14) dropped seven quick points to open the second quarter, pushing Miami’s advantage. But he was matched by Miles Kelly (11 pts), who has seven in the quarter as well, including a layup off a dime from Ja’Kobi Gillespie (5 ast) that just cut the Heat lead to five. 38-33 Miami with 3:25 to go in the half.

JULY 3 / 8:27 p.m. ET

Heat lead 25-16 after one

Ryan Conwell and former Knick Trevor Keels (6 pts) lead Miami in scoring, while North Carolina product R.J. Davis (5 pts) is the top man for the Spurs. Myron Gardner delivered the highlight of the first quarter, though. Myron Gardner with POWER. Miami holds the lead midway through the 1Q! 🌴 California Classic 📺 ESPN, Prime, NBA TV

JULY 3 / 8:16 p.m. ET

Conwell to the line

Ryan Conwell, the No. 37 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, just went to the line after being fouled on a 3-pointer, which he squared up on the move to launch. If he’s that kind of confident, it’ll be a meaningful addition for Miami as they surround Giannis Antetokounmpo. He shot 34.5% from 3-point range and 83.2% from the line in his senior season at Louisville. 18-10 Heat with 3:32 to go in the first.

JULY 3 / 8:02 p.m. ET

The Heat open the summer scoring

Jahmir Young breaks the seal on the 2026 Summer League with a 15-foot jumper. The Maryland product played 14 games with the Heat in 2025-26, averaging 1.8 ppg in 4.1 mpg.

JULY 3 / 6:40 p.m. ET

The summer begins to heat up

Our first game of the summer features the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs (8 ET, Prime / ESPN / NBA TV). Miami will be led by second-year guard Myron Gardner and second-round pick Ryan Conwell, while San Antonio features second-year wing Carter Bryant and rookies Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed Jr.

JULY 3 / 6:30 p.m. ET

New rule in play for Summer League

This summer, we’ll be testing the one free throw rule, which has been in place in the G League since the 2019-20 season. The G League and Summer League have often served as testing labs for the league before bringing rule changes or amended policies into NBA games. Among those that started at those levels and eventually got to the NBA: the coaches’ challenge, resetting the 24-second shot clock to 14 seconds in offensive rebound situations and the one-shot award for a transition take foul — which is when a defender intentionally commits a foul to halt a transition opportunity for the opposition.

The one free throw rule will be tested at the upcoming NBA summer leagues. With this rule, any foul that would typically result in one, two or three free throws under standard NBA rules will instead result in a single free throw attempt. That attempt will be worth the same…

The 2026 Summer League will also use a “connected basketball,” which contains a sensor that detects contact with the ball.

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