Thornwell rises above the rest in NBA debut
South Carolina basketball great Sindarius Thornwell scored 26 points Friday night in his NBA debut, a Summer League victory for the Los Angeles Clippers over the Lakers.
The Clippers won 96-93 in overtime in a game played in Las Vegas, with Thornwell starting at guard, shooting 6-of-13 from the field and 14-of-18 at the free throw line. He added five rebounds and two steals in 32 minutes of action.
Thornwell’s 26 points were a game-high for the Clippers. Brandon Ingram also had 26 for the Lakers. No. 2 draft pick Lonzo Ball scored five points for the Lakers on 2-of-15 shooting, also in 32 minutes played.
Fellow Gamecock P.J. Dozier, a free agent signee of the Lakers, did not play.
The Lakers play the Boston Celtics on Saturday night. The Clippers play again Sunday against the Utah Jazz.
Thornwell, the SEC Player of the Year and third-leading scorer in USC history, was drafted No. 48 by the Milwaukee Bucks and then promptly traded to the Clippers.
» 26 pts / 5 reb / 1 ast / 2 stl@Sin_City_803 was a BEAST in last night's win. #SummertimeGrind pic.twitter.com/Kfn3nVSgLG
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) July 8, 2017
Sindarius Thornwell
— Jamie Shaw (@JamieShaw5) July 8, 2017
(@LAClippers)#Vegas #SummerLeague
Debut v. LA Lakers
26 points, 5 boards, 2 steals
6-13 FG, 14-18 FT#NCPhenomAlum pic.twitter.com/aU1WgGqLaB
Nice performance by Sindarius Thornwell leading LAC to win over LAL with 26 points. Matched up with former No. 2 overall pick Brandon Ingram
— Matt Connolly (@MattatTheState) July 8, 2017
My brother Big Kuntry got a big smile tonite as he continues to look down on @Sin_City_803 he is one proud man
— Frank Martin (@FrankMartin_SC) July 8, 2017
I Know I was in a different jersey tonight but I was a proud brother! @Sin_City_803 bro did his thug thizzle! Proud of you boy! Keep it goin
— PJ Dozier (@Dozier_Kid) July 8, 2017
This story was originally published July 7, 2017 at 11:53 PM with the headline "Thornwell rises above the rest in NBA debut."