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2026 Summer League: Malaki Branham scores 23 to lead Cavs past Pelicans
Jul 16 2026 03:19 · By JP Aravena, Rotowire · 26 Reads
The Cavaliers defeat the Pelicans, 82-77, improving to 2-2 at the 2026 NBA Summer League.
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2026 Summer League
Cavaliers 82,
Pelicans 77:
Box Score
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Game Detail
LAS VEGAS
– Malaki Branham scored 23 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans,
82-77
, at Cox Pavilion in the
2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League
on Wednesday.
The Cavaliers had to work hard to get past the Pelicans in this matchup, as they endured a slow start and needed a second-half comeback to seal the victory. Even though the Cavs held a 16-15 advantage in the first quarter, the Pelicans fought back to secure a two-point lead (33-31) at the break.
Both offenses struggled with efficiency in the first half, but the Cavaliers turned things around, winning the third quarter 21-16 and taking a three-point edge into the final 10 minutes.
After the first three quarters had 101 total points, the teams combined for 58 points in the final frame. The Cavaliers closed things out with strong free-throw shooting to get the win, outscoring New Orleans 30-28 in the last quarter.
Riley Minix added 15 points, five rebounds and three assists. Jaxson Robinson notched 13 points and Rashaun Agee added 10 points and seven boards off the bench.
None of the New Orleans starters scored in double digits in this loss, but Markquis Nowell led the way with a 20-point performance in 24 minutes off the bench.