The Sacramento Kings defeated the Charlotte Hornets 92-90 on July 17, 2026, during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas [1, 2].
These matchups allow NBA franchises to evaluate rookies and young talent in a competitive environment before the regular season begins. The narrow victory helps Sacramento stabilize its young roster, while the Hornets continue to seek consistency in their summer campaign.
Hannes Steinbach led the effort for the Kings, recording 22 points and 11 rebounds [4]. His interior presence proved decisive in a game decided by only two points [1].
Emanuel Sharp provided significant perimeter support for Sacramento. Sharp finished the game with 16 points, including four three-pointers, three steals, and three assists [4]. Alex Karaban added 14 points to the total, shooting 6-for-12 from the field and 2-for-8 from beyond the arc [4].
The victory brings the Kings' summer league record to 2-3 [4]. For the Hornets, the loss drops their record to 1-4 [4].
While some early reports suggested the game took place in Charlotte, official records from NBA.com and ESPN confirm the contest was held at the Summer League venue in Las Vegas [2, 3]. The event is part of the broader 2026 NBA Summer League schedule designed to showcase upcoming prospects [3].
“Hannes Steinbach led the effort for the Kings, recording 22 points and 11 rebounds.”
The result highlights the developmental progress of Hannes Steinbach and Emanuel Sharp, both of whom showed versatility in scoring and defense. For the Hornets, a 1-4 record suggests struggles in cohesive play and defensive rotations during this exhibition phase. These performances will likely influence roster decisions and rotation minutes as the teams transition toward the 2026-27 regular season.
