There’s not much to get excited about in the middle of summer, especially when the only sports going on are basically limited to the MLB, WNBA, and NBA Summer League, but Michigan State fans were looking forward to a matchup between a couple of Spartans in the latter.
Sunday night’s Summer League schedule was jam-packed and it was supposed to feature two former Michigan State teammates facing off against one another in what should’ve been a great matchup.
It turns out, the matchup was great, but one of the Spartans missed it for undisclosed reasons.
Jase Richardson’s Orlando Magic and Frankie Fidler’s Portland Trail Blazers were getting set to square off on Sunday night before the former was ruled out and didn’t get to face his former teammate and fellow 2025 Big Ten champion.
Richardson’s absence was definitely felt but the Magic were still somehow able to pull off the win in overtime against Fidler’s Trail Blazers, 112-105, to improve to 2-1 in Summer League play.
Fidler did not have his best performance in the loss, shooting just 1-for-7 from the floor, with his only make being a 3-pointer, while grabbing five rebounds with two assists and two steals. He also turned the ball over three times but he was one of just three Trail Blazers to finish on the positive side of the +/- with a +3 in 21 minutes.
Richardson’s other former Spartan teammate — and current Summer League teammate — Tre Holloman also missed the game with a DNP via coach’s decision.
What was supposed to be a Spartan-loaded Summer League showdown turned into a Fidler strugglefest unfortunately.
Richardson is reportedly supposed to be back for Orlando’s next Summer League game on Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers at 4 p.m. ET on ESPNU. He’ll be looking to follow up a 15-point performance from Saturday’s win over the Miami Heat.
Fidler, on the other hand, will be back in action on Monday night vs. Minnesota at 11 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Michigan State will be well-represented this week
Outside of Richardson, Fidler, and Holloman (sort of), Michigan State is going to be well-represented all week at the NBA Summer League as the “postseason” is about to begin on Friday.
On Monday, Jaden Akins and the New York Knicks will face the Detroit Pistons at 4 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime, Carson Cooper and the Grizzlies will play the Mavericks at 7 p.m. on ESPN, Jaxon Kohler’s Utah Jazz will play the Chicago Bulls 9 p.m. on ESPN, and Fidler will face the Timberwolves at 11 p.m. on ESPN2.
Monday will be loaded with Michigan State representation and that’ll carry over into Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Tuesday’s schedule:
- Joey Hauser and Foster Loyer’s Nets vs. Sacramento Kings (6 p.m. on Prime)
- Cooper’s Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors (7 p.m. on ESPN)
Wednesday’s schedule:
- Richardson/Holloman and the Magic vs. Philadelphia 76ers (4 p.m. on ESPNU)
- Kohler’s Jazz vs. San Antonio Spurs (9:30 p.m. on Prime)
Thursday’s schedule:
- Hauser/Loyer and the Nets vs. Houston Rockets (4:30 p.m. on ESPNU)
- Akins and the Knicks vs. Golden State Warriors (7 p.m. on ESPN2)
- Cooper and the Grizzlies vs. Atlanta Hawks (8 p.m. on Prime)
- Fidler and the Blazers vs. Denver Nuggets (10 p.m. on Prime)
It’s going to be a busy week in the Summer League, Spartan fans.
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