Not a bad professional debut for DeAndre’ Bembry.
The Hawks’ first-round draft pick had 14 points, six rebounds and four assists in an 83-78 victory over the Rockets in their Las Vegas Summer League opener on Friday.
Bembry, taken with the No. 21 overall pick in last month’s NBA Draft, started and played 27 minutes.
“It was fun,” Bembry said. “It was the first time being on an NBA court. I felt pretty good out there. I got my teammates involved, hit a couple jump shots, got a couple of slashes. I felt pretty good out there.”
The Hawks got a game-high 16 points from Kevin Pangos and 14 points from Bryce Cotton, both point guards. Center Edy Tavares added seven point and eight rebounds.
The Hawks trailed by 10 points, 22-12, after one quarter. They overcame a 13-point halftime deficit by outscoring the Rockets 26-12 in the third quarter.
The Hawks played without their other first-round pick. Taurean Prince did not play as his trade to the Hawks has yet to be approved by the NBA. The official stamp is expected in the next several days.
“Right now, going into the first game, we are trying to keep it simple, laying the foundation,” Hawks coach Taylor Jenkins said. “As we go day-by-day and game-by-game, we’ll put guys in different situations. Putting DeAndre’ in a lot of pick-and-rolls, decision-making. Getting Edy out there in different situations, pick-and-roll both offense and defense.”
Sam Dekker led the Rockets with a game-high 18 points.
The Hawks (1-0) are off Saturday and will play the Wizards on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. ET.
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