(UPDATED 11:19 a.m.) MANILA, Philippines — Kai Sotto finally made his long-awaited NBA Summer League debut in the Orlando Magic's 88-71 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Friday.
Sotto checked in at the beginning of the second quarter. He pulled two rebounds, blocked one shot and missed one field goal attempt in 5 minutes and 37 seconds of action.
Kai Sotto finally makes his much-awaited NBA debut, drawing cheers from Filipino fans as he steps onto the court in @OrlandoMagic jersey. | via @tjmanotoc pic.twitter.com/oPx9F0uh87
— ABS-CBN News Channel (@ANCALERTS) July 14, 2023
Orlando trailed Portland at halftime 45-19.
Sotto was inserted back in the third quarter and scored his first basket of the game.
KAI SOTTO with his first NBA bucket!
4 PTS, 3 REB, 3 BLK in 10 MINSpic.twitter.com/QFXNjrgEPQ— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) July 14, 2023
He saw more minutes in the fourth period, scoring four more points, including a wide-open two-handed dunk off a feed from a teammate.
Kai Sotto was productive in his NBA Summer League debut. Historic night for the ???????? pic.twitter.com/J3NaTVubh5
— alder almo (@alderalmo) July 14, 2023
Sotto finished with a total of six points, four rebounds, three blocks and one assist in 13:23 of playtime. He went 3-of-7 from the field.
The 7-foot-3 Filipino prospect had been benched in the Magic's first three games of the tournament, drawing the ire of Filipino fans who had been eagerly awaiting to see him in action.
Orlando remains winless in four games.