Another DNP for Kai Sotto as Orlando falls to Indiana

Kai Sotto’s NBA Summer League debut will have to wait a bit longer, as he was benched again in the Orlando Magic’s 108-85 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Monday, July 10 (Tuesday, July 11, Manila time) at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

This is Sotto’s second consecutive DNP-CD (Did Not Play-Coach’s Decision) game, after he was also not used in the Magic’s 89-78 loss to the Detroit Pistons in their Summer League opening last Sunday, July 9.

After utilizing only 10 players in their previous game, Orlando Summer League head coach Dylan Murphy used an 11-man rotation this time, with 6-foot-10 DJ Wilson playing the majority of the minutes at the center position, logging a team-high 27:28 minutes of action.

The Pacers rode a balanced offensive effort, with all five starters scoring in double digits, led by Andrew Nembhard’s game-high 21 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals.

Bennedict Mathurin, a member of last season’s NBA All-Rookie First Team, finished with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists despite shooting just 4-of-16 from the floor.

Meanwhile, Isaiah Jackson, an undersized 6-foot-9 big man, imposed his will on Orlando’s thin frontline with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds, while the Magic’s tallest player, 7-foot-3 Sotto, sat on the bench.

The Magic were outrebounded by their opponents by double digits, 47-36, similar to their loss to the Pistons.