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The OKC Thunder suffered a 97-87 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday in Las Vegas Summer League.
OKC trailed by as many as 22 points. It trimmed that deficit to six points during the fourth quarter but was unable to complete the comeback.
The Thunder is now 0-7 in Summer League play, including its time in Salt Lake City. It'll wrap things up with a consolation game against the Brooklyn Nets at 3:30 p.m. CT Sunday.
Here are three takeaways from the loss:
More: Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz headline OKC Thunder storylines entering NBA Summer League play
Order our book on Thunder's run to 2025 NBA title
OKC announced Thursday that rookies Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz have been shut down for its final two Summer League games.
The decision comes as no surprise, considering the two first-round draftees have played in five Summer League games apiece. That includes the Thunder's time in Salt Lake City Summer League.
Mara averaged 9.2 points, 7 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 blocks in 24 minutes. The 7-foot-3 center shot 56.3% from the field and missed all three of his 3-point attempts.
Stirtz averaged 14.4 points, 3.4 assists, 1.6 rebounds, and 1 steal in 27.4 minutes. The 6-4 guard shot 45% from the field (30% from deep).
OKC's second-round selection, Otega Oweh, only played in two Summer League games before suffering an apparent left ankle injury. The 6-4 guard recorded eight points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block in 25 minutes during his only complete outing, which came against the Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City.
More: Thunder culture influenced Michigan basketball, so Aday Mara will fit right in with OKC
Anthony Pritchard watched as his floater clanked off the rim late in the second quarter.
It was a tough bounce for the 6-1 guard, who crashed the glass with hopes of getting his own offensive board. But that was even tougher with Dallas' big men roaming the rim.
Fortunately, Pritchard didn't have to get a hand on the ball. Brooks Barnhizer had his back, as he got the tip-in on the missed shot.
Barnhizer was there for his teammates all afternoon, as he stuffed the stat sheet for the short-handed Thunder. He got to his spots around the rim, scored efficiently, controlled the boards and even took some playmaking pressure off of OKC's guards.
Barnhizer finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block in 29 minutes. He went 8 for 16 from the field (1 for 1 from deep).
Barnhizer's ability to do a bit of everything is what originally caught the attention of OKC, which selected him with the No. 44 pick in the 2025 draft. Becoming a more consistent floor spacer remains the top priority for the 6-6 forward, who'll return this upcoming season on a two-way contract.
More: OKC Thunder signs Brooks Barnhizer, Josh Dix and Otega Oweh to two-way deals
The absence of Mara and Stirtz provided more opportunities for the rest of OKC's Summer League players. Guys who are still looking to prove they can play at the next level.
Multiple players took advantage of that chance on Thursday. Atop the list was Nate Johnson, an undrafted guard out of Kansas State. He showed an ability to be a 3-and-D contributor, recording 14 points and four steals on 4-for-5 shooting from deep.
Payton Sandfort also poured in 12 points and five rebounds, while Buddy Boeheim chipped in 13 points and three steals off the bench. And Josh Dix, who signed a two-way deal with the Thunder this summer, tallied 11 points and two rebounds.
All four players should have a large role again on Sunday when OKC finishes Summer League play with its game against Brooklyn.
More: How injuries helped OKC Thunder's Payton Sandfort gain perspective on NBA opportunity
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder shuts down Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz for rest of NBA Summer League, falls to Mavs
Continue reading...
OKC trailed by as many as 22 points. It trimmed that deficit to six points during the fourth quarter but was unable to complete the comeback.
The Thunder is now 0-7 in Summer League play, including its time in Salt Lake City. It'll wrap things up with a consolation game against the Brooklyn Nets at 3:30 p.m. CT Sunday.
Here are three takeaways from the loss:
More: Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz headline OKC Thunder storylines entering NBA Summer League play
Order our book on Thunder's run to 2025 NBA title
OKC rookies Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz are out for the rest of Summer League play
OKC announced Thursday that rookies Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz have been shut down for its final two Summer League games.
The decision comes as no surprise, considering the two first-round draftees have played in five Summer League games apiece. That includes the Thunder's time in Salt Lake City Summer League.
Mara averaged 9.2 points, 7 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 blocks in 24 minutes. The 7-foot-3 center shot 56.3% from the field and missed all three of his 3-point attempts.
Stirtz averaged 14.4 points, 3.4 assists, 1.6 rebounds, and 1 steal in 27.4 minutes. The 6-4 guard shot 45% from the field (30% from deep).
OKC's second-round selection, Otega Oweh, only played in two Summer League games before suffering an apparent left ankle injury. The 6-4 guard recorded eight points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block in 25 minutes during his only complete outing, which came against the Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City.
More: Thunder culture influenced Michigan basketball, so Aday Mara will fit right in with OKC
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Brooks Barnhizer stuffed the stat sheet for short-handed Thunder
Anthony Pritchard watched as his floater clanked off the rim late in the second quarter.
It was a tough bounce for the 6-1 guard, who crashed the glass with hopes of getting his own offensive board. But that was even tougher with Dallas' big men roaming the rim.
Fortunately, Pritchard didn't have to get a hand on the ball. Brooks Barnhizer had his back, as he got the tip-in on the missed shot.
Barnhizer was there for his teammates all afternoon, as he stuffed the stat sheet for the short-handed Thunder. He got to his spots around the rim, scored efficiently, controlled the boards and even took some playmaking pressure off of OKC's guards.
Barnhizer finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block in 29 minutes. He went 8 for 16 from the field (1 for 1 from deep).
Barnhizer's ability to do a bit of everything is what originally caught the attention of OKC, which selected him with the No. 44 pick in the 2025 draft. Becoming a more consistent floor spacer remains the top priority for the 6-6 forward, who'll return this upcoming season on a two-way contract.
More: OKC Thunder signs Brooks Barnhizer, Josh Dix and Otega Oweh to two-way deals
Others showed out while Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz sat out
The absence of Mara and Stirtz provided more opportunities for the rest of OKC's Summer League players. Guys who are still looking to prove they can play at the next level.
Multiple players took advantage of that chance on Thursday. Atop the list was Nate Johnson, an undrafted guard out of Kansas State. He showed an ability to be a 3-and-D contributor, recording 14 points and four steals on 4-for-5 shooting from deep.
Payton Sandfort also poured in 12 points and five rebounds, while Buddy Boeheim chipped in 13 points and three steals off the bench. And Josh Dix, who signed a two-way deal with the Thunder this summer, tallied 11 points and two rebounds.
All four players should have a large role again on Sunday when OKC finishes Summer League play with its game against Brooklyn.
More: How injuries helped OKC Thunder's Payton Sandfort gain perspective on NBA opportunity
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder shuts down Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz for rest of NBA Summer League, falls to Mavs
Continue reading...
