​The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their search for a Summer League victory in Las Vegas after dropping to 0-3 in Utah. Although their 96-84 defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t produce the elusive win, there were still notable takeaways from Friday night’s exhibition game, headlined by Bennett Stirtz. The Thunder’s No. 16 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the second first-rounder in OKC’s class, led the team with 18 points. Stirtz got off to a hot start and finished strong, posting a 7-for-14 shooting night that included 3-of-8 from three-point range. He also contributed 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. It was an impressive scoring performance for the 22-year-old, though he believes there is more to show.
“I just gotta trust it more often. I’m not used to catch-and-shoot threes,” Stirtz said after the game. “There were open looks I passed up, so I need to let the ball fly, trust my shot. I did trust it later in the game, which was good. I just have to keep stacking it together.”
Stirtz isn’t new to stepping up in higher levels of competition. His college career began in Division II with Northwest Missouri State University before he jumped up to Division I at Drake, a Missouri Valley Conference program. He then moved again to the Big Ten with the University of Iowa. Now, he’s taking another significant leap to the NBA level. What’s it like to face this new phase of basketball? “It’s more physical, faster-paced, and there are different coverages,” Stirtz explained. “Those are probably the three main differences. I’m still getting used to it, and I’ve got a long way to go—everyone does. We’ve got four more games, and I’m looking forward to it.”
While Stirtz captured the spotlight for OKC, the other Thunder first-round rookie had a more subdued showing. Aday Mara, the No. 12 overall pick out of Michigan, finished with 2 points on 0-for-3 shooting but grabbed 7 rebounds, and added 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks. Mara’s stat line reflects the reality of Summer League: a different stage where players adapt to new teammates and an NBA-like environment. It’s a reminder that Summer League is entertaining and informative, but extracting sweeping conclusions from a lone game can be risky.
It’s easy to overreact to Summer League performances—whether to praise breakout showings or forecast immediate stardom. The reality is that these athletes are still forming chemistry, learning the pace of the league, and adjusting to the higher level of competition. In the case of Mara, his size and potential will be better understood as he integrates with playmakers and experiences NBA-style sets and defenses in actual game contexts, not just in a showcase setting.
As OKC continues its pursuit of its first summer win, they’ll face Yaxel Lendeborg and the Warriors in Sunday night’s matchup. Expect more from Stirtz as he continues to acclimate to the league while still showing the scoring ability that made him a notable first-round selection. In the broader sense, fans and analysts should approach Summer League with balanced expectations—appreciating bright moments, recognizing the learning curve, and avoiding hasty judgments until a more substantial body of work emerges.