​Payton Sandfort knows what it feels like when he releases a shot that’s on the money.It’s a familiar sensation for the second-year forward, who has cashed in on countless 3-pointers. And that’s why he immediately reacted after heaving a game-tying triple in the closing seconds of OKC’s Las Vegas Summer League game against Denver on Tuesday.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSandfort knew the shot was short. And sure enough, it failed to even reach the rim as the final buzzer sounded, sealing the Nuggets’ 106-103 win.Sandfort untucked his jersey in frustration while walking off the floor. It was a disappointing ending for the Thunder, which was determined to avoid falling to 0-6 in Summer League play. So much so that it willed its way back into the game after trailing by 11 points with 4:01 remaining.A key contributor to the comeback attempt was Sandfort, who scored nine fourth-quarter points to finish with 19. He also added three rebounds, two assists and one block in 26 minutes on 7-for-18 shooting from the field (2 for 8 from deep).OKC will continue Summer League play with a game against the Dallas Mavericks at 3 p.m. CT Thursday.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHere are three takeaways from the loss:More: Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz headline OKC Thunder storylines entering NBA Summer League playOrder our book on Thunder’s run to 2025 NBA title1 / 7LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 10: Chris Manon #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Bennett Stirtz #14 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half of a 2026 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)Aday Mara hasn’t suited up with the Thunder’s real roster just yet, but he has clearly been watching film.Bennett Stirtz fed the ball to the big man, who sent a between-the-leg bounce pass back to him before setting a screen. It’s a play OKC often runs with Isaiah Hartenstein, another 7-footer with great floor vision and playmaking skills.Hartenstein is also known for his signature push shot. And when Stirtz gave the ball back to Mara, he pulled out the move to perfection by sinking an 11-foot floater.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat sequence provided a glimpse of what Mara can do with the Thunder. The 7-foot-3 center has plenty of skill to his game, and his passing should shine even brighter alongside some star teammates.Mara finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists in 25 minutes on 6-for-6 shooting from the field. It’s another step in the right direction for the 12th pick in the 2026 draft after a slow start to Summer League play.More: Thunder culture influenced Michigan basketball, so Aday Mara will fit right in with OKCBuddy Boeheim has played in front of his father, legendary head coach Jim Boeheim, plenty of times.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThere were the countless games when he was a kid growing up in New York, and there were the four seasons he spent unde