​The OKC Thunder fell 97-87 to the Dallas Mavericks in Thursday’s Las Vegas Summer League game, continuing a trying stretch for Oklahoma City. The Thunder trailed by as many as 22 points, battled back to pull within six in the fourth quarter, but could not complete the comeback. With the loss, OKC remains winless at 0-7 in Summer League play, a record that includes their experience in Salt Lake City. They’ll close the summer with a consolation game against the Brooklyn Nets at 3:30 p.m. CT on Sunday. Here are three key takeaways from the defeat.
Friday’s matchup underscored some lingering storylines as OKC heads toward the finish of its Summer League slate. The Thunder announced that two of their first-round picks, Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz, would be shut down for the final two Summer League games. This move aligns with their workload so far, as both players have appeared in five Summer League games apiece, including the Utah stops in Salt Lake City. Mara has averaged 9.2 points, 7 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 blocks in 24 minutes per game, shooting 56.3 percent from the floor while going 0-for-3 from beyond the arc. Stirtz has posted 14.4 points, 3.4 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 1 steal over 27.4 minutes per game, shooting 45 percent overall and 30 percent from deep.
Otega Oweh, the Thunder’s second-round pick, only appeared in two Summer League games before an apparent left ankle injury sidelined him. In his one complete appearance, a contest against the Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City, the 6-foot-4 guard totaled eight points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block over 25 minutes.
From a veteran perspective, the Thunder received a boost from Brooks Barnhizer, who gave Oklahoma City a steady presence even amid a short-handed roster. Barnhizer showed up in critical moments, including a sequence late in the second quarter when Anthony Pritchard’s floater clanged off the rim. As Dallas’ size crowded the paint, Pritchard’s attempt at an offensive board proved difficult, but Barnhizer was there to flip the miss into a basket for a timely tip-in. His afternoon was indicative of his all-around contribution: finding scoring opportunities around the rim, securing rebounds, and alleviating some of the playmaking pressure on OKC’s guards.
Barnhizer finished with a 21-point performance, underscoring his role as a reliable option for the Thunder in this summer run. His ability to read the floor, position himself for putbacks and spot-up opportunities helped keep Oklahoma City competitive when the team needed a spark. While Mara and Stirtz sit out the final two games, Barnhizer’s productive showing provides a glimpse of the versatility and hustle OKC can rely on as they evaluate player development and roster fit in the months ahead.
In sum, the Thunder continued to face a challenging Summer League schedule, dropping to 0-7 overall. Despite the setback, there were notable moments, including Barnhizer’s robust performance and the encouraging moments from Mara and Stirtz prior to their shutdown. Oklahoma City will look to close the summer with a win against Brooklyn on Sunday, aiming to build momentum and carry forward lessons learned from a demanding slate of games.