Thunder vs 76ers recap: OKC rookies show promise in NBA Salt Lake City Summer League debut

SALT LAKE CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder dropped Game 1 of its Salt Lake City Summer League slate on Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers, 102-92. Here are three takeaways from the game: 

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Processing and promise from Ajay Mitchell and Dillon Jones

Clammy hands, unnerving decisions, general jitters. All normal symptoms of those that take the big stage for the first time. For a moment, Ajay Mitchell didn’t seem exempt in his Thunder debut.

Philadelphia’s pressure defense, which extended the length of the court and into OKC’s jerseys, felt unusual for the atmosphere. The Sixers didn’t care much to see how Dillon Jones or Mitchell held up in the pick-and-roll. 

For at least a few minutes, Mitchell felt rushed. He picked up his dribble early. He stumbled over it. Once he settled in, the spots were his. 

Mitchell delivered dump-down passes galore, reaching the baseline before making plays. His shot started falling, only being hoisted from his spots. He finished with 14 points and four assists on 6-of-10 shooting. He tallied four turnovers after committing two in the first quarter.

Jones made good reads early, too. The windows he looked to fit passes into and the decisions he made appeared as second nature — life as a point guard living in Larry Johnson’s body. 

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“I thought for two rookies, they did a good job of leading the group in pockets of the game, (and) doing that regardless of outcome,” coach Kam Woods said.

Still, Jones appeared upset with himself as the first half dwindled. Like he’d hoped to put himself in better position to score but couldn’t. Like he hadn’t already put his teammates in enough situations to do so themselves. 

“He’s a guy, similar to the rest of the group, that holds himself to a really high standard, and he competes at a really high level,” Woods said of Jones. “And the thing I respect about him, and a lot of guys on the team, is they really care.” 

Jones finished with 9 points (4 for 11), 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 turnovers. 

At times, his upbringing as a guard pops. While dribbling, he’ll use his off hand to throw a hook pass to the opposite wing. Or he’ll slip in a short roll pass that gives the team its best look yet. Or he’ll offer up a lob he has no business throwing. 

Jones’ reads almost happen too quickly. His passes can often find unprepared hands with what feels like a difference in processing. On rare occasions, it appears like the teacher hoping that its student would hurry and sound the words aloud. 

As Monday carried on, Jones proved capable of flaw as a ball handler. He miscalculated outlet passes, he threw passes that were out of reach. Yet with every other read, he also confirmed what he’d already thought of himself entering Summer League.  

“The way I see the game translates to this level,” Jones said. “The way I rebound translates to this level. I think once the game slows down a little bit more, I’ll be able to sell even more.

“My thing is making sure my effort is there. I gotta be able to fill a different role. Right now, I’ve got the ball in my hands. Who knows if that’s my role or not. So it’s all about having my effort there. That’s the only thing I want to make sure is there.”

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Ousmane Dieng’s slow day 

There’s only one lottery pick on the Thunder’s Summer League roster. 

He’s two years removed from that draft, fresh off claiming his stake as G League Finals MVP and entering a pivotal third season. Ousmane Dieng remains a wildly significant variable for the Thunder. 

His third season, one that could change both his and the Thunder’s trajectory, acts as a pendulum of sorts. As one silver ball swings left, it dangles the idea that Dieng could be a rotational power forward for a team that only approves the background checks of big decision makers these days. As the opposite ball takes flight, it tosses up Dieng’s place as a developing 21-year-old on a contender. 

Monday’s tip of Summer League play felt like Dieng’s prime opportunity to separate himself as by far the most experienced player on the roster. 

Dieng’s teammates put him in some advantageous positions; Jones began the second half by putting him in short rolls, and Mitchell found him in the first half for what felt like an obvious lob to all but the defense. But Dieng didn’t pop in all his on-ball scenarios. 

He shot just 3 for 14 Monday. His pick-and-roll opportunities, offered in abundance early, were thwarted. The length and silky pace that he used to roll over much of the G League didn’t go over as smoothly Monday. 

“The goal for him is the same as everybody else: Come out here, compete, be about the team, stack good days,” coach Kam Woods said. 

“It’s interesting, you have a guy like him, he’s in his third year (and) you have rookies who have the same goals. But it just goes to show how important those things are regardless of where you are in your career.” 

Dieng will have opportunities to prove Monday’s appearance was an anomaly. But his Salt Lake City debut hardly satisfied the appetite of those hoping Dieng swings into the Thunder’s rotation. 

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Adam Flagler’s green light

Kam Woods has reason to trust Adam Flagler. 

For much of last season, Flagler torched the nets en route to a G League title. He shot 39.8% from deep on 7.2 attempts, enough shotmaking to eventually earn the nod that saw the Thunder convert his contract to a two-way. 

Monday’s game was a 48-minute trust fall. 

First, Flagler let loose with catch-and-shoot attempts from the hash mark. Later, he’d chuck quick trigger 3s from small windows, with rotating defenses threatening him. Eventually, everything went up. 

Flagler finished with a team-high 18 points, making 6 of his 14 attempts from deep. 

Catch-and-shoot, transition, pull-up 3s. Flagler put up enough for the Delta Center rims to eventually take a liking to him. 

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OKC Thunder Salt Lake City Summer League schedule

All times are Central Standard Time

• Monday: 76ers 102, Thunder 92
• Tuesday: vs. Utah Jazz, 8 p.m. (ESPN2, 98.1 FM)
• Wednesday: vs. Memphis Grizzlies, 6 p.m. (NBATV, 98.1 FM)