Thunder vs Jazz recap: Dillon Jones, Ousmane Dieng lead OKC past Utah in NBA Summer League
Joel LorenziSALT LAKE CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Utah Jazz, 98-75, in Game 2 of its Salt Lake City Summer League trip on Tuesday night. Here are takeaways from the game:
More:10 forgotten OKC Thunder standouts over the years at NBA Summer League
Dillon Jones at home in SLC
Who knows what would’ve been if Brice Sensabaugh hadn’t clapped.
On an unremarkable Tuesday in Salt Lake City, Dillon Jones merely hoped to find a driving angle from the corner in the second quarter of the Thunder’s Summer League win. When Sensabaugh cut off his air, Jones reset. Jones might’ve gotten off the ball, perhaps unwilling to force a shot. He might’ve taken the shot regardless, responsible for reaching a dead end and left without much time for a better look.
But then Sensabaugh clapped in Jones’ face and settled into his stance. By all the rules hoopers grow up with, the code that denies disrespect and equates clapping to a slap in the face, Jones was almost left with no choice.
He pulled up in Sensabaugh’s face. And after it fell, Jones barked back toward him as they retreated down the floor.
“I don’t want to say I don’t know why he was clapping, but I guess he thought that he was playing good defense or something,” Jones said. “And he did, I just really hit a tough shot. … I’m not even a trash talker, honestly. It was just the moment, I guess.”
Jones claims he isn’t a trash talker. That it was the moment speaking on his behalf when he turned to Sensabaugh.
Fellow rookie Ajay Mitchell had a different story.
“Dillon’s petty, so if you get him going, he’s gonna try to get a bucket,” Mitchell said. “That’s what he did. That’s how he is. He’s a bucket.”
Jones appeared to have a penchant for pettiness.
By then, Jones had more points than minutes. He finished with 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, made 7 of his 8 attempts and drilled all 3 of his 3-point attempts.
Jones’ debut was a fairly solid glimpse of who he can be. Tuesday was evidence of why Sam Presti traded into the first round for him.
His change of speed, at his size, can be laughable — At 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds, Jones slicing through the lane can appear like a hammer forcing its way through a keyhole. Still, he gets through. With an innate understanding of angles. With a frame that refuses to take no for an answer.
“It’s all about knowing timing, knowing pace, knowing space,” Jones said. “… A game under my belt, get it out my system, and now I'm able to think the game.”
Jones’ assist totals are hardly indicative of his processing. His reads, ranging from simple to complex but still overflowing, aren’t always converted. But two days into the gig, he’s comfortable. Enough to talk back a little more than he might usually.
More:Watch Jack Gohlke hit his first 3-pointer in NBA Summer League with OKC Thunder
Ousmane Dieng trying defenders, trying to be aggressive all at once
Darius Bazley 2, Ousmane Dieng 0.
That was the count once Dieng, a third-year forward hardly known for trying to put rim defenders in body bags, twice met Bazley at the rim Tuesday.
But it was as encouraging a sight as Dieng or his teammates had seen from the Frenchman during their stay in Salt Lake City. And it didn’t end with Bazley.
Dieng tallied 20 points on 18 shots, adding 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and making 4 of his 6 3-pointers. His drives, typically fueled by a leisurely pace, carried added aggression. They came in bunches. And despite a lack of success inside, Dieng never stopped trying to slither his way there.
“He’s seen this before,” coach Kam Woods said of Dieng. “He’s done it. There’s a level of comfort. … Being a third year guy on the team, people look at him and lean on him, and I think he does a good job of settling us when he comes out and competes.”
Dieng’s play Monday raised questions. Despite being the youngest player on OKC’s summer roster — “he’s a vet in a way in comparison to me, but he’s younger than me,” Jones laughed — but he’s also the most experienced. A G League Finals MVP, the Salt Lake setting was expected to be his playground.
Everything fans hoped to see him from Monday — aggression, decisiveness, confidence — was prominent on Tuesday.
“Just trying to be aggressive,” Dieng said. “Try to dunk every time I drive.”
Dieng still possesses the tools to be a rotational player. Whether he sharpens them and puts them to use, consistently looking closer to his Tuesday performance, is what fans are holding their breath for.
It’s unclear what’ll help Dieng get there. If it’s a matter of confidence, Dieng might be covered now more than ever.
“It was dope,” Jones said of Dieng’s mid-air meetings with Bazley. “Small sample size, but if he tried him eight more times, I think he can catch him. I’m glad he tried him. He need to try him again. He’s gonna have more opportunity to try him, and I'm gonna keep hyping him up and telling him to.
“I just keep pumping him with confidence, because he’s got all the talent and ability to be whatever he wants to be.”
More:Who is Dillon Jones? Meet OKC Thunder rookie and family who led him to NBA
FINAL: Thunder 98, Jazz 75
Thunder with a convincing 98-75 win over the Jazz on Day 2 of SLC SL. Pretty complete showing from Dillon Jones: 21-7-4 (7/8). Dieng looked a lot more aggressive than Monday. Added 20-5-5, went 4 for 6 from deep. Ajay Mitchell with an effortless 11 & 10.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
Fourth quarter: March Madness hero Jack Gohlke debuts in NBA Summer League
Crowd was as loud as it’s been off that Gohlke bucket with two minutes left. He has a legit following.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
More:10 forgotten OKC Thunder standouts over the years at NBA Summer League
End 3Q: Thunder 78, Jazz 54
Dillon Jones hasn’t made many mistakes tonight. 6 of 7, and his two turnovers pale in comparison to the countless reads he’s made. Good find at the end of the quarter for a Cormac Ryan 3. 19-7-4 going into the 4th. Pretty, pretty good.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
Half: Thunder 58, Jazz 40
Thunder ahead 58-40 at half. Monster Dillon Jones half. Making his way to the rim, hitting pullups, getting to the line, defending fairly well. 17 points on 5-for-6 shooting (3/3 from deep). Dieng, though not super successful at the rim, has clearly been more aggressive.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
End 1Q: Thunder 29, Jazz 16
OKC ahead 29-16 after 1. Dieng looking much closer to what he probably should be in this setting. Putting down two-handers, meeting guys at the rim, taking (and making) 3s, using ball fakes and getting to the rim. Jones also constantly getting to the rim. 9 pts, 4/5 FTs.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
More:10 forgotten OKC Thunder standouts over the years at NBA Summer League
Thunder vs. Jazz starting lineups: OKC facing Cody Williams, Darius Bazley
Thunder starters same as yesterday: Ajay Mitchell, Adam Flagler, Dillon Jones, Ousmane Dieng and Kylor Kelley.
Jazz starters: Darius Bazley, Cody Williams, Isaiah Collier, Brice Sensabaugh, Kenneth Lofton Jr.
Pregame: Thunder-Jazz game may start a little late
7:55 p.m.: The Thunder is in the tunnel awaiting the finish to Grizzlies vs Sixers. Keyontae Johnson is in street clothes.
Thunder vs Jazz start time today
- Date: Tuesday, July 9
- Time: 8 p.m. CT
- Where: Delta Center in Salt Lake City
More:Why did Isaiah Hartenstein join OKC Thunder in free agency? Sam Presti, culture were key
What channel is Thunder vs Jazz on TV today?
- TV: ESPN2
- Radio: 98.1 FM, 640 AM
- Streaming: Fubo (free trial).
More:Isaiah Hartenstein thrilled OKC Thunder 'not skipping steps' on NBA championship journey
Thunder vs Jazz live score updates in NBA Summer League
More:Who is Dillon Jones? Meet OKC Thunder rookie and family who led him to NBA
OKC Thunder Summer League Roster
- F Buddy Boeheim
- F Clarence Daniels
- F Ousmane Dieng
- F Alex Ducas
- G Adam Flagler
- G Jack Gohlke
- F Keyontae Johnson
- F Dillon Jones
- C Kylor Kelley
- F Miller Kopp
- F Malevy Leons
- G Hunter Maldonado
- G Ajay Mitchell
- C Tre Mitchell
- G Cormac Ryan
- G Jaden Shackelford
- G Jaykwon Walton
- C KJ Williams
More:What's next for the OKC Thunder? Player report cards, key offseason dates
Thunder vs Jazz highlights in NBA Summer League
More:NBA Summer League 2024: OKC Thunder roster, schedule and everything else to know
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.