The Oklahoma City Thunder were able to escape Wednesday with a summer league win over the Sacramento Kings, 86-80.
The Thunder led comfortably for most of the game, but a 27-18 scoring advantage by the Kings in the fourth quarter was a cause of concern for a win.
Either way, the result of the game was inconsequential. The bright spots from this win was the fact that Tre Mann and Ousmane Dieng — two players who’ve struggled offensively so far in summer league — had their best games by far.
Let’s take a look at player grades as the Thunder win their fourth summer league game.
Tre Mann: A
This was easily Tre Mann’s best summer league game so far. Mann finished with 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting that included going 3-of-5 from deep as well as seven assists and six rebounds.
With Giddey absent, a handful of possessions were vacated. Mann was one of the beneficiaries of this as he got more ball-handling possessions than before.
Mann looked much more comfortable this game as he was able to gain rhythm with the ball due to his self-creation skills.
Unfortunately, Mann suffered a lower-leg injury in the fourth quarter that caused him to hobble off of the court and miss the remainder of the game. It’s unknown what the severity of the injury is as of right now.
Ousmane Dieng: A
Ousmane Dieng was always going to be a long-term project on offense but this game showed a glimpse of scoring potential. Dieng finished with 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting that included a step-back three that left the fanbase wanting more.
Like Mann, Dieng was able to pick up some of the ball-handling possessions Giddey left behind as he brought the ball up to the court much more often than in previous summer league games.
Dieng’s drives and finishes around the rim were also impressive this game as he used his giant frame to create space to get decently-open looks.
Chet Holmgren: B
Chet Holmgren’s length was the story of the game for him as there were several Kings possessions that he singlehandedly ruined due to his arms clogging passing lanes and poking the ball out of a player’s pocket.
This results in Holmgren stealing the ball a summer-league-record five times.
On offense, Holmgren finished with just eight points on 3-of-8 shooting. What makes this even more discouraging is the fact that five of those points came in the first two minutes of the game. Which means that Holmgren only scored three points in the final 38 minutes of action.
While it’s nice to see Holmgren not force anything and have a team-first mentality, it’s pretty hard to justify the No. 2 pick in the draft shooting the ball just eight times in a relaxed environment like summer league.
Holmgren needs some serious work with his handle as the slightest bump loosens the ball, but that should not discourage him from experimenting and letting him take more shots.
Jalen Williams: B
Jalen Williams continues to be solid in summer league as he scored 12 points on an efficient 4-of-7 shooting. This included going 3-of-4 from the free-throw line. Williams also was a bit sloppy with the ball with three turnovers.
But overall, Williams is just a good basketball player who uses his frame to his advantage.
Aaron Wiggins: B+
Aaron Wiggins continues to play well as he finished with 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting. Wiggins was also able to generate free throws as he went 4-of-4 from the line.
Wiggins was a bit sloppy with ball security as well with three turnovers, which is a high amount for a player that rarely handles the ball.
Eugene Omoruyi: A
The two-way players has quietly been a good surprise for the Thunder as he has held his own in his minutes. In this game, Eugene Omoruyi finished with 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting.
It was a little perplexed to see the Thunder sign a 25-year-old undrafted player onto one of their two two-way spots, but so far in summer league, he’s used his bulky size well at finishing around the rim.
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