Thunder vs Suns recap: Buddy Boeheim scores 20, but OKC falls to 0-3 in NBA Summer League
LAS VEGAS — The Thunder remains winless in Las Vegas, falling to 0-3 in Summer League after a 100-99 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. Here are three takeaways:
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Rookies and Adam Flagler out of Summer League
Dillon Jones and Ajay Mitchell’s summers were always going to be cut short.
After full displays in the Salt Lake City Summer League and a couple games in Las Vegas, Oklahoma City’s two active rookies, as well as sophomore Adam Flagler, were shut down for the remainder of the Thunder’s schedule.
“They’ve had a good showing from Utah and then to Vegas, so it’s just another opportunity for the other guys to develop on the roster,” coach Daniel Dixon said. “And I thought they did a really good job of getting themselves in a better place moving forward as well.”
Mitchell played some point guard, facilitating and earning his stay in the paint. Jones fluctuated, trying to grasp his role with the Thunder summer squad while anticipating who he is for the Thunder’s big league squad. Flagler chucked and scored to his heart’s content.
The three were the heart and soul of a Thunder team still aiming for a win in Vegas. Now they’ll leave it to the rest of the summer crew — which still bears resemblance to the Thunder’s G League squad — to chase one.
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Keyontae Johnson decides game
Keyontae Johnson was almost a hero. That’s the way it was drawn up.
OKC put the ball in Johnson’s hands on its final possession. From the sideline, the ball found Johnson, all alone on the empty side post without any sufficient help. He dribbled, he changed shoulders and he rose. The turnaround jumper that followed should’ve ended the game.
With the Thunder ahead with just over two seconds to play, Phoenix’s David Roddy chucked a moving 3. The whistle blew on his way down, with Johnson being the culprit.
Roddy drilled all three free throws to seal a win.
“It was just Keyontae trying to make a good play for us, didn’t go our way,” Dixon said “The intention was good. He was trying to compete the entire time.”
With a chunk of the Thunder’s core out, the weight of the team’s remaining summer slate slid into Johnson’s hands. On Wednesday, that meant deciding the fate of the game.
Johnson saw as much volume as anyone, pairing 16 points on 8-for-19 shooting with seven boards and four assists. He bulldozed his way through the scoring burden of being a top option, something that Dixon expected after the year Johnson had with the Oklahoma City Blue.
“It’s nothing that we’re not used to,” Dixon said. “The outside world may be surprised, but we’re not. He’s a really good player, really talented. He was really aggressive tonight.”
Dixon noted earlier in the week that Johnson aims to fit into the team scheme, hardly popping if it means stepping outside of that. With Jones, Mitchell and Flagler in the lineup, it often sent Johnson into the background.
But Wednesday, through high volume and Herculean responsibility, Johnson gave OKC a chance. That’s the version of Johnson that Dixon knew and needed.
“We always want him to be aggressive,” Dixon said. “We always believe in him. He’s a talented guy who, when he has opportunity, he’s always going to take advantage of it.”
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Shooters shoot
Few things summarize the backend of Vegas Summer League like the lineup Dixon trotted out in Wednesday’s loss.
Cormac Ryan, Buddy Boeheim and Miller Kopp. All wing shooters, all somewhat interchangeable, yet not redundant enough to keep Dixon from combining their forces.
And on Wednesday, it made magic.
The three combined for 38 points, making a total of 12 3-pointers on 22 attempts.
“They make a lot of shots,” Dixon said with a smirk. “I think that’s always a good thing for a team. They each bring something individual. Even though they’re shooters, they all bring something to the table that’s a bit different.”
Dixon has confidently thrust two of them onto the floor at the same time throughout summer play. Not so much all three, though. But with the team’s new outlook, Boeheim knew what to expect.
“(Dixon) told us before the game, ‘Be ready, we’re gonna run a lot of stuff for shooters,’” Boeheim said.
Wednesday was a shooter’s dream. All three reaped the benefits. On the Thunder’s first possession, it ran an elevator set for Boeheim, clearing the way for his first clean catch.
The sheer amount of catch-and-shoots began to look like a flipbook. Catch. Rise. Cash. Repeat. Long stretches of jumpers, short thought processes before they were hoisted up. A blur of an offense that could even make Boeheim dizzy.
“It’s like, if I miss one, then Miller’s gonna make the next one, Cormac hit two in a row,” Boeheim said. “I think the offense was as good as it’s been tonight, scoring 100 points. Really fun.”
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Final: Suns 100, Thunder 99
Rough break for the Thunder, who remains winless (0-3) in Las Vegas Summer League. Keyontae Johnson gets a clean look at a turnaround, puts OKC up two. Then, with two seconds, Johnson is called for a foul while David Roddy shoots a moving 3, giving him 3 FTs. He nailed all 3.
Buddy Boeheim scored 20 points to lead OKC, which plays Golden State at 9:30 p.m. Friday.
Half: Thunder 55, Suns 47
Thunder ahead 55-47 at half. Boeheim, Ryan and Kopp have combined for 29 points and nine 3s on 18 attempts.
Adam Flagler, Dillon Jones and Ajay Mitchell are done for rest of NBA Summer League
Adam Flagler, Dillon Jones and Ajay Mitchell won’t be available for the remainder of the Thunder’s Summer League schedule, per the team.
Per a team spokesperson, the three have had sufficient reps and experience, and the team is shifting its focus to providing ample opportunity for the remainder of the roster.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
Thunder vs Suns start time today
Date: Wednesday, July 17
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Where: Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas
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What channel is Thunder vs Suns on TV today?
TV: NBATV, Bally Sports Oklahoma
How to watch online: Fubo (free trial)
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OKC Thunder summer league schedule in Las Vegas
All times are Central Standard Time
Saturday, July 13: Raptors 94, Thunder 69
Monday, July 15: Heat 102, Thunder 73
Wednesday, July 17: vs. Phoenix Suns, 7 p.m. (Bally Sports Oklahoma/NBA TV)
Friday, July 19: vs. Golden State Warriors, 9:30 p.m. (Bally Sports Oklahoma/NBA TV)
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder vs Suns recap: OKC falls to 0-3 in NBA Summer League
