Top Performers: Mann Goes for 23 to Power Thunder Past Sixers, Dieng Bounces Back
The Oklahoma City Thunder got off to an incredibly hot start against the Philadelphia Sixers in their third and final game of Salt Lake City’s Summer League play on Thursday night. A strong first half by the Thunder resulted in a massive lead and they were able to stave off a pesky Sixers’ comeback attempt, 100-91.
In a dazzling display of offense through the first two quarters, the Thunder poured in a whopping 62 points while holding the Sixers to just 32. The second half was a different story as Oklahoma City struggled to contain Terquavion Smith, Javonte Smart, and Jordan Tucker as they powered the Sixers to just a five-point deficit late in the fourth frame.
Here’s the top performers from Oklahoma City’s third Summer League game:
Tre Mann
The third-year guard out of Florida continued to impress in his third game in Salt Lake. Mann seemed more poised, confident, and thoughtful with his approach to the game of basketball as he carved up the Sixers’ defense by way of pull-up 3-pointers and play-making.
Blessed with incredible quickness and a crisp, creative handle, Mann had no problems shifting gears, getting into the paint and collapsing Philadelphia’s defense. He took full advantage too, finishing strong around the rim, converting on mid-range shots, and slipping the ball to open teammates.
Operating as the lead ball-handler, Mann finished with a game-high 23 points while earning seven trips to the free throw line, going 4-for-10 from behind the arc, generating five assists, and grabbing a team-high eight rebounds in 31 minutes.
Ousmane Dieng
After getting off to a shaky start in the first two games of Summer League action, the 6-foot-10 Frenchman reminded everyone why the Thunder took him with the 11th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft after dropping a highly efficient 22 points and using his length on the defensive end to help power Oklahoma City to a win.
Dieng played his role well on the offensive end, and then some, running several hand-off actions, setting good screens, and freeing his teammates up to get into the paint or shoot a less-contested shot. His active cutting and attention to the offensive glass earned him several easy looks around the rim, as well.
While his nine turnovers were problematic, Dieng still finished as the second-leading scorer for the Thunder, making two of his three 3-point attempts, while producing 10 boards, three assists, three steals, and one block in 31 minutes.
Jared Butler
The former Baylor Bear and NCAA national champion continued to make a case for himself to stay on the Thunder's roster, piecing together another strong game versus the Sixers, showing excellent poise as a 3-point shooter, playing sound defense, and making things happen with his vision and passing chops.
Butler played within the flow of the offense all night long, never taking an ill-advised shot, but scored on just 3-of-9 of his attempts. However, he was able to make up for that with active hands, good help defense, timely dishes, and great ball movement.
The 22-year-old guard finished with nine points, two boards, five assists, three steals, and just two turnovers in 23 minutes of action.
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