Everyone’s luck is ultimately exhausted in Las Vegas.
OKC Thunder was trying to become the first franchise to win an NBA championship and win the following Las Vegas Summer League title. But the Charlotte Hornets had other plans.
OKC suffered a defeat of 109-80 against Charlotte in the semi-finals. The Thunder, who was without Ajay Mitchell and Nikola Topić, dragged for every 54 seconds except 54.
It marked the end of OKC time in Las Vegas, but he can count his tokens with pride. The Thunder received solid players from players such as Mitchell and Topić, which will compete for a few minutes next season, and they have potentially hit the jackpot with other players such as Brooks Barnhizer and Chris Youngblood.
“I thought the guys had made a lot of progress throughout the time (in Las Vegas), and it’s promising,” said OKC summer league trainer Connor Johnson. “There are a lot of positive points to take away.”
OKC will now go to the pre-season 2025-26, which begins on October 5 with a match against null other than Charlotte in Charleston, in South Carolina.
Here are four other take -out dishes of the game:
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Branden Carlson has shown lightning lightnings
The position of MJ Walker, although it was opened, was far from inviting.
When Branden Carlson looked for a way to get around the Charlotte goalkeeper on the perimeter, he met a elbow to the rib cage. It was a clear sign to save.
So he did it. Carlson separated from Walker with a 3 -time pointer at 3, who found the bottom of the net. This marked the second bucket straight out of dribbling for the 7 -foot center in the middle of the first quarter.
One day OKC was without his players, Mitchell and Topić, Carlson showed an ability to create for himself. The 26 -year -old great man recorded 12 points and seven rebounds on a shot of 5 per 10 from the field (1 for 3 of Deep).
Carlson impressed this summer after missing the first five OKC games due to an ankle sprain. He collected an average of 11.7 points, six rebounds and 2.3 assists throughout three games out of 56.7% shot on the field (50% deep).
Carlson is expected to join OKC next season. He recently signed a new two -way contract.
Charlotte dared Brooks Barnhizer to shoot Deep
While Youngblood was waiting to enter the ball at the end of the second quarter, Barnhizer slowly slipped to the 3 -point line.
Barnhizer was not followed by a defender, but it was by design. The Hornets, who had invaded Thunder All on Defense, considered other threats to be greater priority.
Barnhizer gathered a pass at the top of the arc, and he had a lot of space to let him fly. The ball closed the left side of the rim.
Barnhizer shone this summer as a strong defender, an aggressive rebounder and a good finisher who can absorb the contract. But his 3 -point shot remains a work in progress, which is why Charlotte dared to shoot throughout the match.
Barnhizer finished with 10 points and three rebounds. He went 3 for 12 on the field (1 for 6 of Deep).
After being selected by OKC in the second round (44th in total) of the 2025 draft, Barnhizer played in the eight games of the summer league of his team. It collected an average of 10.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.6 interceptions out of 47.7% of shooting in the field (25% deep).
Chris Youngblood finished his convincing race for the summer league
Thomas & Mack Center was silent.
Its seats, filled at the start of the summer league, were now mainly empty. Some fans had returned home. Others had better plans for a Saturday night in Las Vegas than watching a Blowout match.
But even with the air out of the room, OKC received a brief spark in the middle of the third quarter. He came from his upper flame thrower, Youngblood, who pierced a pair of 3 points on consecutive property.
This was not enough to run things for OKC, which has always been eliminated from the playoffs. But it was the final fireworks of Youngblood fireworks, which delivered a dazzling exhibition of 3 -point fire this summer.
After not having been selected in the 2025 draft, Youngblood took advantage of its opportunities in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. He collected an average of 11 points throughout eight games out of 46.5% Deep shooting.
Youngblood has shown a convincing file to win the third and last double -direction contract of OKC. The other two spots went to Carlson and Barnhizer.
Erik Reynolds II made his minutes count in the section
The second half of the Saturday eruption match may not have noted much for most people, but that meant something for Erik Reynolds II.
The OKC rescue guard scored its 16 points in the last two quarters. He went 5 for 12 on the field (5 for 11 of Deep).
After spending the four seasons of his university career at Saint Joseph, Reynolds was not selected in the 2025 draft. He then joined OKC for the summer league but had trouble seeing the ground.
Reynolds participated in the Saturday competition with an average of 6.8 minutes played for six games, and he did not play in another match. But he recorded 21 minutes against Charlotte and used this precious time to present his tire shooting skills.
It is difficult to imagine that Reynolds wins the last two -way OKC contract on a player like Youngblood, who caught fire in the depths throughout the summer league race. But that could be worth the thunderclap closer to his affiliate of the G League, the OKC Blue.
Justin Martinez covers sports for Oklahoman. Do you have a story idea for Justin? It can be attached to jartinez@oklahoman.com or on X / Twitter at @justintohoops. Register for the Newsletter Thunder Sports Minute To access NBA coverage. Support the work of Justin and that of other journalists from Oklahoman by buying a Digital subscription today on subscription.oklahoman.com.
