Memphis Grizzlies forward Kenny Lofton Jr. (6) looks to shoot against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) during the first half of an NBA summer league basketball game Wednesday, July 6, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jeff Swinger)
Thunder 98 - Jazz 77
Thunder 87 -Grizzlies 71
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City requested and was granted permission from the NBA to play in the Salt Lake City Summer League and the Las Vegas Summer League. In the summer league, most teams send rookies or players needing development.
The Thunder kicked off the SLC Summer League schedule with Northwest Division rival Utah Jazz. The Jazz got out to an early three-point lead, but the Thunder responded right away going on a 22-3 run sparked by sophomore star 6’8” guard Josh Giddey.
Giddey showed a lot of promise in the 2021-2022 season becoming the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double at only 19 years old. However, a hip injury sidelined him for most of the latter half of the season.
The Thunder wrapped up an impressive first quarter with a 20-point lead. The scoring was fast paced and back and forth in the second quarter with OKC taking a 47-32 lead. The second half showed more of the same as both teams were trading buckets back and forth. When the final buzzer sounded the Thunder pulled away with a 21-point victory.
Chet Holmgren, the No. 2 overall draft pick, had a great first impression. the 7’1 forward showed out with 23 points, four assists, seven rebounds and six blocks for the evening. The Number 12 overall pick, Jalen Williams, also had an impressive showing with 17 points and five rebounds.
The Thunder took the floor once again in SLC against the Memphis Grizzlies. Both teams came out of the gate with red hot offenses. OKC got out to an eight-point lead during the first quarter but saw that lead evaporate as both teams finished the first ten minutes of play. As the first quarter ended, they were deadlocked at 20 points apiece.
Both teams continued the trend in the second quarter with the red-hot offensive performances. The Thunder were able to take a narrow lead into the halftime break at 48-43.
Oklahoma City was able to continue the trend and was able to tighten up defensively to take a 15-point lead into the fourth quarter. OKC was able to ride the momentum down the stretch and take the victory over the Grizzlies.
Jalen Williams led all scorers with 16 points in the contest.