The Oklahoma City Thunder’s struggles in the 2026 NBA Summer League continued Thursday as the team fell 97-87 to the Dallas Mavericks at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The loss drops the Thunder to an 0-7 record across both the Salt Lake City and Las Vegas portions of the summer circuit.
A depleted roster
Entering the matchup, the Thunder were significantly shorthanded. The team officially ruled out first-round selections Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz for the remainder of the Summer League to prioritize their health and avoid injury risks. In their absence, the Thunder relied on a starting lineup featuring Anthony Pritchard, Nate Johnson, Josh Dix, Brooks Barnhizer, and Christoph Tilly.
Despite the lack of key personnel, Brooks Barnhizer provided a bright spot for Oklahoma City, recording 21 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists in 29 minutes of action. Barnhizer shot efficiently from the field, connecting on eight of 16 attempts.
Game flow and outlook
The game remained competitive through the first half, with Dallas holding a narrow 49-45 lead at the break. However, the Mavericks found their rhythm in the third quarter, shooting 53.3% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc to outscore the Thunder and extend their lead to 14 points heading into the final frame. John Poulakidas led the Mavericks with 19 points.
With only one game remaining on their schedule, the Thunder are slated to face an undetermined opponent on Saturday. The team looks to conclude a challenging summer campaign on a positive note before shifting focus to training camp preparations.