Chet Holmgren made a triumphant return to the basketball court after a year-long absence due to foot surgery. Playing in the Salt Lake Summer League, the rookie for the Oklahoma City Thunder showcased his skills and resilience. Despite looking exhausted and bearing the physical toll of the game, Holmgren persevered.
In the first quarter, he struggled with rust but eventually found his rhythm. The Thunder went on to defeat the Utah Jazz 95-85, but the focus was on Holmgren’s highly anticipated comeback. He expressed his joy at being able to compete again after months of hard work and rehabilitation.
Standing at 7 feet 1 inch, Holmgren started the game, played for 29 minutes, and contributed 15 points. He demonstrated his scoring ability mainly inside the arc, making six out of 14 attempts. From the free-throw line, he made three out of six shots. Additionally, Holmgren grabbed nine rebounds and provided two assists.
However, his impact was most notable on the defensive end. He recorded four blocks, including an impressive one in the fourth quarter. In his debut at the Salt Lake City Summer League last year, Holmgren had achieved six blocks. His presence as a shot blocker provided confidence to his teammates, making paint protection easier and allowing them to defend their opponents more aggressively.
With Holmgren on the court, the Thunder outscored the Jazz by 13 points, showcasing his positive influence on the team’s performance. Holmgren emphasized the importance of starting the game aggressively and not being timid, acknowledging that mistakes and missed shots are part of the game. He plans to review the game tape to identify areas for improvement and ensure a quicker adjustment in future appearances.
In conclusion, Chet Holmgren’s return to competitive basketball was met with excitement and anticipation. Despite facing early challenges, he displayed his skills and defensive prowess, contributing significantly to the Thunder’s victory. His performance provided a glimpse of his potential impact in the NBA Summer League and beyond.
Tre Mann’s highlight-reel slam
Tre Mann’s dunk during the summer league was absolutely spectacular. It was an explosive move where he soared from the left side of the paint and delivered a thunderous slam right over Jazzman Micah Potter. The whole play was so impressive that even his teammate Jalen Williams couldn’t believe it. Mann seemed to hang in the air for a moment, making it even more memorable.
Apart from the highlight-worthy dunk, Mann also showcased his scoring abilities, finishing the game with an impressive 20 points, including hitting 4 out of 8 shots from behind the three-point line.
While the dunk was undoubtedly one of the best plays of the summer league, it might be too early to officially crown it as the absolute best. Summer league games are a great opportunity for young players to show off their skills, but it’s essential to keep in mind that it’s a different level of competition compared to the regular NBA season.
However, there’s no denying that Tre Mann’s dunk was a remarkable moment and has certainly caught the attention of many fans and basketball enthusiasts. As the summer league continues and more highlights unfold, we’ll see if any other dunks can rival Mann’s electrifying slam.
Jalen Williams is exceptional.
Jalen Williams had an impressive performance during the Summer League game. At halftime, he had already scored 21 points, making 8 of his 12 shots. He looked like a standout player, making it seem as though someone had invited a dominant player to join a playground game. Williams expressed his love for basketball and the joy he felt being able to finally play against opponents instead of just practicing with his coaches all summer.
During the game, Williams showcased a new hairstyle, sporting cornrows. He made a significant impact early on, scoring the Thunder’s first nine points. However, he didn’t attempt many shots in the second half and didn’t score any points after halftime. Despite this, his performance before the break was highly impressive.
Tip-ins of thunder
After signing Vasilije Micic and Jack White, they were seen sitting on the sideline close to the Thunder’s bench, alongside members of the team’s front office.
Cason Wallace is currently with the team in Salt Lake City, but he won’t be playing until the Las Vegas Summer League. This is because his official membership with the team is waiting for a trade to be processed.
The Thunder’s Summer League coach, David Akinyooye, has a record of 1-0. In the starting lineup, he had Jalen Williams, Jaylin Williams, Ousmane Dieng, Mann, and Holmgren. Jared Butler, Jaden Shackelford, Hunter Maldonado, and Zhaire Smith came off the bench.
Jaylin Williams, who led the NBA last season in drawn charges, managed to take three charges during Monday night’s game.
After the game, former college teammates Jalen Williams and Keshawn Justice, who played together for three seasons at Santa Clara, exchanged jerseys. Justice, a 6-foot-7 forward, went undrafted after five seasons at Santa Clara but was added to the Jazz’s summer league roster.
The Delta Center’s lower bowl was filled to capacity, with some fans even sitting in the front rows of the upper deck.
Pregame: Thunder’s Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Keyontae Johnson are injured
The Thunder will not have two players, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Keyontae Johnson, for the Salt Lake City Summer League due to injuries – Robinson-Earl with a right ankle sprain and Johnson with a right hamstring strain. They will miss the game against the Jazz on Monday at 8 p.m., but there is a chance they could participate in the Las Vegas Summer League starting on Saturday.
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl has had issues with his right ankle in the past and missed significant playing time last season because of it. However, his salary for this season has recently become guaranteed, and there is a team option for the next season.
Keyontae Johnson, a rookie from Florida and Kansas State, was drafted by the Thunder as the 50th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
On the Jazz’s side, two of their first-round picks, Taylor Hendricks (No. 9 pick) and Brice Sensabaugh (No. 28 pick), will also miss the Monday night game due to injuries.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault faced challenges in game planning with the involvement of his new baby.