The OKC Thunder are two games into their NBA Summer League tournament. Thursday offers a day off from competitive action.
In all, the club will play five games with two games completed. OKC has split the results with one win and one defeat so far. In their opening match, the Thunder defeated top draft pick Cade Cunningham and his Detroit Pistons. The club followed that up with a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans in Game 2.
The squad will be back in action on Friday (tomorrow) when they face the Golden State Warriors. Summer League is always exciting as the quick tournament offers a peek at the youngsters on the club and particularly the rookies.
Unfortunately, Thunder Nation hasn’t had much opportunity to witness what top OKC pick Josh Giddey will provide. The Australian point guard rolled his ankle early versus the Pistons. That led to resting him versus the Pelicans and he remains on the sidelines listed as day-to-day.
OKC Thunder guard Mann will miss the rest of NBA Summer League
As is typical of any NBA club, when one player is sidelined the next man up mentality is employed. In this case, it equated to a trio of rookies getting more opportunity with point guard Tre Mann, shooting guard Aaron Wiggins, and power forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl capitalizing.
Mann got off to a slower start in his debut with six points and three rebounds but had a strong second game registering 12 points, six rebounds, and seven assists. Notably, Mann had a steal and a block in both games.
BREAKING: #Thunder rookie Tre Mann will miss the rest of Summer League due to a personal matter, per the Thunder #ThunderUp
— Ryan Chapman (@_RyanChapman) August 12, 2021
While each of the trio has shown a propensity to deliver on both ends Wiggins has been the most efficient scoring the ball. In Game 1, he scored 13 points (6 of 11) adding five rebounds, an assist, and three steals. Wiggins followed up that effort as the top Thunder point-getter against the Pels with16 points plus chipped in five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block.
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Robinson-Earl showcased his all-around game checking off almost every statistical category in his games. Versus the Pistons he registered 14 points, six rebounds, two steals, and a block. Against the Pels he delivered eight points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block.
Unfortunately, Mann won’t be on hand for the next match or the remainder of the Summer League. The OKC Thunder advised the point guard won’t be with the team listing ‘personal matter’ listed as the reason.
Although it would be wonderful to see Giddey in Vegas and more of Mann, the priority is their health so we’ll have to exercise patience. Besides, the start of the 2021-22 season isn’t that far away with this season having to adapt to the pandemic.