Tre Mann returns to score 13 points in OKC Thunder loss

The Oklahoma City Thunder wrapped up their first session of the 2022 NBA Summer League in Salt Lake City with three games in as many nights sprint in Salt Lake City playing the Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, and tonight the Philadelphia 76ers. The OKC Thunder saw second-year guard, and prolific scorer, Tre Mann returns to the hardwood from Health and Safety protocols.

With Tre Mann returning, Josh Giddey played his third straight game in as many nights, but 2nd overall pick and rookie Chet Holmgren would be sidelined for rest in this contest. Holmgren mentioned the altitude of Salt Lake City got to him a bit in game two. The hopeful franchise cornerstone, Chet Holmgren, will be made available for the Vegas Summer League circuit which starts on July 9th for the Oklahoma City Thunder as they take on Jabari Smith Jr and the Houston Rockets.

The Oklahoma City Thunder see Tre Mann return to the hardwood, but suffer their first 2022 Salt Lake City Summer League loss, ending the circuit 2-1

Tre Mann, like Josh Giddey, saw his rookie season summer league cut short due to injury. Back as a second-year player after a fantastic rookie campaign, Mann made his return to Summer League on Thursday after being out for the first two games due to health and safety protocols.

Mann’s rookie year was highlighted by a 35-point outburst against one of the best defenses in the sport, the Boston Celtics, posting 30 points in Madison Square Garden, and 29 points in Dallas as a 21-year-old rookie.

In his Summer League return, Tre Mann posted 13 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals shooting 35 percent from the floor, and 1-for-5 from three-point land. There is a case to be made for Mann to play during the Vegas circuit given that he was only allotted one game in Salt Lake City due to the Health and Safety Protocols.

Josh Giddey, playing in his third game in as many days, posted ten points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out seven assists offensively. The highlight of the day was his massive jam at the rim that resulted in a technical foul for taunting as he posterized a 76er.

In the Thunder’s lone Salt Lake City loss tonight, Aleksej Pokusevski was incredible for the first time all summer pouring in 14 points on 55-percent shooting, and 2-for-3 from three-point land. Pokusevski also grabbed five rebounds and dished out two assists offensively. Defensively, Poku put pressure on would-be interior scorers altering shots and netting two blocks in the process.

Jalen Williams struggled for the first time, though you could understand that this team was reasonably gassed after the workload they have been under this week.

Saturday, the Oklahoma City Thunder will take on Jabari Smith Jr in the Vegas Summer League, the session that every NBA team attends and will award a champion at the end. Things are about to get real, folks.