New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder LIVE ON ESPN 4K NBA2K26 Summer League NBA LIVE
Hey, hey, hey. Hey baby. Heat up here. Heat. Heat. Vegas. Here are the standings. The Oklahoma City Thunder are unbeaten. They are one of eight. But because of point differential, it’s going to matter if they get a win this afternoon. They’re going to want to pile on the po points so they can get into the top four to qualify for the semifinals. And we welcome you courtside here at the pavilion. Pete Ranic, the Hall of Famer, Isaiah Thomas. Lauren Jabar will join us in a moment. Isaiah, we saw Oklahoma City yesterday, and we saw two big reasons why they add to their embarrassment of riches with AJ Mitchell and Brandon Carlson. I mean, Carlson, uh, you know, we were very impressed with him yesterday. And the and the winners know how to win. OKC knows how to win. they they’re NBA champions and everyone who’s now on the floor, they try to follow what has been done in the regular season. So, every player that comes out now, there’s a certain attitude that he plays with. There’s a certain character that he brings to the table. And, you know, Prey has done a great job building this team. And this Carlson kid, I I I really like the way he played yesterday. 23 from him, four of six three-point shooting. Meanwhile, for New Orleans, they’ve got a couple of highlevel rookies in Jeremiah Friers and Derek Queen. You know, I I love Jeremiah Fears. I mean, you know, Chicago kid, you know, so we know we know the Chicago point guards are really good and we we know what they bring to the table. there’s a certain amount of competitiveness and and you know and and Queen you know from Maryland you know had a had a great great great season there and you know I don’t know if he’s playing tonight but if he’s playing tonight it’d be interesting to see him and Carlson go at it and also Micah Peavey part of that class Pelicans lost their game yesterday to Portland last night 9387 let’s check in with the third member of our group Lauren Jabar thanks so much guys adding on to Jeremiah Fierce he may be the youngest guy on New Orleans Pelicans team, but he also is one of the most fearless guys. He plays with extremely high amount of tenacity and grit. I got to chat with him pregame. I said, “What’s this summer league experience been like for you?” He says, “It’s been incredible. I’ve been able to grow and learn a lot about myself.” I said, “Almost every single one of your teammates has been here to support you. What does that mean to have some of these vets watching you guys?” And he said, “It’s honestly incredible because I feel like they want to see us succeed and then they also are supporting. It’s it’s building team chemistry at that point.” I said, “What are the Pelicans getting in a guy like you, Zeke?” He said, “A dog.” They’re getting an absolute dog that wants to win. You love to hear it. I love the fact that he chose the number zero cuz no fears. I’m I’m just saying Chicago point guards. They come to play. They come to compete. They don’t back down. They take names and they kick and ree will start in the back court for the Pelicans. Get a good long look I think this afternoon and Chris Young blood for Oklahoma City. Don’t know if Carlson will play this afternoon. And of course, he returned to action after a long absence. Thunder in white and the dark blue for the Pelicans. And off the jump, what’s the decision? All right, New Orleans ball. New Orleans 0 and3 here in summer league, losing to Minnesota 9891. Lost to the Lakers by 13, 9481. and lost to Portland 93- 287 yesterday. Ball denial by Ward and they they try to put it in the post and and we we see a lot of teams that don’t use their post player and consequently the post entry pass has been lost in the game today. Turn around jumper missed by Lester Kenyon. I mean Stockton and Malone feeding the post. I mean Stockton was an excellent post feeder and some of his skills need to be taught in the game today from a post playing stand. Courtman misses the three. Reeves on the advance for the Pelicans. Pelicans 21 and 61 a year ago. Reeves had 18 points last night in the loss to Portland. Derek Queen a double double again. 17 and 10. Top side Fierce for three. Jeremiah Fears just two for 12 from three coming into today’s game and drops in the three ball. He may be two for 12, but I I tell you he he’s a very special gifted offensive player. Young Bloodood can’t respond with the three. Dickinson with a rebound for the Pelicans. Nice baseline move. Reeves denied out of bounds. It will stay with the Pelicans. Fears averaging 14 points per game here in Vegas. Comfortable rhythm. Fears will try again. Not make this time. Rebound to Brooks Barnheiser. Barnheiser has been a defensive specialist with high steel games. Here’s a young bloodood three. Raining and rebound to Fears. Dickinson calling for it. Leon with the takeaway. Defense, the ability to force turnovers, a calling card for the Thunder last year. Young Bloodood for two. And Young Bloodood said, “Okay, I I’ve missed a couple of them, so I’m just going to take me a basket here.” Dickinson trying to feed inside and Reeves was being held by Young Boy. The Thunder last year outstanding in so many regards. Their turnover margin was just insane how few they committed, how many they forced. They led the league in that category. They forced 17 a game and committed fewer than 12 a game. Well, they are they are committed to defending and you know from the way they draft to the way they teach to the way they play. So, it’s not surprising that the way they are playing today, coming out with the type of intensity, working, moving, you know, they they just know what they want to do and how to do it. Nice move by Gordon. That is a skill that I don’t want to say that it’s getting lost in the NBA, but that’s a skill that you love to have. You like to have skill like that from peers, the ability to create your own shot. Gorman I thought did that on that last possession. Yeah. And but you know the defenders now on the perimeter they really have improved. So you have to work hard on the perimeter to get in to get two feet in the lane as we see here because the defense is so good. Gorman did a good job getting into the lane. Shot clock was was about to expire. Going to be a turnover either way. Reeves thought about the three. Dickinson trailing the play. Good defense by Barnheiser prevented the drive. Shot clock down to four. Dickinson a foul line jumper off and boarded by Ward. Barnheiser. Leon attacks. Oh, the block but air in the whistle and a foul and Leons will go to the free throw line. 559 remaining here in the first quarter. Pelgans out to an early 74 lead. Jeremiah fears. Oh, he got game. He got game. And he got a hoop. Nice. At AT&T, we confidently guarantee our network. at the free throw line for the Oklahoma City Thunder. undrafted in his second year. Appeared in six games with the Thunder a year ago and part of a very successful Oklahoma City Blue G-League franchise. And we talked about this yesterday, Isaiah. I I think that Oklahoma City has done as good a job as any of leveraging their GLeague team to continue to build their talent level. And they even got their current head coach from the G-League because Mark Dnalt was the coach of the Oklahoma City Blue. And in in fact, Alex Caruso used to play for the OKC blue as well. Leons for three. Their their talent evaluation has been superb. They’re development players and and again they they know exactly what they want organizationally, the type of player they want defense first, the type of character they want to bring inside the building. And you know, you have to give Sam Prey a lot of credit for sticking to his beliefs, understanding exactly what he wanted, and then took the time to build it. That corner three is off by Reeds. Reynolds and Zack Austin into the game for the Thunder. Ward and Gortman are out. Those are the first substitutions for either side. Reynolds casts a three. Front rim, back riming, and in. Reynolds for three. fears a little out of control. Turns it over. Reynolds thought about the three. The two won’t go and Dickinson reels in the rebound. If there has been an issue for the Pelicans here in Vegas, it’s been turnovers. Well, when you when you have a a a young team, particularly a young point guard like Fierce, and you’re trying to develop them, you know, these are the things that will occur in the summer league. The unfamiliarity of playing with players, you will have a lot of turnovers. Themes missing the jumper. Rebound picked up by Reeds. Konz, former Golden State Warriors out of bounds. It stays with the Pelicans. Fears gets his first break of the game. Christian Shoemate checking into the game along with Will Baker for the Pelicans and Chase Hunter. The number 50 Faker to the Thunder number 15. Actually, Fierce remains 21. And right now, my favorite player in summer league is in the games. Carson for OKC. He didn’t start. I was wondering if he would play. Shoemate casts a three off the iron. Offensive rebound for the Pelicans. Pierers who drives into traffic and draws a foul. We talked about Brandon Carlson yesterday. Fantastic game. 23 points, seven boards against Orlando. And you sang Sam Prey’s praises for finding this guy who was undrafted in 2024. I I mean, Prey has just been, you know, unbelievably good. And I and I compared him, you know, the other night to to Jerry Krauss, the the great general manager for the Chicago Bulls that won six championships and putting together a team. Krauss uh found a way to just always find talent to fit the team and names that you never would think of, he would bring them in and find a way to make them successful. And that’s what Sam Prey has done now. Carlson for three. Fears the rebound. He does really and truly Isaiah play with no fear. And a tough drive in the lane. Trey Alexander gets a trip to the free throw line. Did not play last night in the loss to Portland. He was with the Nuggets last year on a two-way contract and averaged almost 26 a game for the Grand Rapids Gold. the G-League affiliate of the Denver Nuggets. Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City calls a timeout here. 306 remaining in the first quarter. Pelicans lead it by three. Beers with seven. You know, life would be easier if I could do everything from Rose, Tim Hardaway, Maurice Cheeks, self, Ronnie Lester. I mean, there’s a there’s a boatload of Chicago point guards that you have to live up to and and fears coming out of Chicago understands. He understands the assignment. Yep. Brewer misses the three for more. Here’s Lauren Jabaro. Yeah, guys, I talked to Cory Brewer before the game, their summer league coach, and he told me, I said, “What are the intangibles that Jeremiah Fierce has?” He’s obviously he’s working on his size a little bit, getting a little bit stronger, the turnovers especially, but I said those intangibles, what are they? He said he does a little bit of everything. He loves his defending. He especially loves his passing, and he’s such a versatile player. And I feel like if he adds that patience and polish to his fire, he could be something really special down the line. Yeah. Cory Brewer himself, he knows the big moment. NCAA title in 2007 and 13-year playing career in the NBA. Will Baker at the free throw line played for the Pistons in summer league a year ago. And then with the Iowa Wolves in the G- League, eight straight by New Orleans. Thunder missing six straight shots and now a turnover transition opportunity. A look ahead to shoot for the dunk. Pelicans out to a nine-point lead here. 17-8. Young Bloodood closely guarded by AJ Hogard. Carlson. Shot clock down to two. Got to go baseline. Did not get it away in time. Shot clock violation. Thunder. Second turnover for the Thunder. Shoemate off the turnover running the floor. Run wide. Good delivery. That by Carlson for two. It’s good thing he dunkked that one because he tried to lay it up. There would have been a block. Hogard went up, lost control of the basketball. Brewer Euro step off glass and in. Brewer. Ty Brewer. That ends a 100 New Orleans run. Brewer, an undrafted rookie out of UAB. Alexander will try for three. And the rebound. Le Carlson screens. Pick and pop. Carlson down the lane into traffic. maintains the pivot foot, had it knocked away. Good defensive play by Chase Hunter. This is Trey Alexander with it. Approaching one minute remaining in the first quarter. Shot clock at four. A prayer, no answer. Shoemade offensive rebound. Shoemate lines up a three. Carlson claims the rebound. Both teams with a foul to give here. Under two minutes remaining. Shot clock at nine. Gortman screen by Carlson. Gortman skip past, deflected. Leon got it to Carlson. Voli balled around, picked off. Pelicans Alexander. Yes. And the foul. I tell you what, the Pelicans are really playing like solid defense, pushing it up the court, transition baskets, taking it to the hole. I mean, no let up. I’mma put my shoulder in your chest, back you up, and get the end one. Young Bloodood with a foul. Alexander to the free throw line. That’s how Cory Brewer liked to play. I mean, he would long, athletic. Mhm. He was a menacing perimeter defense. 13 to2 run New Orleans to build a 10-point lead and very wiry strong. Shot clock off. Pass bobbled. Three misfired by Brewer. Offensive rebound follow. No foul. Will Baker with the foul. First team finished his collegiate career at LSU. Did Baker and Carlson will go to the free throw line. a Utah native and the Thunder participated in the Salt Lake City Summer League. Carlson makes both. Tell you what, if he if he put on another 10 lbs. Okay, he’s got something. Gave it a good go. Well, the New Orleans Pelican Heat. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. on fire. What did you like about your team’s chemistry here at this first quarter? Um, we came out and played hard. Um, at the end of the day, it come down to compete and I think we’ve done a great job right now. So, just trying to keep it going. And I know you’re 18 years old. You’re getting your first real taste of NBA action. What have you learned about yourself here through the summer league experience so far? Um, just continue to be resilient, bounce back no matter what. Good games, is going to be good games, going to be bad games. They’ll continue to bounce back every single game. Jeremiah zero fierce. Keep it up. Thank you. Okay. Seven early points by him. Thank you, Lauren. And Feheiser draws a foul as he goes to the rack. Well, Mike Miller, former NBA sharpshooter, six man of the year. Uh he is Fear’s agent. This is I predict he’ll be an all-star in three years. Oh, I I I I don’t think he’s wrong. And And when you pair him with Zion, if Zion gets back healthy and Zion gets back to where he’s at, you got fears and you got Zion. Hey, you got you got a one-two punch in the NBA that’s going to be extremely difficult to guard as the years progress. And of course, Zan Williamson had his contract locked in. That has been one of the things that such an incredibly talented player, but the best ability is availability and it’s not been there. And the Pelicans, like some other teams that we talked about at Orlando earlier this afternoon and evening, injuries, if you don’t stay healthy, it’s a really, really tough way to go. Shot clock violation. Zia missed 52 games. Dejante Murray missed 51. CJ McCollum missed 26. Brandon Ingram played in only 18 games before he was traded to Toronto at the deadline. Yeah, when you name those names, you think about the talent that you just just ran off. And, you know, the Pelicans are healthy and they’re playing good basketball. You know, they they got a good coaching staff. Uh, you know, I I just like I like the talent that they have and I like the youth that they have. And all they need to do is get healthy. If they get healthy and a little luck, you know, they they’re going to they’re going to be a hard hard team to beat in the West. Owns a contested three at the end of the shot clock. Drew the foul. So, we’re talking about the best ability is availability. And really, except for two years, Pelicans have seen him more in street clothes than they have seen him in a uniform. Yeah. And the and the intriguing thing about him is that when you when you put up that that graphic and you say, “Okay, in those games that he played over 30, 35 minutes, how many games did they win?” And that that’s the thing that keeps you intrigued about about Zion and and wanting to to see if if he can stay healthy, if he can get on track because, you know, when he plays, they they’re they’re a tough team to beat. And I think one thing that is maybe undersold about him is his ability to share and distribute the basketball. Well, you know, a lot of times he’s probably been played out of position because in high school, you know, he was a point guard. He he handled the basketball and he coming to college, you know, he’s playing off the ball and in the NBA he played off the ball. But, you know, for the most part when the ball is in his hands, he’s he’s tough just like Fears is. Oh, don’t give him that. Don’t give him that. What a handle by can’t finish. Gortman and Leon can’t handle the pass. That little sequence by Fears, that was pretty didn’t result in a bucket, but it gives you just an appetizer for for what he can be. Yes. And and and the thing that I like about what we just saw, he was doing it to get position. He wasn’t doing it to get fancy or to show off. He was trying to get his defender out of position. And that’s the beautiful thing that you like about his handle. Corner three comes up short by Brooks and Bortman going strong to the rim and will earn a trip to the free throw line. Lester Kenonis with the foul. Konis went up vertical but then the arms came down and that’s the reason for air in the whistle. And Gortman goes to the free throw line. And that’s what the official pays attention to, you know, do do the arms come down? If you if you are straight up vertical and the arms don’t come down, then that’s a good defensive play. As soon as you bring those arms down, that’s when the whistle blows. Gortman had a 17 point game in a win over Indiana. Thunder have defeated the Nets 90 to 81. Indiana 10485 and then they beat Orlando yesterday 9275. They’re averaging 97 points a game which is pretty impressive in a 40-minute game. Very impressive. And you know, you talk about their tempo, their pace, their sharing the basketball. It’s it’s excellent. Pelicans with six turnovers now. Thunder need to stay unbeaten and a 5-second count to Jenna Renault. So the Thunder turn it over. Pelicans trying to get their offensive mojo back. They hit their first three. They have gone over their last eight. Here’s pressure along the sideline and a foul. Zack Austin. But when you’re playing against OKC, you you expect OKC is going to turn up the defense. You know, whether it be in the summer league or whether it be in a regular season, you know, they’re rooted on the defensive side of the ball and they understand how to get stops. Freeze into the lane, threw up a wild shot. Ward with a miss. the Thunder and now a steal by Austin. Barnheiser deals a miss and then a follow. Barnheiser trailing the play with the follow to pull the Thunder within two timeout New Orleans. Barnheiser hitting the hardwood but got the deuce. Progressive makes it easy to get a quick commercial auto quote online so you can get back to all your other Heat. Heat. Well, thank you. Thanks for taking the time. I have to ask, I mean, it’s was a crazy rookie season for you between having such a great start, then getting hurt, but it finished out nice and sweet. What was that like winning a championship? It was a crazy feeling. I mean, it was a dream for me. I started as a little kid, so really excited and blessed to be part of this. Take me through your rookie season. I mean, what was that like for you? What did you learn about yourself, especially playing with so many incredible players, and it really feels like it’s such a team organization. Oh, yeah. I mean, they they really helped me from day one, you know, just to get comfortable, get used to everything, and it was a smooth transition from college to the NBA. And it was a great great rookie season for me. Learned a lot about myself. went through an injury, my first like major injury, and it was it was great to just learn by myself. Uh, learning how to be patient, but also like push through and then just be ready to to be in the playoffs. Yeah. How much did you lean on on some of the veteran guys because I feel like guys like SGA, Lou Dorte, I mean, they’ve been there since the entire rebuilding process. How much do they kind of help this team gel together? Uh, I mean, they help us a lot. I think just leading by example, uh, the way they act, they behave. I think they’re a great example for our team and we just we just want to keep competing with them. What was that championship parade like? Uh it was amazing. It was like a dream. I like I couldn’t believe it was real. I think the best part was just being able to like do this with our fans. I think for them it was like a really huge moment and they deserve like they deserve it. So it was it was fun. And you know Thunder fans are are die hard. They absolutely love you guys. So that had to be incredible. Now you’re heading into your sophomore season. What are one or two things that you’re you’re really working on with your game and then off the court as well? Uh, I think a little bit of everything. Just being a better like complete NBA player. Keep working on every part of my game and then just keep working and getting better. I know the season went long, but obviously for good reason. Do you get any time to relax? Are you doing anything fun this summer? Uh, yeah. I mean, I’m going to go back home back to Belgium for a little bit and then go to Italy, get some rest. I’m excited about that. And what are you most looking forward to now your sophomore season? It’s hard to top what you guys just did last year, huh? Yeah, I mean try to try to get back right there and and keep working, getting better as a player and and keep doing what I can do to help this team win. AJ, appreciate the time. Have fun in your travels this summer. We’ll see you next season. Thank you. Appreciate you guys. Back to you, Newton Steel. Thank you, Lauren. 20 points per game here in Vegas for AJ Mitchell. 27 in the victory yesterday over Orlando. Fierce drives off glass and in. That ends a 100 Thunder run. Pelicans lead it by two. Ward a spin away and a floater in the lane. Honeycombs into the bucket. Well, you heard Lauren talk about the Thunder fans and what tremendous dieards they are. And when you think about it, Isaiah, these two franchises, there is a connection. Dickinson, good look underneath, there is a connection because of course Katrina, New Orleans had to get out of the Big Easy. They were relocated to Oklahoma City, really ignited that city’s passion for NBA basketball, and then the Sonics relocate. So these these two cities and these two franchises do have a connection. They they do have a connection although it’s a you know a connection that you know was was rooted in in almost kind of tragedy. However, you know basketball was able to go to that community ignite it and that’s what we that’s what we always say you know the the NBA and basketball it brings people together brings communities together but it also ignites dreams and the imagination. Reynolds works along the sideline. He’s double team knocked out by Trey Alexander. Carlson back into the game and Gortman also returns. Now this Pelicans team, couple of key acquisitions. Jordan comes over from the Wizards and CJ McCullum goes to DC and they also signed Cavan Looney. Talk more about the Pelicans when we come back. They lead it by one. If you take or have taken Humeira for moderate to severe Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis and still have symptoms, you don’t have to settle. Ask your gastroenterenterologist if switching to Renvoke is right for you. It’s one of the latest treatments from the makers of Humira. Renvoke works differently than Humira and may help. 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Hey. because we don’t we we don’t for we forget how important screening is in our league and we we look at all the guys who can dribble and and shake and do all this stuff but you know if they don’t come off screens. None of it works. And you look at the pressure from Oklahoma City being applied defensively. Leon and Courtman forced a turnover. Thunder said, “We’re going to we’re going to extend our defense.” It’s now 10 turnovers for the Pelicans. The other thing that Looney does, he offensively rebounds at a pretty good rate, too. Yeah. all the little things and and those are the those are the things that help you win. You know, little things make the difference between success and failure and he does all the little things. Looney can help you win basketball games and he doesn’t need the ball. And you combine him with Eve Mei who had a wonderful rookie season. Alexander punch out rebound. Fierce three off and the rebound to Carlson. And that offensive tackle will help defend win a lot of football games. And he doesn’t need the football. No. No. But so many times, you know, in our our league, it becomes a possession game. And if you’re not shooting well, boy, you better get a good offensive rebounder. Well done Trey Alexander for Matray. Pelicans lead is three. They’ve led by as many as 10. And a three in response from Cameron Brown. Had six points yesterday against Orlando. Kones and now fears drives, kicks, and a three-point splash by Trey Alexander again. Fears creates so much offense and he puts so much pressure on the defense. Third assist for him. Gortman turns down the screen, spins foul line, sends it, can’t score it. Rebound Shoemate. Trey Alexander’s hit a couple of trays. Gives way to Dickinson. Alexander for three. Ball to an open space on the floor. Courtman Kenz a little check forces the turnover. Alexander lines up a three around and out. Tap rebound. Alexander gets it. Unable to get it to go from three. Two minutes remaining. Reevesaker. Will Baker. Antonio Reeves back in for the Pelicans. Pelicans retain possession. Fresh 14 for them. Hunter for the Philippines. Fears talking with Cory Brewer over on the sideline. Fears a 9point, four rebound, three assist effort. Tons of energy and he does it so easily. Shot clock down to four. Baker needs an outlet. Leaves got it away and hit. Antonio Reeves to beat the shot clock. And then a foul by Hunter as the Pelicans did have one to give. Thunder have one to give. First team foul under two minutes against the shot clock. Did he get it away in time? Uh, he did not. Thunderb knew it. And Jenna Renault has just told everybody take the three off the board violation. No. So we got the blue strip across the storage table for a scoring change. Oh, okay. Green for a challenge, blue for a scoring change. We got to we got to get used to the color coordination. Carlson jumper. Good. Big fella kind of nice now. Summer League action continues on NBA TV, ESPN and the ESPN app. NBA TV tomorrow, Pistons and Heat at 4, ESPN 2 tomorrow. Pacers and Knicks at 4:30, ESPN tomorrow for Spurs and Hornets at 7. And then the night cap, Celtics and Lakers. Timeout taken by the Pelicans here with a one-point lead. Thunder had been rolling through summer league, but the New Orleans Pelicans making a stand here in Vegas. Skipping breakfast wasn’t a big deal. for Shoemate. Baker’s entry pass deflected. Shoemate came up with it. There’s another steal. Another takeaway for the Thunder. Carlson Euros floats. No. Rebound tapped around. Captured by Shoemate. Alexander. Twoon one. Rob Reeves lays it in. What was so impressive about the Thunder last year, I thought, Isaiah, was their not only their commitment to defense, but their discipline. Mhm. Yes. Their their discipline, their belief in, you know, when when you look at the lob here and the finish and the timing in that pass, that was beautiful. New Orleans leading by three. Shot clock down to four. Barnheiser got fouled as he moved toward the rim. Brooks Barnheiser out of Northwestern will go to the free throw line. Average 17 points per game in Evston. I’d said earlier that he’d been a defensive menace. He had eight steals in both of the first two games or I should say he had seven and then six. The summer league record for steals in a game is eight. And may I ask who who holds that record? That I that I do not have in my information. Okay. Well, eight is a lot, especially in a 40-minute game. Yeah, back in the three off six the difference shot clock to game clock. Pelicans do not have a foul to give. Thunderdo Gortman spins, hangs, double clutches. No rebound filters out to Fears. New Orleans can hold for the final shot of the half. Again, the Thunder do have a foul to give. Fears had it knocked away. Barnheiser got a finger on it. Barnheiser half court get it and go and off the heel from Barnheiser. And the New Orleans Pelicans, they have led by as many as 10, but the margin is two here at halftime. Jeremiah Fears a 9point, five rebound first half. Fearless great on the pace round to fade away. Oh wow. For the win. It’s just fun to be out here, be with the guys, enjoy Vegas and and get to know these guys and and just have fun hooping. Oh my goodness. Yo, he cut there. Here we go. I love it. I love it. So much excitement here in Las Vegas. And we have excitement coming right around the break. Two-point game. We’ll be back for the second half after this. alone. When you’re with MX Platinum, you can go the distance for what you love. And with travel perks, I’m a Heat. Heat. He He can knock down the three. And the thing that I like about him, he can get anywhere out on the floor that he needs to get to. not a lot of wasted dribble. He keeps it tight in the box. So therefore, he can make the pass when he needs to make the pass. And you know, when you watch him handle the basketball, again, there there’s not a whole lot of wasted dribble. He dribbles and he makes the necessary dribbles that he needs to to get in and out of situations. Shot blocked. Ward went up for the jumper and found it rejected. Dickinson with the block. Out of bounds to the Pelicans. Neither team shooting particularly well. Thunder just down to 28%. And both teams not shooting well from three. Rebound through themes. Barnheiser corner three. And as soon as I say teams not shooting well for three. Chris Young Bloodood drills a three and the Thunder have the lead from 10 down. 3534. You know, as we said last night, when you got the name Young Blood, you got to live up to the name. And he definitely has lived up to his name. Young Bloodood shooting 56% here in summer league. 50% from three. That was his first three-point make today. Trey Alexander the only player on either side of double figures. 11 off the bench, including three threes. That was deflected. So, it’s a loose ball situation out over him back, but a very short shot clock. Deers retrieves, brings it to front court with five on the clock. Desperation three hits nothing. Hunter Dickinson forced into what is known in the NBA circles as a hand grenade. Had to shoot it against the shot clock. And OKC comes out with a different type of intensity and tenacity on the defensive side. And this is where they make their mark and they just wear you down until they get good shots. With a turnaround, Dickinson with the rebound. Kenyonz off with the three. Dickinson taps the rebound out. Reeds and a foul. thought it was simply out of bounds, but Barheiser being called for a foul on the sideline. Corner three too strong by Brooks. A look ahead. Leon running the floor and the Thunder its largest lead of the game. 3734. First half pretty much controlled by the Pelicans. Reeves works against Gortman and Gortman will get called for the foul. Foul number 26 Gorton gets first. Team third. First foul on Gorton. Teams third and free throws coming here for Antonio Reeves. Reeves a 47th pick overall originally drafted by Orlando in 2024. Isaiah, you played with Joe Dumars, obviously won a couple of championships together. What is it about Joe that will make him successful as the general manager of this Pelicans franchise? Well, he’s won as a player. He’s won as an executive. He and Jerry West hold that honor and he knows how to build a team. He knows how to build culture and he’s a great communicator and I I just think that going home to Louisiana where he’s from you know I just think that you know it’s it’s the perfect end to the story for him to be able to finish off his career like that. Barnheiser back-to- back buckets and another steal for Barnheiser. And we talked about his ability to force turnovers. And you’re seeing Isaiah, to your point, as fears challenging the bigs inside. You’re seeing a Thunder team playing with a renewed sense of intensity. And I think that they looked at the first half and they said, “This is this is not up to Thunders. This is this is not how we play.” Yeah. not not how they play. And again, you get the steel, get out in transition. And in OKC, there there is a standard. There’s a standard for playing. There’s a standard for uh personhood, chemistry, how they’re going to act, how they’re going to be. And when you’re a champion, you can demand and set those standards. And they have. Barnheiser has it again. Warren, you have more on him. I do. Summer League. Coach Johnson called Burnheiser the tone setter of the team. He plays really hard every single possession. He said especially on defense and he takes a lot of pride on that end for for a summerlink team who’s just getting together for the first time. He said that helps their identity and who we want to be. And you just saw that with that steel a few minutes ago. Brooks with the three for New Orleans. Foul on Hutter Dickinson on the other end. You get a good look at Brooks Barnheiser, 44th overall pick by the Thunder. Had a 17point game and the victory over Indiana was plus 25 in 25 minutes. So you want to talk about a difference maker, Barnheiser certainly has been that for the Thunder. Courtman fade away jumper is pure. Thunder lead is two. Dickinson Kenyonz. Eight to shoot on the deck into the traffic. Dispossessed of the basketball. Fouron one. Young boy to the rack and then finished by Farheiser who has been everywhere. Well, Lauren reporting that uh he’s a tone setter in the words of summer league coach Connor Johnson and Farnheiser living up to that. You know, the the other thing that’s impressive is the OKC bench. I mean, when you look at their bench, all of their players are into it. They’re rooting each other on. you know, at the timeout. Look how they all come out to the floor, congratulate each other. I mean, you know, it’s it’s contagious that chemistry that they’ve built. The first day back from matern Heat. Heat. J Mitchell. I mean, you talk about a stack deck. Yeah. I mean, we are in Vegas after all, right? Absolutely. They, you know, they they got four aces and you only get four in a deck, but somehow they figured out a way to get five of them. How many decks are in that shoe? Yeah. I I mean, they they um you know, when you look at OKC, you know, mo, again, I said this the other day, most teams are talking about small ball and they play big ball. I mean, when you look at their size, uh, they start two sevenfooters and SGA is like a, you know, 65, 66 point guard. They’re not playing small ball in OKC. Cameron Brown with a make and then Trey Alexander his first bucket here of the second half. Meanwhile, Barnheiser with six of his nine here in the third quarter. Thunder a four-point lead after trailing by as many as 10. Carlson fade away that came up short. Kionz with a rebound. And the thing about this Thunder team and you know you can joke as Dickinson hits the hook, you can joke about an embarrassment of Riches. You can only keep so many guys. You can only keep so many. And this this is where the rest of the NBA is licking their chops and they get to take advantage of the good work that Prey has done because they get to eat off his leftovers. Carlson, nice finish in the paint. Oklahoma City Blue, their G-League affiliate. They’ve won a G-League championship with that squad. Great hands and a knock away by Brown. And then Barnheiser finishes with a flourish. Barnheiser in double figures with 11. Eight in the quarter. Under four remaining in the third. Thunder trying to create some separation on the scoreboard. Fears is fouled on the jump shot. Barnheiser frustrated with himself. 23 first of is trapped on the sideline. Quick steal and strong finish at the rim. Cameron Brown with a knock away. Thunder have forced 14 turnovers for 14 points. Fears the line for a pair. As we tell you, the Emirates NBA Cup returns to the Las Vegas December 13th and 16th. Get access first to experience all the action live with NBA experiences. Visit NBAvents.com to purchase tickets and experiences and the Emirates NBA Cup that has grown into a real special event for the NBA. It definitely has made the first half of the season so important and so meaningful to the players. Carlson lines up a three. It’s through. There were some, I think, who were a bit skeptical skeptical about an inseason competition, but you’re right. It it definitely gives a little bit more flavor and flare. And Fears will go to the free throw line. I believe that they did call a foul, not basket interference. So only two free throws coming here for fears. But what it does is there had been the feeling that the NBA season really didn’t begin with the fans until Christmas. Yes. So now you start you have a tent pole event earlier in the season and then you go from that to Christmas to the Allstar game and then the chase for the playoffs and then the institution of the playin tournament. Yeah. So you have more teams with an opportunity to compete for a playoff birth. So the NBA’s done a really good job of maintaining an interest level throughout the entire 82 game season. Excellent job. And and and the playin uh you know it it gives every team a chance to make it in those last two weeks which has become really exciting. And and if you remember the last 2 three weeks was used to be tanking season but now it’s playin season. Reynolds back in the game creating off the bounce finds Brown underneath Cameron Brown with a bucket. He started three games for the Oklahoma City Blue last year. Fear is just able to save it before going across the midourt line and shoe with two hands over the top. Young blood dropping in another three. Thunder have gone from 10 down to 10 up. fears, distributes. Alexander’s three is through. Trey Alexander, he has been great from three tonight. Three of six from the long line. 16 on the night. Young Bloodood screen by Carlson. Pick and roll. And New Orleans foul. Fouls on Dickinson. Thunder by seven and a timeout. Just under two remaining in the third. Oh, look. I’m bottomless. Just like bottomless abs for 99. Heat. Heat. He has 10 up. The lead is seven at the moment and Brooks Barnheiser four for four for eight points here in the third quarter. Eight of his 11 here in the period. Gortman feeds Young Bloodood. Waits out the traffic and banks it in. Patient play by Chris Young Bloodood to push the lead back to nine. 6152. AJ Hogard back into the lineup. Will Baker also in for New Orleans. Leon’s pressuring Hogard. Five to shoot. Hogard forced into a little step through. Got it away in time. Tap rebound. Hogard runs it down. Spins baseline. Yes. And the foul. AJ Hogard out of Vanderbilt. averaged nine and a half a year ago in Nashville. Nice move. I mean, the crossover, the spin, the lane off the glass in one against the great defender, but couldn’t do nothing with that. Leon with the foul. Hoger to the line, appearing in just his second game here in summer league. had two points last night in the loss to Portland. Gortman turns down the screen. Contact and free throws coming. Carlson was there to set the screen, but Gortman says, “I’m going to go the other way.” Foul on Shoemate. Shoe really good defender. Southland Conference defensive player of the year not once but twice at MCN State. Started his collegiate career at Tulsa. Portman drops in the first. Thunder now 12 of 18 from the free throw line. Thunder were shooting 28% at halftime. They are up to 45%. And and again, a lot of that has come off of their defense. the transition baskets, the steals, getting out in the open court, getting good shots, getting good early good looks definitely improves your field goal percentage. Hunter at the line. Thunder foul putting Hunter at the line. You saw Connor Johnson there on the Thunder sideline. He’s been an assistant in Oklahoma City since 2021. was a grad assistant at Villanova, then joined the 76ers as a video coordinator. His tenure at Philadelphia between 2014 and 2018. And right now, the the path to being the head coach in the NBA is through the video room. Still the video room. Um, I I still like to say that uh, you know, the guys who have worked hard, stayed in the NBA for years, they definitely have a knowhow and an understanding of how the league works. Portman with a bucket, definitely paid their dues. I think one of the first guys to do that was Eric Spolstra, who he’s going to be in the Hall of Fame. There’s no doubt in my mind. He goes back to the days when you had a lot of satellite dishes and a lot of VHS machines in the back room somewhere. But when we talk about Foster, right, you know, is it’s not just the video room. It’s it’s, you know, when he started in Portland, there were great great coaches there that he had a chance to learn from, be around every single day. and and in that Portland organization and then going with Riley. I mean, so when we talk about Swollster being a guy coming out of the video room, it’s not necessarily it’s true, but the education and the toutelage that he was getting from the people he was around, that’s what made him extra special and from a learner to a master of the game because he got taught well by the people that he was around, right? And if some people are like Portland, wait a second. Well, his dad, John Spolstra, was an executive with the Trailblazers. Gortman rebound. Shoemate half court heave. Well, off the mark. Brooks with a You pride yourself in your ability to change a game like you did here in the third quarter? Yeah, it’s kind of, you know, got to be my calling card. You know, I feel like um you know, that’s where my identity lays and that’s just trying to help the team whether it be getting steals, you know, making the right reads or, you know, just playing hard is you know, heck. So, that’s just all I’m trying to do. And, you know, we I think we won that quarter by like 11. So, now we got to finish in the fourth. You did. How do you finish out in the fourth now? Uh just keeping the same principles, just playing being the hardest playing team, most communicative, and just most physical. If we can do that, we should win this ball game. Brooks, appreciate it. Good luck. Thank you. Brooks draws a foul for the Pelicans. How about this? The Thunder. We talked about the Thunder probably were back in the locker room saying we’re not playing Thunder basketball. 32 points in the first half, 34 points in the third quarter. They get eight from Barnheiser, nine from Young Bloodood, six from Gortman. And and again, the defensive pressure, the defensive stops led to all of that. And when we look at their bench, you know, the excitement and the enthusiasm that their bench has shown during these runs has been impressive also. And if you are an aspirant of being a Thunder player, it’s not only that you want to be in the NBA, you want to be part of a championship winning franchise. Hortman’s fadeaway not there. Lebound. Young Bloodood, a leaning three is off. Hunter missing the runner. Leon with a rebound. Boy, look at Leon run the floor. Extra pass. Young Bloodood. A three. It’s through. Young blood. Young Bloodood out of Alabama. like I’m Brandon Carlson undrafted. It’s another another Sam Prey special. Unbelievable. Right. Like I say, the the rest of the league uh gets to sit back and and eat off his leftovers because, you know, his their talent evaluation in OKC, you know, is something to marvel at. Trey Alexander’s fourth three of the game. Thunder lead is seven. Barnheiser led Northwestern in steals a year ago. 2.3 a game on the deck. Five to shoot. Spins off balance. Had nowhere to go. Now slow to get up on the other end. Reverse layup missed by Hunter. And there’s Barnheiser opportunistic. You know, when we talk about, you know, OKC’s talent evaluation, the one thing that I can say, you know, whenever I was scouting, whenever I was on the road, Sam Prey was always there. And a lot of a lot of scouts that I know around the league, whenever they wherever they go, they always say Sam Prey was there. Mhm. So, his talent evaluation is just not luck. He packs up his suitcase, he gets out on the road, and he’s there watching and evaluating and making sure that they get the right person, and he’s had his eyeballs on everyone. Well, take us inside the mind of a talent evaluator. You’ve coached in the NBA. You’ve been in the front office. You’ve looked at players. You’ve had to evaluate players. What what goes into evaluating a player when you’re looking at somebody maybe overseas or in college? Well, the first thing it that you’re looking for, okay, is does he have the skill level to play in the NBA and what are his identifiable skills? Now, they all have skill, but then you have to apply it to the style of play that you your team plays. and and a lot of these guys when we talking about they undrafted but they may fit OKC style of play. So there’s only 30 teams and what Prey does exceptionally well and what I was able to do and I would say Jerry West and I we we were always able to look at the team that we were working for, understand the style of play and then find the player to fit that unique different style of play. And again I I you know I’m I’m say his name again. Jerry Krauss was a master at it because hey Jerry Krauss when he implemented the triangle he he went so totally against the grain of the league. He brought in text winners, Bill Jackson, guys who hadn’t, you know, really coached in the league. And then he brought in a college system and he implemented the triangle. And he then he went and got players to fit the triangle, which was, you know, just masterful work. And I think that’s what Prey is doing now. Barnheiser again. Bruce Barnheiser. But one of the philosophies that has stayed with me throughout my years in the NBA, the late great Steve Snapper Jones would say, “What is your identity?” Yes. And you have to have an organizational identity, a style of play and say, “This is who we are.” And there might be some who put together a team with a lot of flashy stats, but do you have guys that can fit your system and execute your system? And and that’s the difference between the geniuses of the game that we and I like to say I I played for in my era. There were they were just flatout geniuses organizationally and what they were able to do. This this was not a copycat league until people started copying each other. Barnheiser. Wow. And look at the Oklahoma City bench. I mean, every team played differently. No one really copied each other. Now it’s a copycat league. He wanted that in the worst way. Oh, tough fall. That was an ugly fall that he took right into the cameraman and he remains down. Now look at the bench. Look at the whole Look at OKC’s entire bench. Every single person. That bench is empty. There’s not one player sitting on that bench. Everyone is over there looking at that flare. That that chemistry is beautiful. Berb in this balance doesn’t just happen with subtle notes of bright cherry and warm vanilla. There’s a method to our smoothness. team. And everybody’s going to go over and say, “Hey, you okay?” And Barnheiser is indeed 14 of his 17 here in the second half. You talk about somebody leaving it all out on the floor, that’s inspiring. I I mean, when you when you have a player like that leaving it out on the floor and then your teammates come cheer for you, reward you, and and keep keep inspiring you. Look at them. They they all picking up full court. They’re still pressing. This is a team that is saying, “Hey, it’s not enough.” And look at that second. Look at that. Look at Look at that. Look at that bench. They’re They’re so happy to have defensive success more so than they are offensive success. Yeah. They’re They’re not cheering for a slam dunk. They’re cheering for an violation. Yes. That’s the difference. And you want to ask what what does OKC do differently? That is the difference. Everybody’s up on the slam dunk. They’re up on the defensive stop. Reynolds. Carlson with a dribble handoff. Leon. Shot clock down to four. Brown foul line jumper. No rebound to an open area. Leon’s kept it alive. Thought about the three. He’ll drive. He’ll scoop. He’ll score. Malifi Leon. A 14-3 run and the Thunder have broken it open. Five minutes remaining. Jeremiah Pierers scores on the other end. Thunder were down 10 early. Trailed at halftime, but a massive third quarter. Leon no follow. No fears. No fear. Has his shot blocked but will go to the free throw line. Zack Austin was there to block it. There was contact before that. Eric Reynolds with the foul from Oklahoma City and Fears to the free throw line. Jeremiah Fears to the line shooting two shots. Beers with 17. Give him 18. As we tell you, summer league action continues on NBA TV, ESPN, and the ESPN app. On NBA TV tomorrow, Pistons and Heat at 4 Eastern. At 4:30 Eastern on ESPN 2, Pacers and Knicks. Then on ESPN tomorrow, Spurs and Hornets at 7, Celtics, Lakers 9:00 Eastern on ESPN tomorrow. Preliminary games wrapping up. This is the final preliminary game for these two teams. And the Thunder, remember we showed you the graphic earlier. They at last check were fifth in summer league as Reynolds drops in the three. They are unbeaten and look to remain so. But point differential is probably what will separate the four that become semifinalists and those that are playing the consolation game. And make no mistake about it, they understand that point differential and they’re trying to form right now. Zack Austin with the follow. 30-point turnaround from 10 down to 20 up. The Thunder. Wow. Kenyonz Oklahoma City and the Thunder take time here. 336 remaining. 18 point lead. New Orleans good early. Thunder better late. Americans, we can do anything we want except one thing. We just can’t stop being American. So get out there, take your swing, rev your engines, and let freedom ring. And never ever ever stop being American. Nothing stops America and nothing stops Ram. Right now with employee pricing plus purchase and get an average of 10,900 below MSRP on 2025 Ram 1500 Laramie crew cab 4×4 models. Hurry in. Offer ends July 31st. Oh look, I’m bottomless. Just like bottomless apps for $9.99 at Buffalo Wild Wings. That’s right. Heat up here. Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. off because at the end of the day, and you know this as well as anybody, the only thing you can control is how hard you play. That’s it. Because if you bring effort and intensity, you got a chance to play for every coach that’s coaching basketball. But if you don’t bring effort and intensity, you’re probably going to end up finding yourself on the bench or not playing. Approaching three minutes remaining. Dickinson shoe stepped out of bounds. How about this about the Thunder? We talked about them forcing turnovers. You know how many turnovers the Thunder have here in the second half? How many? Zero. Oh, well that that says it all. That that says it all. That’s a shut out in a good kind of way. Yes. Now hopefully you didn’t jinx him. That’s not got let’s not get started right now. Well, right now the Thunder this standings update. If the Thunder win, which seems to be a pretty good bet at this point, then all the semifinalists will be undefeated. No team with a loss could be a semi- finalist. And then among the undefeateds remaining, it’s going to be all about point differential by Brewer into the game. That won’t fall. Shoemade on the pickup. Maui Sissoko into the game. Cesar Edwards into the game. Okay, there’s your Thunder turnover for the half. Shoe rebounds his own miss. Dickinson grabbed the rebound underneath. Shoemate was skying in as well. And free throws coming for the Pelicans here with 206 remaining. Sissoko Sissoko with his first foul. So Barnheis are done for the night with 19. Young Bloodood with 14. Workman and Brandon Carlson with 10 a piece. Thunder were shooting 28% at halftime up to 46%. Here for the game. They certainly found another gear here and that’s got the turnover. That’s two. All I can do is report the numbers. Alexander, his three-point shot has been on point tonight. Alexander, his fifth triple of the night, 23 points for Alexander who had to date here in Vegas, scored a grand total of five points. Walton Walton Walton out of Texas Tech. Fears getting physical and getting the leaner. Very nice. Nice down the lane. But you you look at OKC, it’s a minute 20 left and they’re still playing with great intensity and effort. Kenyonz misses. Fact of the matter is though, if you don’t play hard with this group, you’re not going to be with this group. You’re not going to be with this group. And the the standard has been set. And you know, the the standard is the standard. And uh at OKC there there’s a certain standard that has been set. Kudos to them for being able to do that. Well, the other piece of that too, Isaia, is it’s proof of concept. If we do this, we lift a trophy. We lift a trophy. We get a ring. Yes. So everybody has to buy in now because we know how we we got the blueprint. Pelicans coming out to trap with fears and Pelicans are over the limit. So free throws coming. New Orleans hit with a delay of game as well. Ty Brewer to the free throw line. Brewer connects on the first. So even without AJ Mitchell, Nicola Topic Thunder got production up and down the roster tonight. Final minute of the final preliminary game for both teams. With a little bit of a physical message here for fears, his second personal sissoko with the foul. First Thunder foul under two minutes. Let’s go. The 20-point game. Can he add to it? Not this time. Dickensson a one-handed rebound and draws a foul as he went up and travel. Brewer his first foul. So Hunter Dickinson to the free throw line. former Kansas Jay-Hawk averaged 17 and a half a game and 10 rebounds in Lawrence. Oklahoma City there you see Topic and Leon Thunder have held up their end of the bargain. Now it remains to be seen what point differential is going to be the rest of the way. Still more preliminary games tomorrow. Good defense by Dickinson on the attempt by Edwards. Edwards will try a three in and out. Sissoko battling for the rebound and Sissoko picks up the foul. Free throws for the Pelicans. And there’s the man of the moment. Brooks Barnheiser. A 19 point nine rebound game. 16 of the 19 in the second half. And a bloody nose. Just to show you how hard he plays. In another sport, he’d be an all Madden team. Absolutely. It’s a good game for Alexander. Really, really put together a great game tonight. The three-point shot was most certainly there. He had been one for eight in Vegas. Seven of 13 from the floor, five of nine from three. Perfect from the line. 25 points for Trey Alexander. Shot clock is off. Thunder will go without a loss and the Pelicans will go without a win. Lester Kenyonz the foul and free throws for Reynolds here. We will uh we’ve got all the CPAs in the in the truck figuring out the point differential. So, as soon as we get a final total here, well, I’m I’m glad you’re not talking about you and I as the CPAs and a fight for the loose ball. You got to love competition. It’s great. And I think they’re going to call. Yeah, they did call a jump ball. No foul. Jump ball. Sissoko against Dickinson with 10.9 remaining. Quick tap. Beers will get a breakaway in a dunk. Thunder by 14. Reynolds. Fears knocked it away. Corner three fails to fall for Cesar Edwards. And there’s your final 95 to 81.
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