The OKC Thunder continued its Las Vegas Summer League run with a win over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday. Here are our takeaways.
Branden Carlson placed his hands on his hips as he gathered his breath. Even his headband couldn't soak up all of his sweat, which slowly ran down his face.
OKC had just completed the first quarter of its Las Vegas Summer League game against Orlando on Tuesday. It also marked the first quarter played this summer by Carlson, who'd been out due to a sprained ankle.
So when Carlson was asked by ESPN sideline reporter Autumn Johnson what it felt like to be back in action, he didn't hide the obvious.
"I'm tired," Carlson quickly replied with a laugh.
But Carlson still had plenty left in the tank.
OKC secured a 92-75 win, improving to 3-0 in Las Vegas, and Carlson shined. The 26-year-old center finished with 23 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in only 19 minutes.
Carlson showed off his range by going 4 for 6 from deep. He also battled on the boards and protected the rim well.
Carlson recently signed a new two-way contract with OKC. And while minutes will be hard to earn on the NBA champion Thunder, the big man showed what he brings to the table on Tuesday.
"I think I want to bring physicality to the game and just effort," Carlson said. "I want to be someone that people can look to."
Next up for OKC is a game against New Orleans (0-2) at 8:30 p.m. CT Wednesday (NBA TV). Here are four more takeaways from the win:
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Nikola Topić found success with larger pick-and-roll partner in Branden Carlson
Carlson rolled to the rim after he set a pick early in the first quarter.
His eyes were locked onto Nikola Topić, just in case a pass came his way. And while Topić's eyes were seemingly less focused, scanning the floor for options, they'd already spotted the best one.
Topić tossed a no-look lob to Carlson, who caught the ball in midair and punched it through the rim.
After starting 6-foot-9 forward Malevy Leons for its first two Las Vegas games, OKC added size at the center position. It gave the starting nod to Carlson in his debut.
One of the biggest beneficiaries was Topić. He found immediate success in the two-man game with Carlson, a 7-footer who can roll to the rim and knock down 3-pointers.
Topić finished with six assists, two of which went to Carlson. He also recorded eight points, two steals and five turnovers in 30 minutes.
Ajay Mitchell was locked in
Even a wild pass couldn't throw Ajay Mitchell off his game.
OKC held a 56-47 lead midway through the third quarter when Jazian Gortman swung the ball to Mitchell. It was a high toss, even for the 6-5 guard.
But Mitchell calmly corralled the ball and used a burst of speed to get into the lane. He then decelerated, losing his defender in the process, and finished the layup.
That bucket came during a 15-point quarter for Mitchell, but he was locked in for all four of them. He finished with a game-high 27 points to go along with seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block in 28 minutes.
It's the latest in a series of stellar showings by Mitchell this summer. The sophomore looks ready to contribute next season as a rotational player for the Thunder.
The battle for OKC's final two-way spot continues
As OKC's Summer League run unfolds, one storyline is the battle for the team's final two-way contract.
Each team is allowed to have a maximum of three players on a two-way deal. Carlson and rookie forward Brooks Barnhizer hold two of those spots for the Thunder, meaning one is still up for grabs.
Numerous candidates from OKC's Summer League roster have emerged.
Chris Youngblood is an undrafted rookie who has established himself as a sharpshooter. Leons spent last season with the OKC Blue and has shown flashes of being a 3-and-D contributor. And Gortman is a G League journeyman who can catch fire quickly.
All three players came off the bench Tuesday, and Leons had the strongest performance of the bunch. He finished with 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in 20 minutes.
Gortman also recorded four points and two assists in 15 minutes. Youngblood went scoreless on 0-for-3 shooting from the field in 17 minutes but added two steals.
OKC is in the running for Las Vegas Summer League playoffs
OKC (3-0) is one of eight undefeated teams left in Las Vegas Summer League.
All 30 teams will play four games in Las Vegas. The top four teams will then advance to the playoffs, which begins Saturday. The other 26 teams will play a consolation game on either Friday or Sunday.
If two teams have the same record after the first four games, there are a series of tiebreakers to determine which one will reach the playoffs. The first is head-to-head record, and the second is point differential.
OKC has a point differential of 15 through its first three games. That ranks third.
"I think we're definitely taking it game by game," OKC Summer League head coach Connor Johnson said. "We're trying to reframe this whole experience as something for our guys to get better at. ... The goal is not just to win this Summer League. The goal is to be a better team by the time we leave.
"It's good that there's some excitement and guys are excited, but we have to keep that big picture in mind."
Up next for Thunder
OKC will continue its Las Vegas Summer League run with a game against New Orleans at 8:30 p.m. CT Wednesday (NBA TV). It'll be the fourth of a minimum of five games for the Thunder.
Justin Martinez covers sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Branden Carlson leads Thunder past Magic in NBA Summer League debut
Category: Basketball
