3 days ago
NBA Summer League: OKC Thunder Las Vegas Preview
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 7 : Brooks Bamhizer #23 of the Oklahoma City Thunder walks up the court ... More during a foul shot against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of their NBA Summer League game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on July 7, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by)
Following a 1-2 record during a stint in Salt Lake City, the Oklahoma City Thunder will continue its NBA Summer League with at least five more games in Las Vegas. As all 30 teams compete on the campus of UNLV, future stars will showcase their upside ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Who will be taking the floor for the Thunder in Las Vegas, and what should we be watching for?
Schedule
Each team will play at least five games in Las Vegas, with the chance of a sixth for the teams who make a run at the championship. To start, four games will be played by each squad, then the top four teams will advance to participate in the playoffs based on winning percentage in that first set of contests. The 26 teams that do not advance to the playoff will play a fifth game to round out their summer.
July 10: Brooklyn Nets | 4:30 PM on ESPN2
To kick off the Thunder's stint in Las Vegas, the Nets will be the first team on the schedule. An extremely young team overall, Brooklyn will look to showcase its five rookies taken in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. As such, this will be an opportunity for members of the OKC roster to go up against premier young talent.
July 12: Indiana Pacers | 4:30 PM on NBA TV
This will be an NBA Finals rematch, though the rosters will look much different. As both the Thunder and Pacers look toward the future and sustained competitive success, NBA Summer League serves as a forum for younger pieces of the roster to start stepping up and proving they deserve more of an opportunity to play in-season, including Enrique Freeman and Johnny Furphy for the Pacers.
July 15: Orlando Magic | 5:30 PM on NBA TV
Orlando has several interesting young pieces on its roster this summer, notably with Tristan da Silva from last season's rookie class alongside a pair of incoming rookies in Jase Richardson and Noah Penda. This will be a great test for the Thunder going up against three players expected to get NBA minutes this season.
July 16: New Orleans Pelicans | 8:30 PM on NBA TV
Following an interesting 2025 NBA Draft, New Orleans has a pair of lottery rookies in Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. Both have star upside if everything falls into place over the next few years, which speaks to the future potential of the Pelicans. It's unclear if those two will still be playing by this point in NBA Summer League, but New Orleans has a talented roster across the board that will make this a fun watch.
Roster
Although Oklahoma City's NBA Summer League roster is large, there are several key pieces who aren't actually suiting up. That includes recent first-round pick Thomas Sorber, as well as Viktor Lahkin and Payton Sandfort.
Here's the Thunder's official roster for NBA Summer League:
• Zack Austin
• Brooks Barnhizer
• Ty Brewer
• Cameron Brown
• Branden Carlson
• Alex Ducas
• Cesare Edwards
• Jazian Gortman
• Viktor Lakhin
• Maley Leons
• Ajay Mitchell
• Erik Reynolds II
• Payton Sandfort
• Mady Sissoko
• Thomas Sorber
• Nikola Topić
• Kerwin Walton
• Hason Ward
• Chris Youngblood
OKC Thunder 2025 NBA Summer League Schedule
Key Players
Ajay Mitchell
Poised to take on a legitimate role with the Thunder this upcoming season, Mitchell will look to continue his phenomenal summer in Las Vegas.
Nikola Topic
As he works his way back into shape following a year off from basketball due to injury, Topic will benefit greatly from more reps following a great showing in Salt Lake City.
Brooks Barnhizer
Although he was taken in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, Barnhizer has proven he can contribute to winning at the NBA level with his rebounding and defensive intensity.
Jazian Gortman
Although somewhat undersized, Gortman is a fluid offensive weapon who can score points in a hurry.
Chris Youngblood
A surprise contributor in Salt Lake City, Youngblood has really impressed to this point in NBA Summer League as he battles for a spot on a roster around the league.
Malevy Leons
Entering his second Las Vegas stint with the Thunder, Leons is a fascinating prospect who plays an unorthodox game but is impactful.
Additional Notes
