Tag: Keyontae Johnson

Recap: Thunder starters help OKC Blue collect 128-113 win over Birmingham Squadron

Recap: Thunder starters help OKC Blue collect 128-113 win over Birmingham Squadron.

The G League’s OKC Blue featured a heavy-hitting lineup in its 128-113 win over the Birmingham Squadron on Tuesday. The home win improves the Blue’s record to 6-4.

All five Blue starters were players from the Oklahoma City Thunder’s roster. As the Thunder prepare to travel to play the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, Dec. 6, Mark Daigneault confirmed they’ll be called back up for that game.

Before that though, the Thunder players enjoyed an easy win against the Squadron for the second consecutive time.

The Blue held a 33-19 lead following the first quarter. By halftime, the OKC lead was 63-40. The Squadron’s 40-point third quarter helped cut the deficit, but they still trailed by 12 points entering the final frame.

The Blue shot 56% from the field and were a hot 15-of-36 (41.7%) from 3. OKC dished 27 assists on its 49 buckets.

The Squadron were limited to 42% shooting from the field and went 17-of-43 (39.5%) from 3.

Some notable individual performances for both sides:

  • Tre Mann: 26 points on 11-of-18 shooting, 3-of-7 from 3, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals
  • Ousmane Dieng: 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting, five rebounds, two assists
  • Lindy Waters III: 26 points on 6-of-14 shooting, 6-of-12 from 3, three rebounds, three assists, five steals
  • Keyontae Johnson: 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting, 2-of-3 from 3, four rebounds, two assists
  • Olivier Sarr: 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting, 13 rebounds, three assists, three blocks
  • Hunter Maldonado: 16 points on 5-of-5 shooting, 11 assists
  • Jalen Crutcher: 30 points on 11-of-20 shooting, 5-of-11 from 3, nine assists, three rebounds
  • Malcolm Hill: 30 points on 9-of-21 shooting, 5-of-11 from 3, 12 rebounds, four assists, four steals

The full highlights from the Blue’s 15-point win over the New Orleans Pelicans’ G League affiliate can be watched below:

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OKC Thunder 3 goals: What Keyontae Johnson has to accomplish in 2023-24 season

Assigning 3 goals Keyontae Johnson can accomplish in his rookie season.

In this continuing series, Thunder Wire assigns three goals to each of the 21 players, per Spotrac, that make up the Oklahoma City Thunder roster.

The Thunder’s season kicks off on Oct. 25 against the Chicago Bulls. After a surprising 40-42 campaign that ended a win shy of the playoffs, OKC enters this year with playoff aspirations.

Let’s assign three goals for Keyontae Johnson. The second-round rookie will enter the season on a two-way deal, which means he’ll be limited to the amount of games he can play until he’s converted to a standard deal.

Until then, he’ll likely get most of his actual playing time with the OKC Blue.

Keyontae Johnson announces “The Key To My Heart” nonprofit to save lives from heart issues

Keyontae Johnson’s nonprofit aims to prevent heart conditions from turning critical.

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Keyontae Johnson’s journey to the NBA is well documented.

The 2023 second-round rookie collapsed on the court in Dec. 2020 in Florida. After being hospitalized, he was diagnosed with a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Instead of retiring and settling for millions of dollars in insurance claims, Johnson elected to continue his college career and was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

With Johnson in the NBA on a two-way deal, he recently announced the launch of his nonprofit organization, “The Key to My Heart.” It is dedicated to saving lives through critical cardiac initiatives.

The first donation made by Johnson’s nonprofit is an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to his old high school, Oak Hill Academy. The organization aims to supply life-saving AEDs and cardiac screenings to prevent cardiac-related incidents.

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Chet Holmgren believes Thunder have a deep roster: ‘We got so much talent’

The Thunder made a big jump in the standings last season and the team believes it can continue to build upon that success next year.

The Oklahoma City Thunder made a big jump in the standings last season, and the team believes it can build upon that success on the court.

The Thunder posted a 16-win improvement and qualified for the play-in tournament in the Western Conference. Led by first-time All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the team received tremendous play from Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, Lu Dort and others.

The group was kept mostly the same but will have Chet Holmgren after the former second pick missed all of last season with a foot injury. The Thunder also drafted Cason Wallace (10th pick) and Keyontae Johnson (50th pick), and signed former EuroLeague MVP Vasilije Micic.

With continued growth and development, the Thunder seem poised to top their 40-42 record from a season ago. Holmgren, speaking to Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on the “All the Smoke” podcast, believes the Thunder have a deep team.

We just got so much talent on our team. It’s going to be like a new guy every single game. The ball is gonna bounce this dude’s way this game; this dude’s gonna hit shots this game. We got dudes who didn’t get the most opportunity last year or just got with the team or whatever that when you watch them some games, you’re just gonna see that this dude can hoop. From Cason to (Ousmane Dieng) to Tre (Mann) — all the way down the roster. We got dudes.

Holmgren is fresh off a strong showing in summer league, averaging 16.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, two assists and one steal in four games between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. He finished his stay in the desert with 25 points, nine rebounds and five blocks on July 12.

The organization, led by Sam Presti, appears to have another promising core of players. The future appears to be bright in OKC and has Holmgren and the rest of the team excited about their potential.

“I’m excited just because our management does a great job of putting great guys in the locker room, as well as on the staff,” Holmgren said. “We’re also so young, everybody has room to grow. … It’s just going to be on us to get in the lab together and build that chemistry and figure out how to put the pieces together because we have a lot of talent.”

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Player grades: Jared Butler scores 31 points in 98-94 summer league loss to Spurs

The Thunder wrapped up their 2023 summer league with a 98-94 loss to the Spurs.

Converting underneath the basket, a Jared Butler bucket completed the 15-point comeback. After trailing for the first 35 minutes of the game, the Oklahoma City Thunder finally took their first lead of the night. A strong 15-4 start in the fourth quarter helped claw OKC back into this game.

Alas, the Thunder’s comeback attempt ultimately fell short, as they couldn’t overcome a slow start in a 98-94 summer league loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

Despite the loss, Thunder summer league coach Kam Woods had positive reviews for their overall stay in Las Vegas.

“I thought, collectively, we came together as a group,” Woods said. “Offensively, our ball movement has grown. I thought, defensively, our voice has grown. I thought we played with a lot more pace as each game went on.”

The Spurs opened the game with a 29-17 lead following the first quarter. The Thunder managed to shave just three points of the 12-point lead in the middle quarters. After briefly trailing, the Spurs quickly regained control and secured the win with a 10-3 run in the final three minutes of the contest.

It was an ugly contest from both teams as they struggled to get any offense humming. Both teams shot below 47% from the field and 32% from 3. Ball security was not very secure as OKC had 17 turnovers and San Antonio had 18 turnovers.

The Spurs managed to attempt 14 more shots than the Thunder due to their 15 offensive rebounds — this highlighted their lopsided 48-33 advantage on the boards.

The energy of this game matched the vibes lazy Sundays are usually associated with — as both teams elected to sit out most of their key players. This game provided an opportunity for the undrafted rookies and G Leaguers to get playing time and make one last impression before summer league concluded.

The player who made arguably the biggest impression in this game was Butler, who scored a game-high 31 points on efficient 10-of-18 shooting. Fighting to keep his two-way spot, his shot chart matched the temperature of the average July day in Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, the Spurs had several candidates that fit this mold. Undrafted rookies Charles Bediako and Erik Stevenson were two standouts. Bediako collected a 17-point and 11-rebound double-double and Stevenson had 23 points on 7-of-23 shooting. Second-round rookie Sidy Cissoko also had 10 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

With the loss, the Thunder finished the Las Vegas portion of summer league with a modest 2-3 record. OKC now enters the slowest part of the NBA calendar as training camp isn’t set to start until September.

Let’s look at Thunder player grades.

PHOTOS: Best images from Cason Wallace’s and Keyontae Johnson’s photo shoot

The rookie duo posed for photos with their Thunder uniforms.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are currently in Las Vegas as they play their slate of summer league contests.

The two-week event for the Thunder gives fans a chance to see their new rookies suit up for the first time since being drafted. For OKC, this means getting to see Cason Wallace and Keyontae Johnson in action.

Wallace was drafted with the No. 10 pick and Johnson was taken with the No. 50 pick of the 2023 NBA draft. The duo’s stay in Nevada also includes the opportunity to undergo their first official photo shoot with their new uniforms.

Let’s look at the best photos where Wallace and Johnson posed with their Thunder jerseys.

Player grades: Chet Holmgren, Ousmane Dieng dominate in 98-87 summer league win over Pacers

The Thunder’s pair of 2022 lottery picks showed out against the Pacers.

Rolling to the basket, Chet Holmgren completed the alley-oop by throwing down a lob pass from Jared Butler early in the second quarter. This was the first of several dunks from the seven-footer in his best summer league performance of the year.

Holmgren’s dominant night highlighted the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 98-87 win over the Indiana Pacers. After sitting the first night of this back-to-back, the 2022 No. 2 pick showed out in what is likely his final summer league game.

“I think (we’re) doing a better job each game of not only competing but carrying some of the stuff over from film,” Thunder summer league coach Kam Woods said about the win.

After sitting out most of their notable players the night before, the Thunder elected to roll them out for what is likely one final time. The Thunder’s two 2022 lottery picks that played didn’t disappoint. Holmgren and Ousmane Dieng turned in their best summer league games. The duo combined for 47 points on 18-of-26 (69.2%) from the field as they steamrolled the Pacers.

“The chemistry was really good in the team. … It was just moving the ball … having fun on the court,” Dieng said about the team’s performance.

The Thunder led the entire night with a lead as large as 17 points. The Thunder entered halftime with a 50-39 lead and lost only two points of that lead by the end of the third quarter.

The Pacers made it interesting in the final frame. They cut OKC’s lead to eight points, but the Thunder answered every threat with mini-runs of their own to keep a healthy distance on the scoreboard.

With several prominent players returning, OKC’s offense returned to robust levels of production. The Thunder shot 40-of-76 (52.6%) from the field — an even more impressive number considering they shot an underwhelming 6-of-24 (25%) from 3.

Led by Holmgren, the Thunder dominated inside of the paint as they outscored the Pacers, 58-34. While the offense was pretty, the Thunder defense was also at its best by limiting Indiana.

The Pacers struggled to generate offense against Holmgren and company. Indiana shot 33-of-87 (37.9%) from the field and went 12-of-38 (31.6%) from 3. The Pacers also committed 11 turnovers to just 17 assists. They even struggled from the free-throw line, where they went an ugly 9-of-19 (47.4%).

“There’s definitely some chemistry and some confidence in my teammates to know I have their back down there by the rim,” Holmgren said. “It gives them more confidence to get up and pressure knowing that if they get beat, I got their back.”

Lottery rookie Jarace Walker stood out for the Pacers. He finished with 20 points on 8-of-19 shooting and nine rebounds. Second-round rookie Isaiah Wong also had 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting and four assists.

The Thunder improve to 2-1 in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, the Pacers suffered their first defeat and sit 2-1.

If this is truly the final summer league game for most of the notable Thunder players, then they went out with their most impressive performance — both as individuals and as a collective.

Following this 11-point win, the Thunder will play at least two more summer league games. OKC’s next contest will be against the Washington Wizards on Friday, July 14.

Let’s look at Thunder player grades.

Takeaways: Summer Rockets stay unbeaten as Trevor Hudgins steps up versus Thunder

Led by an efficient 26 points and 7 assists from Trevor Hudgins, Ben Sullivan’s summer #Rockets remain unbeaten (3-0) after routing Oklahoma City. Cam Whitmore had 16 points and 8 rebounds.

With rookie Amen Thompson (left ankle sprain) and second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason (rest) sitting out the remainder of the NBA’s 2023 summer league, the expectation entering the final three games for the Houston Rockets was for rookie forward Cam Whitmore to receive a more featured role.

As it turned out, second-year guard Trevor Hudgins took on much of the playmaking burden. He came through in a big way in Tuesday’s 105-92 win (box score) over Oklahoma City. The Rockets (3-0) remain unbeaten and in contention for the 2023 summer-league playoffs (format) in Las Vegas.

Hudgins, who signed with Houston in the 2022 offseason as an undrafted free agent out of Northwest Missouri State, showed why he remains on a two-way NBA contract by scoring a game-high 26 points on efficient 10-of-20 shooting (50%), including five 3-pointers. He also ran the offense well; he finished with 7 assists to one turnover.

Whitmore had 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals, making 6-of-14 shots (42.9%) but just 1-of-8 on 3-pointers (12.5%). Rookie forward Matthew Mayer added 19 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for summer head coach Ben Sullivan (Ime Udoka’s top assistant) on 6-of-11 shooting (54.5%) and 3-of-8 on 3-pointers (37.5%).

Rookie wing Keyontae Johnson led the Thunder (1-1) in Tuesday’s loss with 19 points on 9-of-14 shooting (64.3%), while big man KJ Williams had 19 points (61.5% FG) and 13 rebounds.

Read on for highlights, postgame interviews with players and coaches, and reaction by fans and media members to Tuesday’s game. Houston returns to action Thursday versus Golden State, with tipoff at 6 p.m. Central and television coverage on ESPN.

Player grades: Cason Wallace struggles in 105-92 summer league loss to Rockets

The Thunder elected to sit out several players on the first night of their summer league back-to-back.

Playing on the first night of a back-to-back, the Oklahoma City Thunder elected to sit out most of their regulars in their 105-92 loss to the Houston Rockets on Tuesday.

Prior to tip, the Thunder ruled out Chet Holmgren, Ousmane Dieng, Tre Mann, Jaylin Williams, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Jared Butler. Although the assumption was that this meant all six players’ summer league were officially done, it was reported on the broadcast that isn’t necessarily the case. Only Mann — who suffered a finger fracture — was ruled out for the rest of the week.

Meanwhile, the Rockets followed a similar game plan as Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason were all ruled out. The latter two were officially shut down for the rest of the week.

So with several prominent players out, OKC’s two drafted rookies had the opportunity to play significant minutes. After they both made their debuts last game, Cason Wallace and Keyontae Johnson received more on their plates in their second contest.

Impressions were reversed this time out, as Wallace struggled with eight points on 2-of-12 shooting while Johnson dominated with 19 points in 22 minutes.

Overall, it was an ugly outing for the shorthanded Thunder — who shot 35-of-85 (41.2%) from the field and went an ice-cold 5-of-33 (15.2%) from 3. OKC’s offense got off to a hot start with 31 first-quarter points, but quickly sputtered for the rest of the game with 61 points scored in the final three quarters.

Meanwhile, the Rockets scored with ease. The absence of their three best summer league players was not noticeable, as they shot 37-of-70 (52.9%) from the field and went a hot 15-of-42 (35.7%) from 3. The Rockets led the entire way with a lead as large as 18 points.

The biggest name on the Rockets who suited up in this game was rookie Cam Whitmore, who dropped to No. 20 in the 2023 NBA draft after being mocked in the top four for most of the pre-draft process. He finished with 16 points on 6-of-14 shooting and eight rebounds in 34 minutes.

Other notable Rockets performers include Trevor Hudgins, who finished with 26 points on 10-of-20 shooting and went 5-of-15 from 3. Matthew Mayer also had 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting and 10 rebounds.

Outside of the two drafted rookies, two undrafted rookies stood out for OKC. KJ Williams finished with a double-double while Caleb McConnell did a little bit of everything. Both players are vying for the two available two-way spots and these performances are a step in the right direction.

From the five summer league games the Thunder have played so far, this was probably the least relevant of the bunch. The Thunder essentially elected to sit out all of their notable players sans Wallace with the Rockets doing the same.

Wednesday’s game against the Indiana Pacers will likely be the last noteworthy summer league game for the Thunder, as it could feature the return of all the notable players who sat out this game. After Wednesday though, don’t be surprised if OKC elects to sit them out for the final two summer league games.

Despite the Thunder’s 13-point loss, there were still some positives to take away from this game. Let’s look at Thunder player grades.

OKC Thunder officially sign Cason Wallace and Keyontae Johnson

Both are expected to make their Thunder summer league debut in Las Vegas.

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The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Friday that they have officially signed their draft class to deals.

After officially acquiring him from his draft-night trade, the Thunder signed No. 10 pick Cason Wallace to a multi-year deal. It will be a standard four-year first-round deal that includes team options for the latter two seasons.

The Thunder also announced that they signed No. 50 pick Keyontae Johnson to a two-way deal. Johnson will be limited to 50 NBA game appearances next season and will likely spend significant time with the G League’s OKC Blue.

With Wallace officially signed, he will be eligible to play in Las Vegas summer league. The Thunder are scheduled to play at least five games during the event.

Johnson is also expected to play for the Thunder for the first time this summer league after missing the three Salt Lake City games due to a hamstring strain.

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