OKC Blue – Syndication Server

Thunder coach Daniel Dixon discusses summer league opportunity

Thunder coach Daniel Dixon discusses summer league opportunity.

Summer league is meant for experimentation. That doesn’t just stop on the court though for rookies and bubble NBA players trying to earn their next contract. It also applies to coaches during the July event.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have made the most of the summer extravaganza. They’ve split the head coaching duties since participating in two summer leagues in Utah and Las Vegas.

Blue head coach Kam Woods was the head coach for Utah’s three games. Blue assistant Daniel Dixon will be handed the baton in the more traditional SL at Las Vegas.

The 30-year-old began his coaching career in 2020. He had a brief pro career from 2017-20 overseas and in the G League after he went undrafted. He spent four college seasons at Wiliam & Mary.

Dixon has spent the last two seasons as a Blue assistant. He offered his thoughts on what type of coach he is in his first media availability on Friday.

“I think I just like to bring a lot of energy, and the biggest thing is focusing on development because I think that’s the biggest passion that I have,” Dixon said. “To help these guys get to where they want to get in the most delicate time of their careers.”

Considering Ousmane Dieng will sit out the rest of the summer event, more eyes will be on Dixon to see how he conducts himself as a head coach on the sidelines.

“It’s amazing, I’m extremely grateful,” Dixon said. “It’s like a dream. I’m really grateful that the organization put me in this position and they’re constantly investing in my development, which is a great thing.”

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Mark Daigneault reveals who will coach Summer League for OKC Thunder

Mark Daigneault reveals who will coach Summer League for OKC Thunder.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are days away from embarking into summer league. They will play at least seven games spanned over two weeks in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas from July 8-19.

This will be the first time the Thunder see rookies Dillon Jones and Ajay Mitchell suit up for them. Nikola Topic will be out for the event as he recovers from a partially torn ACL. The 18-year-old will miss all of next season.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault revealed after OKC’s rookie introductory presser that the two summer leagues will have two head coaches.

Kam Woods — the G League’s OKC Blue head coach — will coach the three Utah games. Daniel Dixon — a Blue assistant — will coach the four-plus Las Vegas games.

This shouldn’t be a shocker as the Thunder have previously used the two-head coach strategy in recent years. It gives multiple coaches a taste to man the sidelines.

Other summer league news includes that Cason Wallace is unlikely to participate in this year’s event. Chet Holmgren will also be in town to be in the summer league practices for OKC.

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Alex Caruso details excitement over reunion with Mark Daigneault

Alex Caruso details excitement over reunion with Mark Daigneault.

After nearly a decade, Mark Daigneault and Alex Caruso were reunited as a coach-player duo. This time around, it’s with the Oklahoma City Thunder instead of the G League’s OKC Blue.

Caruso was sent to the Thunder in a trade that shipped Josh Giddey to the Chicago Bulls. The 30-year-old is a smoother fit in OKC than the latter was due to his 3-and-D abilities.

After going undrafted in 2016, Caruso had his first real stop in the NBA with the Blue. He used that opportunity to springboard his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he carved out an NBA career.

He signed with the Bulls in 2021 and enjoyed individual success. He was named to back-to-back All-Defensive Teams and shot 40.8% from 3 on 4.7 attempts last season in a clunky Chicago offense.

Daigneault underwent a similar unorthodox path. The 39-year-old went from the Blue’s head coach to Thunder assistant to Thunder head coach in 2020.

Even when they lost, it was evident how bright his future was in the league. Daigneault’s coaching proxy was rewarded when he was named the Coach of the Year this past season. He shepherded the youngest first seed in league history.

After both individuals had their unique paths to success, they now have a chance to be productive at the NBA level. Caruso said he talked to Daigneault after the deal and both exchanged pleasantries and jabs.

“I was smiling ear to ear talking to him on the phone just because I was excited to play for him again,” Caruso said. “He told me, ‘Don’t be a smarta–.’ I told him, ‘I can’t wait for him to cuss me out at the first practice when I mess something up.’

“We’ll hit the ground running. It’ll be great just like it always is.”

As the Thunder embarks on a contention window, Daigneault will get more shots to help carve out the roster that best suits the team’s style. One of his first shots at helping bring in a win-now player involved a former G League player he coached. That’s the value of building those relationships.

Even though Caruso is only under contract for one year, it’s evident his pairing with the Thunder is a match made in heaven. Both sides mutually benefit from their presence.

“A lot of growth from when we first started together,” Caruso said. “There’s a lot of positives and a lot of learning experiences we could take from those years.”

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OKC Blue’s Jahmi’us Ramsey named to All-NBA G League third team

OKC Blue’s Jahmi’us Ramsey named to All-NBA G League third team.

The G League announced its three All-NBA G League teams on Thursday. OKC Blue’s Jahmi’us Ramsey was named to the third team.

The 22-year-old played a pivotal role in the Blue winning their first G League championship this season. He served as a slashing scorer off the bench.

During the team’s playoff run, Ramsey averaged 16 points and shot 44% from 3 in five games.

In 30 games with the Blue, Ramsey averaged 20.6 points on 53.1% shooting, 7.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists.

He also signed a pair of 10-day deals with the Toronto Raptors this season. In seven games with Toronto, he averaged 6.7 points and 3.1 rebounds.

The third team consists of the following five players:

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OKC Thunder’s Olivier Sarr suffers ruptured Achilles tendon

OKC Thunder’s Olivier Sarr suffers ruptured Achilles tendon.

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Wednesday that two-way player Olivier Sarr suffered a left Achilles tendon rupture in the OKC Blue’s win over the Maine Celtics on Monday to capture the G League championship.

A timeline for Sarr’s return will be provided in the ensuing months.

It’s a tough break for Sarr, who’s been with the Thunder for the last three seasons as a two-way center. He played a pivotal role in the Blue’s title run as a rebounding big.

Considering how serious the injury is, Sarr will spend the next several months rehabbing it and hoping to continue his NBA career. The 25-year-old went undrafted in 2021 out of Kentucky.

In 15 games with the Thunder this season, Sarr averaged 2.3 points and 2.4 rebounds.

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Thunder recall Ousmane Dieng, Lindy Waters III following G League championship

Thunder recall Ousmane Dieng, Lindy Waters III following G League championship.

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Tuesday that they have recalled Ousmane Dieng and Lindy Waters III from the G League’s OKC Blue.

This comes a day after the Blue captured the 2024 G League championship in a decisive win over the Maine Celtics in the G League Finals.

Dieng received G League Finals MVP after he scored 25 points and grabbed six rebounds in the Game 3 win. Waters III totaled 15 points and 11 rebounds.

The second-year wing spent a significant amount of time with the Blue this season. The 20-year-old relished in the on-ball opportunities as the Blue’s best player. He continues to be a developmental project for the Thunder.

The first-seeded Thunder awaits their first-round opponent after the play-in tournament concludes on Friday. Game 1 at OKC will be held on Sunday, April 21.

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Recap: OKC Blue’s 117-100 win over Maine Celtics clinches 2024 G League championship

Recap: OKC Blue’s 117-100 win over Maine Celtics clinches 2024 G League championship.

The OKC Blue dominated in their 117-100 win over the Maine Celtics on Monday to win the 2024 G League Finals. The decisive Game 3 road win awarded the Blue the G League championship. Ousmane Dieng won the G League Finals MVP.

After the first quarter, the Blue built a 29-22 lead over the Celtics. A 34-point second frame capped off by a 21-0 run to close out the period helped OKC enter halftime with a commanding 63-40 advantage.

The Blue continued their momentum at the start of the second half with the first seven points for a game-changing 28-0 run that ballooned a 70-40 lead in the early stages of the third quarter.

The Celtics made some noise, cutting OKC’s lead to as little as 16 points, but the Blue tallied 29 points in the third quarter to enter the fourth frame with a 92-67 lead.

The Celtics made some noise with a 33-point fourth quarter, but not enough time was left for a serious comeback attempt.

The Blue shot 49% from the field and went 13-of-31 (41.9%) from 3. They went 12-of-14 from the free-throw line. They dished out 20 assists on 41 baskets. Six Blue players scored double-digit points.

Meanwhile, the Celtics shot 43% from the field and went 11-of-39 (28.2%) from 3. They went 5-of-8 from the free-throw line. They had 25 assists on 40 baskets. Four Celtics players scored double-digit points.

Some notable individual performances from both sides:

Ousmane Dieng: 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting, 5-of-6 from 3, six rebounds, four assists, two blocks.
Lindy Waters III: 15 points on 5-of-13 shooting, 2-of-5 from 3, 11 rebounds
Keyontae Johnson: 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting, four rebounds, two assists
Olivier Sarr: 10 points on 2-of-6 shooting, 13 rebounds, two assists, two blocks
Jahmi’us Ramsey: 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting, 2-of-3 from 3, four rebounds
JD Davison: 22 points on 9-of-19 shooting, 2-of-4 from 3, 10 assists, four rebounds, four steals
Drew Peterson: 13 points on 6-of-15 shooting, 1-of-7 from 3, eight rebounds, eight assists

The full highlights from the Blue’s 17-point win over the Boston Celtics’ G League affiliate to clinch the championship can be watched below:

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Thunder assign Lindy Waters III to OKC Blue amid 2024 G League Finals

Thunder assign Lindy Waters III to OKC Blue amid 2024 G League Finals.

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Thursday that they have assigned Lindy Waters III to the G League’s OKC Blue.

This has been a common occurrence for Waters III, who was signed to a standard deal after starting the season in a two-way roster slot. The move gives the 26-year-old a chance to get consistent playing time.

Waters III is in his third season with the Thunder, mostly on two-way deals. In 36 games this season, he has averaged 3.3 points.

The Blue are in the 2024 G League Finals against the Maine Celtics. The Celtics are currently up 1-0 in the best-of-three series. Game 2 is set to be played on Thursday, April 11 at Paycom Center.

The 26-year-old should help the Blue’s odds of tying the series at one apiece. He’s averaged 21.8 points on 48% shooting in 12 G League games this season.

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Recap: OKC Blue suffers 106-86 loss to Maine Celtics in G League Finals Game 1

Recap: OKC Blue suffers 106-86 loss to Maine Celtics in G League Finals Game 1.

The OKC Blue suffered a 106-86 loss to the Maine Celtics in Game 1 of the 2024 G League Finals on Monday. The road loss puts the Blue in a 0-1 hole in the best-of-three series.

The Blue will hope to even the series at one apiece when it hosts Game 2 on Thursday, April 11 at Paycom Center in OKC.

The Blue had a slow start as they trailed 33-14 after the first quarter. A 28-point second frame didn’t move the needle much as OKC entered halftime with a 59-42 deficit.

A 25-point third frame by the Celtics pushed their lead to 84-61 entering the fourth quarter. The final frame was inconsequential as OKC tallied 25 points.

The Blue shot 35% from the field and went 12-of-45 (26.7%) from 3. They had 22 assists on 34 baskets. Only two Blue players scored double-digit points.

Meanwhile, the Celtics shot 48% from the field and went 12-of-35 (34.3%) from 3. They had 28 assists on 43 baskets. Four Celtics players scored double-digit points.

Some notable individual performances from both sides:

Ousmane Dieng: 15 points on 6-of-17 shooting, 3-of-8 from 3, four assists, three rebounds
Jaden Shackelford: 21 points on 8-of-19 shooting, 5-of-13 from 3, four assists, three rebounds
Olivier Sarr: nine points on 3-of-10 shooting, 1-of-5 from 3, 12 rebounds
JD Davison: 23 points on 8-of-18 shooting, 4-of-8 from 3, 12 assists, four rebounds
Neemias Queta: 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting, 13 rebounds, three blocks
Drew Peterson: 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting, 2-of-6 from 3, 11 rebounds, five assists, three steals
Jordan Walsh: 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, 3-of-4 from 3, six rebounds, three steals

The full highlights from the Blue’s 20-point loss to the Boston Celtics’ G League affiliate can be watched below:

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Recap: OKC Blue advance to 2024 G League Finals in 114-107 win over Stockton Kings

Recap: OKC Blue advances to 2024 G League Finals in 114-107 win over Stockton Kings.

The OKC Blue collected a 114-107 win over the Stockton Kings in the Western Conference finals. The playoff road win advanced the Blue to the 2024 G League Finals.

The Blue will face the Maine Celtics in a best-of-three series to determine the G League champions. Maine will have the homecourt advantage.

The Blue suffered a slow start; the Kings built a 27-16 lead in the first quarter. OKC trailed by as many as 15 points in the opening frame.

A switch flipped for the Blue in the second quarter. They outscored the Kings, 42-18, to enter halftime with a 58-45 lead. The teams scored 29 points apiece in the third frame.

The Blue built an 18-point lead in the second half and the Kings utilized a 33-point final frame to draw as close as five points, but they couldn’t get over the hump.

The Blue shot 47% from the field and went 13-of-33 (39.4%) from 3. They dished 19 assists on 40 baskets. Four Blue players scored double-digit points.

Meanwhile, the Kings shot 45% from the field and went 10-of-36 (27.8%) from 3. They collected 23 assists on 37 baskets. Four Kings players scored double-digit points.

Some notable individual performances from both sides:

Ousmane Dieng: 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting, 13 rebounds, four assists, three steals
Adam Flagler: 21 points on 6-of-15 shooting, 5-of-11 from 3, five assists
Jahmi’us Ramsey: 29 points on 11-of-17 shooting, seven rebounds, three assists
Keyontae Johnson: 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting, four rebounds
Jalen Slawson: 26 points on 6-of-13 shooting, 2-of-4 from 3, 8-of-10 on free throws, four assists, four blocks, three steals
Stanley Johnson: 30 points on 11-of-23 shooting, 5-of-11 from 3, six rebounds, four assists, four steals
Deonte Burton: 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting, 1-of-7 from 3, three assists

The full highlights from the Blue’s seven-point win over the Kings can be watched below:

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