The Dallas Mavericks kicked off their Summer League season on Saturday with a tough matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite their efforts, the Mavericks fell short, losing 91-80 to a strong Thunder Summer League team led by Chet Holmgren, the second pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Holmgren, who missed the entirety of last season due to injury, showcased his skills in his first Summer League game. The 21-year-old rookie recorded an impressive stat line of 16 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and two blocks. He shot 5-of-10 from the field and 1-of-4 from beyond the arc, displaying his versatility on both ends of the court.
While Holmgren stood out for the Thunder, rookie Cason Wallace stole the show with an impressive performance for Oklahoma City. Wallace finished the game with 20 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals. He shot 7-of-15 from the field and 6-of-10 from the three-point line, proving to be a force to be reckoned with.
Although the Mavericks had their fair share of solid performers, there were also some players who struggled in their Summer League debuts. As the team looks ahead to the upcoming season, they have been focused on balancing the roster and surrounding their core group, led by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, with solid pieces.
The Summer League provides an opportunity for the Mavericks to identify young talent and potentially find players who could contribute immediately or develop into key pieces down the line. It serves as a platform for evaluating potential Day 1 contributors or molding players into solid developmental projects.
As the Mavericks reflect on their first Summer League game, let’s take a closer look at three standout performers, or “studs,” and two players who may need to improve, or “duds,” from their opening matchup.