Aday Mara, Payton Sandfort shine for OKC Thunder in NBA Summer League loss vs Hawks

SALT LAKE CITY — The Atlanta Hawks erased a 20-point deficit to earn an 82-77 win over the OKC Thunder on Monday.

>OKC is now 0-2 in Salt Lake City Summer League play. It fell short despite a sizzling showing by Payton Sandfort, who torched the nets for 25 points in 21 minutes off the bench.

>OKC will finish Salt Lake City Summer League play with a game against the Utah Jazz at 8 p.m. CT Tuesday. It'll then travel to Las Vegas for another four games.

class="exclude-from-newsgate">Here are three takeaways from the game:

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Payton Sandfort put on a show after Saturday's strugglesSandfort held his form as the ball rattled around the rim late in the first quarter.

>All the OKC forward could do was hope for a friendly bounce from the basket. The same one that was unforgiving toward him during his team's Summer League opener against Memphis on Saturday, where he posted 13 points on 4-for-12 shooting from the field (2 for 9 from deep).

>But Sandfort finally caught a break when the ball found the bottom of the net. And he flashed three fingers to celebrate the 3-pointer, as his teammates on the bench did the same.

>Sandfort erupted for 11 points during the first quarter alone, tying Atlanta's total. He ended the night with 25 points, four rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes off the bench and went 6-for-10 from the field (4 for 6 from deep).

>It was an impressive performance by Sandfort, who played well down the stretch of last regular season after signing a two-way deal with OKC. He averaged 8.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in 15.8 minutes on 50% shooting from the field (41.2% from deep) throughout four appearances.

>OKC waived Sandfort prior to the start of Summer League play. He'll continue to play with the Thunder this offseason and figures to remain with its G League team.

class="related-link">More: OKC Thunder waives Payton Sandfort, brings him back for Summer League

Aday Mara showcased his peak rebounding powersZuby Ejiofor and Asa Newell jumped into the air while swiping their hands.

>They desperately tried to poke a defensive board away from Aday Mara but had no success. Not against the 7-foot-3 center, who used his 9-9 standing reach to keep the ball in the rafters.

>Rebounding should be that easy for a player who towers over people like Salt Lake City's Mount Olympus. That's why it was disappointing to see Mara record just three boards in 22 minutes during his Summer League debut on Saturday.

>But Mara showed his peak rebounding powers on Monday. The OKC rookie racked up nine boards to go along with his 10 points and four blocks in 24 minutes.

class="related-link">More: How OKC Thunder, rookie Aday Mara are using NBA Summer League to adjust to each other

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Otega Oweh exited the game with apparent ankle injuryOtega Oweh exited the fourth quarter due to an apparent left ankle injury.

>The rookie forward immediately signaled to be subbed out after driving into the lane and drawing a foul. He then hobbled toward the bench, where he remained for the rest of the game.

>Oweh finished with four points, five rebounds, and two steals in 22 minutes. He went 1 for 7 from the field.

>OKC selected Oweh with the No. 41 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. He spent the first two seasons of his college career at OU before transferring to Kentucky.

>An update on Oweh's status moving forward this Summer League has not yet been provided.

class="related-link">More: For OKC Thunder draft pick Otega Oweh, there is no place like home in Oklahoma

class="exclude-from-newsgate">Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com 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: Aday Mara, Payton Sandfort shine for OKC Thunder in NBA Summer League loss vs Hawks