The Dallas Mavericks opened their NBA Summer League campaign with a hard-fought 97-87 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on July 17, 2026. The game showcased the promise of both franchises’ young cores, with the Mavericks relying on a balanced scoring attack and late-game execution to seal the win.

First Half: Back-and-Forth Battle

Both teams traded leads throughout the opening two quarters, with Oklahoma City using its athleticism to push the pace. The Thunder’s young guards attacked the rim effectively early, but Dallas answered with crisp ball movement and timely three-point shooting. The Mavericks held a narrow 48-46 advantage at halftime, setting the stage for a competitive second half.

Mavericks Pull Away in the Second Half

Dallas came out of the locker room with renewed defensive intensity, forcing several Oklahoma City turnovers that turned into transition points. The Mavericks extended their lead to double digits midway through the third quarter, but the Thunder refused to fade. A 10-2 run late in the period brought OKC back within five, entering the fourth quarter trailing 72-67.

In the final frame, Dallas’s composure proved decisive. The Mavericks got key contributions from their bench, including a pair of three-pointers that stretched the lead back to 12 with under five minutes remaining. Oklahoma City never got closer than eight points the rest of the way, as the Mavericks controlled the tempo and made free throws down the stretch.

Standout Performances

• Dallas Mavericks: The leading scorer for Dallas was Jaden Hardy, who poured in 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-8 from deep. Rookie guard Dariq Whitehead added 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, showing off a versatile offensive game. Center Dereck Lively II controlled the paint with 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
• Oklahoma City Thunder: Guard Cason Wallace led OKC with 20 points and 5 assists, while forward Ousmane Dieng contributed 15 points and 8 rebounds. The Thunder struggled from three-point range (29% on 34 attempts), which hurt their comeback bid.

Key Takeaways

For Dallas, this Summer League opener showed encouraging chemistry and depth. The Mavericks’ ability to execute in the half-court and defend without fouling bodes well for their development program. Oklahoma City, meanwhile, will look to tighten its perimeter defense and find more consistent scoring from its second unit.

Both teams return to action later this week in the ongoing NBA Summer League slate, with the Thunder aiming to bounce back and the Mavericks seeking to build on their winning start.