Full Breakdown
Hawks Rally to Top Thunder in Salt Lake City Summer League Thriller
7/7/2026, 2:36:34 PM
Game Recap: Hawks Overcome 20-Point Deficit
On July 6, 2026 the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 82–77 at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Oklahoma City opened with a 26-11 first-quarter lead and extended the advantage to 41-21 early in the second half. A 22-8 run by Atlanta erased the margin, and the Hawks outscored the Thunder 50-32 over the second and third quarters to seize a 61-58 lead entering the fourth. A late 14-2 spurt secured the win, ending the contest with Atlanta’s quarter scores of 11, 25, 25, 21 and Oklahoma City’s 26, 17, 15, 19.
Recent Summer League Trajectory
Both clubs entered the game after opening losses. The Hawks, 1-1, had dropped an overtime contest to the Utah Jazz the previous night. The Thunder, 0-2, rebounded from a 111-74 defeat at the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. The matchup offered each rookie-heavy roster a chance to adjust after early setbacks.
Standout Contributors
Atlanta’s first-round pick Zuby Ejiofor led all scorers with 19 points and recorded a double-double of 15 rebounds and three assists. Guard Kingston Flemings added 12 points, five assists and three blocks, while forward Asa Newell contributed 13 points and seven rebounds. Reserve forward Keshon Gilbert posted 12 points. Oklahoma City’s top performer was Payton Sandfort, who poured in 25 points, four rebounds and two assists off the bench. Center Aday Mara posted 10 points, nine rebounds and four blocks; rookie guard Bennett Stirtz tallied nine points, three assists and two rebounds; and Bryce Thompson added 12 points, including a key and-one floater in the fourth quarter.
Statistical Breakdown
The Hawks shot 38 % from the field and 12-of-36 (33.3 %) from three-point range, converting 9-of-15 free throws. They logged 19 assists on 27 field goals, recorded nine steals and six blocks. Oklahoma City shot 36 % overall and 5-of-15 (33.3 %) from three, making 13-of-19 free throws, with 15 assists on 25 baskets, four steals and four blocks. Atlanta out-rebounded the Thunder 45-24, a margin that proved decisive after the early Thunder lead.
Implications for Rookie Development
The contest highlighted the developmental value of Summer League play. Ejiofor’s 19-point, 15-rebound effort reinforced his reputation as a versatile modern big, echoing his collegiate accolades as Big East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Sandfort’s 25-point outburst demonstrated scoring efficiency that could influence his two-way contract status. For Oklahoma City, Mara’s size and shot-blocking showed promise, while Stirtz’s mixed shooting underscored the need for continued refinement.
Critique of Thunder’s Performance
Analysts noted that the Thunder “ran out of gas” after establishing a 20-point cushion, with their offense stalling in the second half and the fourth quarter yielding only 19 points. The team’s reliance on a limited scoring burst and inconsistent shooting were cited as factors that prevented them from preserving the lead.
Upcoming Summer League Matchups
The Hawks will face the Memphis Grizzlies at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, while the Thunder are slated to play the Utah Jazz at 9 p.m. ET the same night, offering both squads additional opportunities to evaluate their rookie cohorts.
