The Oklahoma City Thunder fell 104-79 to the Golden State Warriors in a Summer League clash in Las Vegas, a game that served as a litmus test for several players on the fringe of NBA rosters.
Among them were three former Iowa Hawkeyes — Bennett Stirtz, Josh Dix and Payton Sandfort — each hoping a strong showing could translate into a guaranteed contract.
Stirtz’s polished debut
Stirtz logged 26 minutes and scored 13 points without a single turnover, a performance that drew praise from the coaching staff and hinted at his readiness for a more expanded role.
Dix’s uphill battle
Josh Dix managed only five points, failing to make an impact beyond his scoring bursts; the limited production comes as he operates under a one-year, two-way deal that leaves his long-term future in question.
Sandfort’s mixed bag
Payton Sandfort contributed 11 points, the second-highest total for his team, but his inconsistency underscored the challenges he faces in converting Summer League minutes into a permanent NBA spot.
With only a handful of games remaining before the Summer League wraps up, each of these former Hawkeyes is under pressure to prove he belongs on an NBA roster, making every stat line a potential deciding factor.