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Five Return Dates, One Target: The Oct. 6 Preseason Opener

Every injured Thunder player shares the same return estimate, and it points at the preseason opener.

0-0RecordSeason has not started yet
2026-10-01Injury Return DateShared by five Thunder players
2026-10-06Preseason OpenerHome against New Orleans
2026-10-20Regular Season OpenerOn the road at San Antonio
By the Thunder Nightly Desk · Tuesday, September 22

Oklahoma City opened camp with five players listed day-to-day — Otega Oweh, Thomas Sorber, Ajay Mitchell, Isaiah Hartenstein and Jalen Williams — and every one carries the same estimated return of Oct. 1. That date lands five days ahead of the preseason opener on Oct. 6 against New Orleans, with the regular season starting Oct. 20 on the road against San Antonio.

Thunder Nightly artwork
Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

One Return Date, Five Names

Otega Oweh (lower leg), Thomas Sorber (knee), Ajay Mitchell (calf), Isaiah Hartenstein (ankle) and Jalen Williams (hamstring) are all day-to-day, and all five share the same Oct. 1 estimate. That leaves five days of buffer before the preseason opener, enough runway to get bodies back on the floor before games start counting, even exhibition ones.

The Slate Takes Shape

Preseason opens Oct. 6 at home against New Orleans, then Milwaukee on Oct. 7, a trip to Atlanta on Oct. 12 and Indiana on Oct. 13. The regular season begins Oct. 20 on the road against San Antonio, the first game that counts.

A Beat Question On Hartenstein

Thunderous Intentions reported that "decisions will hinge on Chet Holmgren's development," tying Hartenstein's future workload to the young center's growth. Camp is the first place that plays out, with no roster move yet attached to it. Hartenstein is 28 and in his eighth NBA season, listed at center-forward on the roster.

When will the Thunder's injured players return?

All five players listed day-to-day — Otega Oweh, Thomas Sorber, Ajay Mitchell, Isaiah Hartenstein and Jalen Williams — have an estimated return of Oct. 1, five days before the preseason opener.

When do the Thunder play their first game?

The preseason opens Oct. 6 at home against New Orleans. The regular season opens Oct. 20 on the road against San Antonio.

By the Thunder Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.

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