Oklahoma City opens its preseason slate at home against New Orleans on October 6 and Milwaukee on October 7, with the regular season not tipping off until October 20 at the Spurs. Last season's 64-18 team starts fresh at 0-0, and four rotation pieces will sit out both games this week.
Two Different Season Tests
The slate begins October 6 against New Orleans, followed the next night by Milwaukee on October 7. Milwaukee arrives as a playoff-level test a night after New Orleans, giving the staff a quick contrast between a rebuilding roster and a proven one before the calendar turns to a longer slate of exhibitions. Both are the first look at Mark Daigneault's rotation, with the 21-man camp roster still working down to an opening-night group.
Four Regulars Sit Out
Isaiah Hartenstein, Otega Oweh, Thomas Sorber and Ajay Mitchell will miss both games this week; each has an estimated return of October 1, so barring a setback all four should be full participants in training camp before the preseason slate is out. Last season, when a rotation piece went down for a stretch, Caruso logged about 10 extra minutes a night over three games and McCain saw about 11 more — a reminder of how thin the wing and guard depth gets without both Mitchell and Hartenstein on the floor together.
Why the Spurs Opener Looms
The regular season opens October 20 at the Spurs, airing on NBC with a Peacock stream also available. ESPN reported that the team's public focus is on its own improvement rather than San Antonio, while a Thunderous Intentions column argued Holmgren still lacks the edge needed to slow Victor Wembanyama. The payroll sits at $216.2 million, above both the first apron and the luxury tax line, a cost that only makes sense if the roster is built to win now. Oklahoma City enters the year defending last season's championship, so even a preseason look at this rotation gets read against a repeat bid.
When do the Thunder play their first preseason game?
Oklahoma City opens its preseason slate at home against New Orleans on October 6, followed by Milwaukee on October 7.
Which Thunder players are out for these games?
Isaiah Hartenstein, Otega Oweh, Thomas Sorber and Ajay Mitchell are all out, each with an estimated return date of October 1.
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