Clean Bill: Mitchell and Hartenstein Clear Ahead of Thunder…

By the Thunder Nightly Desk · Friday, October 2

Ajay Mitchell and Isaiah Hartenstein were both cleared on October 1, closing out the two most prominent names held off camp work. Oklahoma City's record still reads 0-0, with the preseason opener against New Orleans arriving October 6.

Thunder Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Health Report Improves

Ajay Mitchell and Isaiah Hartenstein came off the questionable list on October 1, with no detail reported on either issue beyond the clearance itself. Both injuries had kept Oklahoma City's health report thin in the week before, and the clearances mark the first change to it since the September 26 roster additions. That leaves Otega Oweh alongside Thomas Sorber as the two names still working back, each pointed toward a camp return on October 6.

Payroll Crosses the Apron

Oklahoma City carries a $216.2 million payroll, clear of the lower luxury-tax apron and above the $200.4 million tax line itself. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren each earn $41.5 million, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sits close behind at $40.8 million, and Isaiah Hartenstein follows at $23.1 million.

Preseason Arrives

The preseason opens October 6 at home against New Orleans, then Milwaukee on October 7, before road trips to Atlanta and Indiana ahead of a regular-season start October 20 at San Antonio. Robert McCray V, Andrew Holifield and Zhaire Smith, all added September 26, still have no defined role, the clearest question left as camp begins.

Has Oklahoma City played any games this season?

No. The record stands at 0-0, with the preseason opening October 6 at home against New Orleans.

Who is still working back from injury for the Thunder?

Otega Oweh and Thomas Sorber remain the two names working back, each pointed to a return around October 6, after Ajay Mitchell and Isaiah Hartenstein were cleared October 1.

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.