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The Bricktown Brief · Morning

Eight Regulars Clear Rest Tag Before Bucks Preseason Game

Holmgren, Wallace, Hartenstein and five more are set to play tonight; payroll already sits at $216.2M.

$216.2MPayrollabove the first apron
110-116Last Resultlost to Pelicans Tuesday
0-0Preseason Recordopener Oct 20 at Spurs
Day-To-DayRest Tageight names cleared for Bucks
By the Thunder Nightly Desk · Wednesday, October 7

Oklahoma City dropped its preseason opener to New Orleans 110-116 on Tuesday, then swapped Robert McCray V for Anthony Pritchard on an Exhibit 10 deal the same morning. Eight regulars carrying a rest tag, including Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Caruso, are listed to play tonight against Milwaukee.

Thunder Nightly artwork
Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

The Rest List Clears Tonight

Holmgren, Sorber, Wallace, Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams, Jalen Williams, Caruso and Gilgeous-Alexander all carried a rest tag into Wednesday, each marked to return for the Bucks game. None of the eight listings came with a reported injury beyond rest or a non-injury note, so the group reads as scheduled maintenance ahead of the regular slate rather than a health concern.

A Blown Lead, A Roster Swap

Tuesday's loss to New Orleans saw a 24-point advantage disappear before the final buzzer, with Bennett Stirtz leading Oklahoma City at 15 points and Jared McCain adding 12. Hours later, Anthony Pritchard signed an Exhibit 10 contract and joined the roster, while Robert McCray V left the organization the same day.

The Apron Number Holds Steady

Payroll sits at $216.2M, above the first apron and well past the $200.4M luxury tax line, with Holmgren's $41.5M matching Jalen Williams on the books. Oklahoma City still owns its 2029 and 2030 first-round picks outright, while the 2027 and 2028 selections carry swap language that leaves their value unsettled until draft night.

Is Chet Holmgren playing against the Bucks tonight?

He is listed to play after carrying a rest tag for the Pelicans game; Oklahoma City has not reported an injury beyond rest for him.

What is Oklahoma City's payroll for 2026-27?

Oklahoma City's payroll stands at $216.2M, above the first apron and above the $200.4M luxury tax line.

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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