Oklahoma City carried a 22-point cushion into the game behind sharp shooting from Gilgeous-Alexander and Alex Caruso, then watched Milwaukee's closing group erase it for a 126-128 preseason result. The Thunder's own finishing five mixed regulars with reserves, a look coach Mark Daigneault is still testing before the regular-season opener.
A Lead That Didn't Hold
Oklahoma City built as much as a 22-point lead, while Milwaukee's largest edge of the night was six. Milwaukee opened with an 8-0 run early in the first quarter, but Oklahoma City answered with a 12-0 surge in the second quarter that pushed the cushion to its peak. From there Milwaukee's bench, fronted by Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Tyler Herro, cut the margin down for a 126-128 final. Oklahoma City's closing five paired Gilgeous-Alexander and Cason Wallace with reserves Ajay Mitchell, Brooks Barnhizer and Kenrich Williams, the same group still on the floor when it ended.
Efficient Night, Short Minutes
Gilgeous-Alexander needed only 13 minutes for 15 points, going 5 for 5 from the field and 3 for 3 from three, finishing plus-13. Jalen Williams added 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting with four assists and two steals in 15 minutes. Off the bench, Aday Mara went 4 for 4 for 8 points and 6 rebounds, posting the game's best plus-minus at plus-24 in 15 minutes, while Jared McCain hit 3 of 4 threes for 9 points in just 8 minutes. Grade: Gilgeous-Alexander earns an A for efficiency, Mara a B-plus for his two-way debut, and Williams a solid B for a full line on the losing side.
No Rest, Short Turnaround
Oklahoma City had zero days off after Tuesday's loss to the Pelicans, while Milwaukee played with a day of rest. Neither result moves a record: the Thunder stay at 0-0, with preseason games not counting toward the mark. The next look comes in five days at Atlanta on October 12, then the Pacers at home and the Rockets on the road, before the regular-season opener October 20 at San Antonio. That gap gives Daigneault's staff more time to settle the minutes question before it starts to matter for real.
Did the Thunder blow a lead against the Bucks in preseason?
Yes. Oklahoma City led by as much as 22 points before Milwaukee's bench rallied for a 126-128 win on October 7.
How did Gilgeous-Alexander play in the preseason loss to Milwaukee?
He scored 15 points in 13 minutes, shooting 5 for 5 from the field and 3 for 3 from three, with four assists and a plus-13 rating.
