Oklahoma City led the Milwaukee Bucks by 22 points on Tuesday night, then lost 126-128 in a second straight preseason collapse. Aday Mara went 10 of 10 from the field for a team-high 22 points, pacing a loss that keeps the preseason skid at two straight blown double-digit leads.
A Lead Turns Into a Loss
The Thunder built a 22-point cushion against Milwaukee on October 7, up 44-38 after one quarter. Milwaukee answered with a 33-20 third quarter and eventually tied the game before winning 128-126. It was the second night in three that Oklahoma City surrendered a lead of 20 points or more; two days earlier a 24-point edge slipped away in a 110-116 loss to New Orleans.
Mara's Perfect Shooting Night
Aday Mara finished 10 of 10 from the field for 22 points, six rebounds and a team-best plus-17 in 25 minutes. Daily Thunder's recap called him perfect in the loss, and Thunderous Intentions flagged a skill of his the staff is already using. Bennett Stirtz scored 20 off the bench but finished a team-worst minus-20, and the five starters outscored the bench 74 to 50.
Health Clears, Calendar Fills In
Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso were all cleared before Tuesday's game, while Hartenstein, Holmgren, Jaylin Williams and Thomas Sorber remain day-to-day with an estimated return of October 12, the same day Oklahoma City visits Atlanta. Preseason continues against the Pacers on October 13 and at Houston on October 15, before the regular season opens October 20 at San Antonio. The group carries a $216.2 million payroll, above the $200.4 million tax line, with Holmgren and Jalen Williams each at $41.5 million and Gilgeous-Alexander behind them at $40.8 million.
Is the Thunder's preseason record official?
No — the NBA does not count preseason games toward the standings, so Oklahoma City's record stays at 0-0 despite the preseason losses to New Orleans and Milwaukee.
Who is hurt for the Thunder right now?
Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren, Jaylin Williams and Thomas Sorber are all listed day-to-day, with an estimated return of October 12 against Atlanta.
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