Nearly a week into NBA training camp, the Oklahoma City Thunder are about to cross that off their to-do list. Only a few weeks remain until Opening Night of the 2026-27 regular season. But before we get to that point, they have a handful of exhibition games to play.
The Thunder will play five preseason games from Oct. 6-15. It features two sets of back-to-backs. Two are traditional home games at OKC; another two are on the road; and one will be in Tulsa. In fact, they will play their preseason opener at the BOK Center on Tuesday, Oct. 6, against the New Orleans Pelicans.
So, how will the Thunder handle their preseason slate? Mark Daigneault revealed his hand a little at Sunday's training camp. He explained that the unorthodox flow of two back-to-back
sets to start and finish the run was all intentional and part of their plans.
"We make our own preseason schedule, so the back-to-backs are actually by design. We’re not going to play everybody in every game," Daigneault said. "At least the high-minute guys. We will play some guys five games, but the high-minute guys don't play in every game"
Sounds like it will be a typical preseason for the Thunder. If I had to guess, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren will play half of their two back-to-back sets. Probably the opener at Tulsa and then the home game against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Afterward, I could see a coin-flip decision of whether the Thunder play their preseason finale at the Houston Rockets on Thursday, Oct. 15. Another funny preseason schedule quirk for OKC — it has five consecutive days off after the first back-to-back to get things started. So plenty of practice and rest time.
In terms of who plays the bulk of the five games, it'll be the backend of the roster. Specifically, the young guys. Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz and Otega Oweh should get plenty of minutes. And if Thomas Sorber and Nikola Topic are cleared from their limited training camp, they should too. The rest of the rotation will be filled by the rest of the two-way players and Exhibit-10 guys.
Should be fun once the games get going. I know NBA preseason is kinda whatever, but it's nice to see the Thunder back in action before games start to count for the real deal. The biggest goal for the five-game slate is that they come out of it unscathed and fully healthy.
Mark Daigneault: “We make our own preseason schedule, so the back-to-backs are actually by design. We’re not going to play everybody in every game. At least the high-minute guys. We will play some guys 5 games, but the high-minute guys don't play in every game.” pic.twitter.com/NzAJrqhZGl
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 4, 2026
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Mark Daigneault reveals how OKC Thunder will handle 2026-27 NBA preseason
