Recap: What OKC Thunder said on Monday's 2026-27 NBA training camp

The Oklahoma City Thunder held their last day of NBA training camp on Monday, Oct. 5. Only a few weeks remain as they're part of Opening Night. They enter the 2026-27 regular season as co-title favorites — alongside the San Antonio Spurs.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander talked to the local media. Daigneault revealed who will play and sit out for OKC's preseason opener at Tulsa on Tuesday, Oct. 6. Gilgeous-Alexander reflected on Russell Westbrook's epic career.

The Thunder will face the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. That's part of a home back-to-back. The second night is back at OKC against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

Here's everything else that happened in OKC's Monday, Oct. 5 training camp:

Mark Daigneault

said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber will not play in tomorrow’s preseason opener against the Pelicans. They will travel to Tulsa, though

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 5, 2026

SGA on Russell Westbrook: “He’s as dynamic as they come in terms of NBA player, personality, teammate… He deserves all those flowers for what he's done off the court and on the court. Obviously, a little shocking that it's this soon. I thought he had a little bit more in the… pic.twitter.com/DBzCWkcC0G

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 5, 2026

SGA on Russell Westbrook: “Russ is like Oklahoma's baby, so I don't think there'll ever be another. He was their first guy. You feel him in the streets. Russ is everywhere. He’s a pioneer for what we stand on.” pic.twitter.com/N5UjEfSCvT

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 5, 2026

SGA on his relationship with Russell Westbrook: “He’s honestly just a great human being, despite what people have said about him in the past. Russ is amazing. He’s always a phone call away.” pic.twitter.com/oX0r8J3BLm

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 5, 2026

SGA on his hairstyle change: “I don't have the exact name for it, but I have a few products.”

On if he’s surprised at how quickly his hair grew back: “Nah. I know it grew this fast.” pic.twitter.com/yj2G6fJts2

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 5, 2026

SGA on working out with Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace and Jared McCain at training camp: “I usually workout post-practice, especially in training camp. The games are still a little bit of ways away. I can empty my tank. It's a little bit hard to do so when you have a game every… pic.twitter.com/u03GtQ8Kxe

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 5, 2026

SGA on his leadership: “I think naturally, it's just grown because I've grown as a man. Becoming a father has helped with that. You’re an example for somebody every day.” pic.twitter.com/u7a81yIwFr

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 5, 2026

Mark Daigneault on Otega Oweh: “He’s got electric athleticism. He's one of those players that makes things happen.” pic.twitter.com/fLEBBKH74X

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 5, 2026

Mark Daigneault on Zhaire Smith: “He’s obviously a more veteran player. He's been in training camps before. He's played in the NBA.” pic.twitter.com/9TvVPUfZix

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 5, 2026

Mark Daigneault on Bennett Stirtz: “He’s a very functional player. He's a low-mistake player. He really thinks the game well on both ends of the floor. So he's very reliable. He's where he's supposed to be.” pic.twitter.com/Q3MQYoyGaE

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 5, 2026

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Recap: What OKC Thunder said on Monday's 2026-27 NBA training camp