Thunder Will Sit Eight Players for Preseason Opener
The Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Pelicans Tuesday in Tulsa without eight rostered players.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Basketball
Live Poll
Do you support professional teams resting key players during preseason games?
The Oklahoma City Thunder will begin their preseason schedule on Tuesday against the New Orleans Pelicans at the BOK Center in Tulsa. The team will be missing eight players for this initial matchup.
Why it matters
Managing player availability during the preseason allows coaching staffs to balance rest with rotational evaluation before the regular season begins. This strategy is standard for teams looking to preserve core talent.
A total of 8 players will miss the preseason opener in Tulsa. Six of those players are scheduled to return to the lineup for the Wednesday home game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The players
Oklahoma City Thunder
This professional basketball team competes in the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
He is a standout guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder and a frequent All-NBA selection.
Chet Holmgren
He is a versatile center and forward who plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The details
The Oklahoma City Thunder will face the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday before returning to Oklahoma City for a Wednesday game at the Paycom Center. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, Cason Wallace, and Alex Caruso are among those sitting out Tuesday who will return on Wednesday.
Timeline
Tuesday: Thunder play preseason opener against Pelicans.
Wednesday: Thunder host Milwaukee Bucks at Paycom Center.
Next Monday: Thunder travel to face Atlanta Hawks.
Next Tuesday: Thunder face Indiana Pacers at home.
Oct. 20: Thunder play regular season opener against Spurs.
Season Trajectory
This cautious approach to the preseason schedule allows the Thunder to prioritize long-term health for key starters. The team is aiming for optimal performance during their regular season opener against the San Antonio Spurs.
Fans attending the game in Tulsa will see a limited rotation featuring bench players rather than the full starting lineup. The quick return of six players on Wednesday will provide a more representative look at the team's depth for home supporters.
The takeaway
Preseason games serve primarily as a laboratory for coaches to test combinations rather than a preview of regular season rotation intensity. Readers should expect fluid lineups until the final exhibition matches conclude.
What happens next
The Oklahoma City Thunder open their 2026-27 regular season against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio on Oct. 20 at 8:30 p.m.
Further reading
For more news on the team, visit the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KFOR 4 Oklahoma City.
Live Poll
Do you support professional teams resting key players during preseason games?
