The Oklahoma City Thunder kicked off their 2026-27 NBA preseason with a 116-110 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday, but the final score barely tells the story. After a rock-solid first half where their “B squad” built a massive 24-point lead, the Thunder essentially called it a night at halftime. That choice led to the entire lead vanishing into thin air, a tough pill to swallow for any fan watching.
Young Talent Delivers Big Moments
Despite the eventual collapse, there was a whole lot to be excited about, especially from some of the younger players. Aday Mara was an absolute beast in his playing time, racking up 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks. He looked awesome out there. Bennett Stirtz also brought serious energy, dropping 15 points and dishing out 6 assists. Not to be outdone, Jared McCain chipped in with 12 points and 5 assists. And coming off the bench, Bennedict Mathurin added 13 points, showing he is ready to contribute. Thunder Head Coach Mark Daigneault watched guard Ajay Mitchell drive to the basket and Jared McCain gesture after scoring a three-point shot. Mara even shot over Herbert Jones during the first half.
Pelicans Hang Around, Thunder Let It Slip
While the Thunder’s young guys were lighting it up, the Pelicans quietly kept themselves in the game, eventually capitalizing on OKC pulling back their main players. Even Zion Williamson, who finished with a quiet 11 points and 4 rebounds, did not need to do much heavy lifting. Trey Murphy III matched Williamson’s 11 points, and Derek Queen added 10 points and 9 rebounds. It was a classic preseason scenario: get some reps, then let others finish, even if it means watching a huge lead go poof. Trendon Watford even got a dunk in the second half. Kenrich Williams warmed up before the game, and Josh Dix dribbled the ball down the court.
This preseason opener might have ended in a loss and a blown lead, but it gave Thunder fans a glimpse of what is coming. With impressive showings from players like Mara, Stirtz, and McCain, there is definitely plenty of exciting individual performances to track as the team works through the preseason schedule.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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