A dozen Oklahoma City Thunder players, including big names like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, won’t even travel to Atlanta for their upcoming preseason game against the Hawks. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault just confirmed a massive list of returning rotation players are getting a night off, meaning we’re about to see a wildly different lineup than expected on Monday, October 12.
Coach Daigneault’s Strategic Call For the Back-to-Back
This isn’t some last-minute injury panic; it’s a cold, calculated move by Coach Daigneault. The Thunder are staring down their second back-to-back of the preseason, heading to Atlanta on Monday and then immediately back home to OKC to host the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, October 13. Daigneault explicitly stated the main rotation players will not be making the trip. “We are going to not travel a number of guys just based on the rhythm of preseason and the fact that it’s a back-to-back,” Daigneault explained. He’s prioritizing getting his returning core “physically ready to go against Indiana,” which means we’re essentially getting a preview of the G-League squad against the Hawks.
To be super clear, this list of players officially out for the Atlanta road trip includes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, Cason Wallace, Ajay Mitchell, Alex Caruso, Jared McCain, Jaylin Williams, Kenrich Williams, Nikola Topic, and Thomas Sorber. Topic and Sorber have been limited throughout camp and preseason, so their status might be a bit different, but the rest are healthy scratches to preserve them for the home game against Indiana.
Meet the Nine Guys Taking the Floor
So, if all those guys are out, who’s actually playing? Daigneault is rolling with a short, nine-man rotation made up entirely of rookies, two-way players, and Exhibit-10 additions. It’s a deep dive into the bottom of the roster, giving these young guys a huge opportunity. The nine players who will be suiting up for the Thunder against Atlanta are Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz, Brooks Barnhizer, Otega Oweh, Josh Dix, Zhaire Smith, Christoph Tilly, Anthony Pritchard, and Andrew Holifield. These are the guys who need to show out and make a statement. It’s their chance to prove they belong, even if it’s just a preseason tune-up.
What’s Next for OKC Before Opening Night
After this wild road-and-home back-to-back, the Thunder have just one more preseason game left on the schedule before the 2026-27 regular season tips off. Expect to see the full rotation back in action when they host the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. That’s where the team will truly start gelling ahead of opening night. Then, they’ll travel to face the Houston Rockets on Thursday, October 15, for their final preseason test. It’s all about ramping up, even if it means some unorthodox lineups along the way.
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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