3 Takeaways From Thunder’s First Preseason Game

The Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t have much of their regular rotation available Tuesday night and for the most part still looked like a Thunder team we’re used to seeing. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, Jaylin Williams, and Isaiah Hartenstein all watched from the sideline as Oklahoma City opened its preseason against the New Orleans Pelicans in Tulsa. 

That made the game less about the final score and more about the players who were given an opportunity.

The Thunder eventually fell 116-110, but there were a few performances worth paying attention to, especially from Jared McCain, Bennett Stirtz and Aday Mara which are the three biggest things that stood out. 

Jared McCain wasn’t afraid to be aggressive

McCain didn’t have the luxury of playing alongside Oklahoma City’s biggest names Tuesday night. Instead, he was one of the players expected to help carry the offense.

The biggest thing is he looked comfortable doing it.

McCain was aggressive from the start, looking for his shot and making plays instead of simply standing around waiting for someone else to create something. That’s an important part of his development because there will be nights during the regular season when the Thunder need somebody off the bench to provide that kind of energy.

The scoring is what will get the attention, but the bigger takeaway was his willingness to take responsibility.

That’s something Oklahoma City will need from him.

McCain isn’t going to replace what Gilgeous-Alexander or Jalen Williams bring to the floor, but he doesn’t have to. If he can give the Thunder a reliable scoring option when the starters aren’t on the floor, his value becomes much clearer.

Tuesday was a good first step.

Bennett Stirtz looked like he belonged

Just like McCain, Stirtz didn’t waste much time introducing himself to the Tulsa crowd. 

The rookie knocked down three 3-pointers in the first quarter, showing the confidence that made Oklahoma City comfortable trading up to select him No. 16 overall.

There wasn’t much hesitation. When the ball found him, he was ready to shoot.

That’s going to be important for Stirtz as he adjusts to what will be a much different in the NBA than he had in college. He isn’t going to have the same freedom he had at Iowa, where he could control the game and have the ball in his hands whenever he wanted. 

With the Thunder, he’ll have to make quick decisions and find ways to contribute without needing the offense built around him.

His shooting gives him a chance to do exactly that.

One preseason game obviously doesn’t tell us what Stirtz is going to become, but he looked comfortable enough to make you want to see more.

And for a rookie making his first NBA appearance, that’s about all you can ask for.

Aday Mara gave the Thunder something to think about

Mara was probably the most intriguing player on the floor.

The 7-foot-3 rookie got the start at center with Hartenstein and Holmgren sitting, giving him a chance to play real minutes against NBA competition and he took full advantage of it.

Mara finished the first half with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists while going 5-for-5 from the field. His numbers were impressive, but they weren’t the only reason he stood out.

There were moments when Mara looked surprisingly comfortable for a 19-year-old playing his first preseason game.

His size is obviously going to be his calling card, but the passing is what makes his potential particularly interesting. He showed that he can see the floor and make plays that aren’t necessarily expected from a player his size.

Then there was the defensive end.

Mara’s length gave New Orleans something to think about around the basket, and he showed some of the rim protection ability that made him an intriguing lottery pick.

The Thunder already have plenty of options in the frontcourt. Hartenstein and Holmgren are established pieces, while Jaylin Williams and Thomas Sorber are also part of the mix.

That’s why Mara isn’t being asked to come in and save anything. He’s being asked to develop.

But if Tuesday was any indication, he could make those frontcourt decisions a little more difficult for Mark Daigneault as the season goes along or beyond this season. 

The Thunder didn’t get the result they wanted Tuesday night, but preseason isn’t really about the result. It’s about finding out what you have.

McCain showed he can be aggressive with more responsibility. Stirtz showed he isn’t afraid of the NBA 3-point line. Mara showed why his combination of size, skill and passing ability could make him an interesting piece down the road.

With the Thunder’s biggest names expected to get back on the floor soon, those opportunities will become harder to find.

For one night, though, the young guys had the stage and they gave Oklahoma City plenty to talk about.