The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Milwaukee Bucks at the Paycom Center on Wednesday, bringing their regular rotational players back to the hardwood after sitting out the preseason opener. Oklahoma City began its five-game preseason schedule on Tuesday in Tulsa against the New Orleans Pelicans without the majority of its primary roster, si.com reported.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Tests Off-Ball Role in Preseason
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spent the offseason working out away from the basketball for Team Canada and refining his personal summer training to incorporate a different aspect of his game. That shift could translate to the NBA level and provide the Thunder offense with a new dynamic.
“Every season, and every off-season, I use it to try to find ways to become a more well-rounded basketball player,” Gilgeous-Alexander explained at Media Day, as reported by sports.yahoo.com. “And that was just an area of the game where I felt like I could be a better basketball player. And some summers, it’s defense; some summers, it’s off-the-dribble shooting; some summers, it’s posting up.”
Playing alongside Jalen Williams in the starting lineup alongside guard Cason Wallace on the ball, the matchup against Milwaukee offers a low-stakes opportunity to evaluate whether Gilgeous-Alexander will actually play an off-the-ball role and attack off the catch this season.
Jalen Williams Returns From Injury-Riddled Campaign
Wing Jalen Williams returns to the hardwood for the start of the 2026-27 campaign following a frustrating, injury-plagued 2025-26 season. The All-NBA player will face close observation regarding his physical movement on the court. Sports.yahoo.com notes that even within a limited sample size of a half of a preseason game, Williams is positioned to demonstrate that he remains among the top 25 players globally.
Chet Holmgren Adjusts Jump Shot and Offensive Aggressiveness
Chet Holmgren earned an All-NBA selection last regular season and helped the Thunder sweep the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers through the first two rounds of the playoffs. However, the Gonzaga product struggled against the San Antonio Spurs due to difficulties shooting over smaller closeouts when opponents cross-matched to keep their big men at the rim.
The Wednesday contest against Milwaukee provides the first look at whether Holmgren’s jump shot is higher, quicker, and smoother. Observers will track whether he displays new scoring moves or demonstrates increased aggressiveness rolling to the rim rather than relying on popping out of screens.
Precautionary Notes for Wednesday Night Matchup
- Game Date: Wednesday night following the Tuesday opener in Tulsa.
- Venue: Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
- Opponent: Milwaukee Bucks.
- Roster Status: Regular rotational players in street clothes during Tuesday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans are expected to return to action, according to sports.yahoo.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Thunder Preseason
When did the Thunder start their preseason schedule?
The Thunder opened their five-game preseason slate on Tuesday in Tulsa against the New Orleans Pelicans, playing without most of their regular rotational players, according to si.com.
Which team does Oklahoma City face on Wednesday?
Oklahoma City hosts the Milwaukee Bucks at the Paycom Center on Wednesday for their second preseason contest.
What postseason success did Chet Holmgren help achieve last year?
Holmgren earned an All-NBA regular-season selection and helped lift the Thunder past the first two rounds of the playoffs with sweeps over the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers, sports.yahoo.com reported.
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