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Thunder Kick Off Preseason as Defending Champs, Ten Players Out

10/6/2025

38 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Oklahoma City Thunder open their preseason against the Charlotte Hornets on October 5 at 4 p.m. CT in North Charleston, South Carolina.
Ten players will be out, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, due to rest and injuries.
This game marks the Thunder's first as defending NBA champions, starting their six-game preseason with back-to-back dates.

History

Historical Context

The Oklahoma City Thunder's preseason opener on October 5, 2023, follows their 2022 NBA Championship victory, where they achieved a franchise-record 58 wins. Currently, ten players are sidelined, highlighting the ongoing challenges of maintaining depth in professional sports. This situation emphasizes the critical role of player health and management in sustaining championship performance across seasons.

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Story summary

The Oklahoma City Thunder open their preseason against the Charlotte Hornets on October 5 at 4 p.m. CT in North Charleston, South Carolina.
Ten players will be out, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, due to rest and injuries.
This game marks the Thunder's first as defending NBA champions, starting their six-game preseason with back-to-back dates.

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