OKC Thunder preseason schedule features dates versus former coach

The NBA released the tentative preseason schedule today with the OKC Thunder facing a familiar foe.

The precise OKC Thunder training camp start date is seemingly set for December 1st or potentially shortly thereafter for some players who won’t be through quarantine yet.

Thunderous Intentions will keep you in the loop as we learn more given there will be numerous new faces in camp this season and several cuts to be made.

That is unless Sam Presti trims the roster greatly prior to camp beginning as they are well over the 15 players and two 2-way contracts currently. Undoubtedly, he’s still shopping the contracts of George Hill and Trevor Ariza while many of the players included as part of the Steven Adams package could be waived even before camp.

Media day is sure to offer up some exciting news as we’ll meet players who may never suit up this season with the club and others who the fan base is just discovering.

OKC Thunder three preseason game details

The preseason games will offer up a semblance of what can be expected this coming season from new head coach Mark Daigneault.

It appears all teams will play three preseason games as the NBA tries to run a truncated preseason following training camp. The latter is expected to start in the first week of December and the first preseason games will occur on Friday, December 11th.

The OKC Thunder first game is their only road game. They’ll face the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, December 12th at 6:00 p.m. Central time (7:00 p.m. EST).

Two home games follow with former OKC Thunder head coach Billy Donovan and his new squad the Bulls in town. That game is on Wednesday, December 16th at 7:00 p.m. Central time (8:00 EST).

The last of the series is also in OKC (hmmm – did someone intimate Billy Donovan left OKC on bad terms?). This match takes place on  Friday, December 18th at 7:00 p.m. Central Time (8:00 p.m. EST).
For those who want to peruse the entire preseason schedule for all 30 teams, Shams Charania provided the list on Twitter. There are some early compelling games, although that might not be at 6the case depending on whether teams load manage. For example, the Clippers and Lakers are set to play in Staples on December 11th at 10 p.m. but will either side suit up their stars?

The top three rookies will also be in action early and there will be some other exiting matchups:

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• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Saturday, December 12th:

• Kyle Lowry “Tampa Bay” Raptors vs LaMelo Ball (Hornets) debut at 7:00 pm EST
• Ja Morant (Grizzlies) versus Anthony Edwards (Wolves) debut at 8:00 pm EST
• Luka Doncic (Mavericks) versus Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks) at 8:00 pm EST
• Jamal Murray/Nikola Jokic (Nuggets) vs. Stephen Curry and James Wiseman debut (Warriors) at 8:30 pm EST

Sunday, December 13th:

• John Wall (Wizards) vs Kevin Durant (Nets debut) at 6:00 pm EST. Both players returning from Achilles injuries that kept them out all last season.
• Another Staples Center matchup between Clippers and Lakers at 9:30 pm EST

Monday, December 14th:  

• Zion Williamson (Pelicans) vs. Jimmy Butler/Bam Adebayo (Heat) at 7:00 p.m. EST

Tuesday, December 15th:

• First look at Jayson Tatum (Celtics) vs. Joel Embiid (76ers)

Something of note is several of the teams who missed the bubble games requested four preseason games while some teams are playing twice. Oddly, the Pelicans only play twice while equally odd, the defending champs play four times.