OKC Thunder: Josh Giddey to start in Preseason debut

The OKC Thunder begins their 2021-22 campaign with their preseason opener against the Charlotte Hornets. We have given you a preview of the game including how to watch, as well as storylines to watch for in this game, now Mark Daigneault has given us his first starting lineup of the season as well as an injury report for the team.

The head ball coach spoke with those of us in the media before tonight’s game against the Hornets. The team returns to action, this time on the Paycom Center floor in front of fans for the first time since March 11th, 2020.

The Oklahoma City Thunder held their training camp this past week, which featured two-a-days, the Thunder are one of fourteen teams to hold such days. Others include the Lakers, Hawks, Cavs, Pistons, Heat, Bucks, Pelicans, Knicks, Magic, Suns, Blazers, Wizards, and Kings.

OKC Thunder injury report, starting lineup, for preseason game one

Mark Daigneault announced Derrick Favors will not play tonight due to his “return to play” plan. Rookie and interesting prospect Vit Krejci is also sidelined to do a visa issue. Theo Maledon dealt with this during his rookie season as did Gabriel Deck a year ago. Kenrich Williams is also out tonight but Daigneault cautioned it is nothing serious. Williams has a bruised toe, if this was a regular-season game, he likely would give it a go. Though with his veteran status and these games not counting, there is no reason to risk it.

The most important news that came from this pregame press conference, is the first starting lineup of the year. The OKC Thunder will start Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Josh Giddey, Darius Bazley, and Isaiah Roby.

This leaves Aleksej Pokusevski to run the second unit offensively, and a rookie Josh Giddey being thrown right into the action.

This does not seem like a one-time thing, from the vibe Mark Daigneault put out this evening, the most interesting debate comes at the center position. If I had to place money on predicting the regular-season first five in Utah on October 20th, I would include Josh Giddey.

Daigneault said Josh Giddey is picking things up quickly and showed great confidence in the rookie guard who was sidelined for most of the summer league.

The second-year head coach almost totally let the cat out of the bag when asked if this was going to be his starting lineup for the regular season he immediately pivoted to the five spot, it appears this is the three-guard lineup he wants.

This is great news for OKC Thunder fans, for this rebuild to pan out Josh Giddey not only has to be a very good basketball player but has to gel with your max contract point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Giddey has been open about what an adjustment it will be, saying he has never played with another guard before much less an NBA All-Star caliber guard. What better time than now to allow that pair to grow together?

While the team debated starting second-year forward Aleksej Pokusevski, this should also excite the fan base that Poku will be in charge of his own unit. Sure, it will result in a few bloopers, but overall will be great for his development into the hopeful unicorn that the organization wants him to be.