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Oklahoma City Thunder take on Pistons in fifth preseason game

By Rylan Stiles

Josh Giddey #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter against the Adelaide 36ers at Paycom Center on October 06, 2022 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
Josh Giddey #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter against the Adelaide 36ers at Paycom Center on October 06, 2022 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) /
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The Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Detroit Pistons in their fifth preseason game, just their second true road trip of the slate though before their preseason schedule wraps up on Thursday in San Antonio. The OKC Thunder come into this contest 3-1 after taking care of two international foes on Thursday and Sunday in the Paycom Center.

These final tune-ups before the regular season tip-off on October 19th should serve as dress rehearsals for the Oklahoma City Thunder, where we see more of Mark Daigneault’s “normal” rotation.

Granted, the OKC Thunder will not stick to a set-in-stone rotation or even starting lineup this season, it will change game-to-back, but this should give us a glimpse of the basic shell of the rotation with minor tweaks match up to match up.

Josh Giddey takes on Cade Cunningham as the Oklahoma City Thunder roll into their fifth preseason game

On Sunday against Maccabi, the injury report was as long as a CVS receipt. Chet Holmgren is out for the season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to rehab a grade 2 MCL sprain, Kenrich Williams is monitoring a groin injury, and Mark Daigneault has already ruled Mike Muscala out for the preseason. Factor in Josh Giddey, Tre Mann, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, and Darius Bazley getting rest days, while Trey Burke and Marquese Chriss are not with the team.

The Thunder will be closer to full strength tonight against the Pistons, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is progressing encouragingly and signs point to him being ready for the season opener, I do not think he will play tonight despite him traveling with the team. Other than him, Muscala, and maybe Kenrich Williams, everyone else should be ready to roll on Tuesday evening.

That allows the stars to align for two of the best young playmakers in Cade Cunningham and Josh Giddey to face off with each other to grab some preseason excitement.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will stream this game for free on their mobile app and team website when it tips off at 6 p.m. central time.

Projecting Oklahoma City's roster ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season. dark. Next

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