Thunder Bring Their Veterans Back as Bucks Visit for Preseason Test

Oklahoma City's rested core should give it the edge over Milwaukee on the second night of a back-to-back.

MIL @ OKC Oct 8, 2026 at 12:00 AM UTC

The Thunder's regulars sat out the preseason opener against the Pelicans, and Oklahoma City's plan was always for them to return against Milwaukee. Mark Daigneault put it plainly: "We're obviously on a back-to-back. So, they'll play the next night." That matters here. The Thunder get to show their established group together in a preseason game, and Milwaukee visits Oklahoma City with that rotation in front of it.

The bench is less settled. Thomas Sorber is questionable with a knee injury, Nikola Topic's status is uncertain, and both were out against New Orleans. Jaylin Williams is also dealing with a heel issue and has been listed as questionable. If those three miss time, the minutes behind the starters will go to players still fighting for roles, which is the point of the exercise. Daigneault said the team will get "a good look at Ajay and Jared, Kenrich," along with the rookies and two-ways.

Those reserves are working to fill the space left by the departures of Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe. The core remains largely intact, and Wallace is stepping into Dort's role. Expect the starters to set the tone early, then watch whether the replacements hold the level once the lineup turns over.

This is the second of five preseason games through Oct. 15, ahead of the Oct. 20 opener at San Antonio. Oklahoma City has little reason to chase a result, but its veterans' continuity should still show in the first half and in the cleaner stretches that follow. Depth and injuries may make the finish untidy, yet the Thunder should have enough to prevail.

Prediction: Thunder 118, Bucks 108.

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