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The Oklahoma City Thunder kicked off their 2026-27 preseason on Tuesday, October 6, with a 116-110 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. With several key rotation players sidelined, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Chet Holmgren, and Isaiah Hartenstein, the team's younger players had a chance to showcase their skills.
Rookie guard Bennett Stirtz led the way with a game-high 15 points, while 2026 lottery pick Aday Mara and rookie two-way signee Josh Dix also turned in solid performances. However, second-year wing Brooks Barnhizer, another two-way player, delivered a particularly encouraging outing: 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists, one block, and two turnovers on 4-of-5 shooting from the field, 1-of-1 from three, and 3-of-5 from the free-throw line.
Barnhizer, 24, struggled with shooting consistency in college and as a rookie, but if he has turned a corner, he could become a valuable asset for OKC. Already a strong rebounder and solid defender, the 6-foot-5 forward would likely earn rotation minutes if his shot continues to improve.
In his rookie NBA season, Barnhizer averaged 1.7 points and 2.0 rebounds while shooting 38% from the field in 8.7 minutes per game over 40 appearances. He also played 11 regular-season games with the Oklahoma City Blue, where he put up 18.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 58.5% from the field and 61.9% from beyond the arc on 1.9 attempts per game in the G League.
While one preseason game isn't enough to declare his shooting woes solved, his G League splits from last season provide reason for optimism. The Thunder selected Barnhizer with the No. 44 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft after he averaged 17.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game as a senior at Northwestern.
Oklahoma City returns to action on Wednesday, October 7, against the Milwaukee Bucks in their second preseason game.