Charlotte Hornets at Oklahoma City Thunder
Matchup preview
Last season: too early in this one to read much from it
Matchup odds
No moneylines yet.
Who wins?
Season leaders, per game
OKC
CHA20.2PointsOKC31.1
CHA8.7ReboundsOKC9.4
- CHA5.3AssistsOKC6.6

CHA1.4StealsOKC1.9
CHA1.5BlocksOKC1.9
| CHA | Stat | OKC |
|---|---|---|
| 44–38 | Record | 64–18 |
| Offense | ||
| 4.9, 8th in the league | Net rating | 1st in the league, 10.9(better) |
| 116.6, 7th in the league | Offensive rating | 6th in the league, 116.8(better) |
| 99.1, 24th in the league | Pace | 19th in the league, 101.0 |
| 55.2, 12th in the league | eFG% | 5th in the league, 56.1(better) |
| 12.8, 24th in the league | TOV% | 2nd in the league, 10.8(better) |
| 30.5(better), 4th in the league | OREB% | 28th in the league, 22.3 |
| 0.244, 23rd in the league | FT rate | 17th in the league, 0.261(better) |
| Defense | ||
| 111.7, 10th in the league | Defensive rating | 1st in the league, 105.8(better) |
| 54.0, 7th in the league | Opp. eFG% | 2nd in the league, 51.9(better) |
| 11.2, 23rd in the league | Opp. TOV% | 2nd in the league, 14.0(better) |
| 76.6(better), 3rd in the league | DREB% | 12th in the league, 74.4 |
| 0.232(better), 2nd in the league | Opp. FT rate | 10th in the league, 0.248 |
This season's meetings
They have not met this season.
Injury report
Charlotte Hornets
- Brandon MillerQuestionable· back Oct 1Cost -3.0 per 100
Report note
With Miller coming off May surgery to address left shoulder instability, any rehab update is notable as Charlotte prepares for training camp. "It's going good, going good," Miller said. "I'm getting stronger. That's all I can ask for. The stronger I get, the more mobile I am with the shoulder and that is the most important thing." He wasn't ready to commit to a timetable, and he's still awaiting full clearance for basketball activities with training camp a little over a month away.
- Kon KnueppelQuestionable· back Oct 21Cost -2.9 per 100
Report note
The Hornets say that Knueppel will be re-evaluated during the first week of the regular season, putting his status for Opening Night on Oct. 21 in jeopardy. Knueppel is coming off a dominant rookie campaign with regular-season averages of 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists on 47.5 percent shooting from the field.
- Grant WilliamsQuestionable· back Oct 21Cost -1.5 per 100
Report note
Williams will be re-evaluated the first week of the regular season, putting his status for Opening Night in the air. Williams will have a difficult path to minutes this season as he competes with the likes of Naz Reid, Royce O'Neale and Tidjane Salaun.
- PJ HallQuestionable· back Oct 1
Report note
Hall sustained the injury in the G League Greensboro Swarm's playoff win over the Maine Celtics on March 31. The big man appeared in 19 regular-season games (two starts) with Charlotte, averaging 4.5 points and 3.9 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per contest. He's signed to a two-way deal with the Hornets and is slated to return next season.
- Rob DillinghamProbable· back Oct 1
Report note
Dillingham, the 2024 No. 8 overall pick, has appeared in 114 regular-season games for the Timberwolves and Bulls throughout his career, averaging 5.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 13.0 minutes per contest. It's unknown what kind of role he will have in Charlotte, though it may not be a meaningful one, considering the Hornets have plenty of backcourt depth. Dillingham had minor surgery in April to remove a ganglion cyst but is expected to be ready to go to begin the 2026-27 campaign.
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Ajay MitchellProbable· back Oct 1Cost -2.8 per 100
Report note
Mitchell appears to be a candidate for an expanded role in Oklahoma City's rotation after showing promise in a limited capacity last season. The team lost Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins and Luguentz Dort this offseason, making Mitchell an obvious player to watch ahead of fantasy drafts. His exact place in the rotation will become clearer during training camp and the preseason.
- Isaiah HartensteinProbable· back Oct 1Cost -2.5 per 100
Report note
Hartenstein sat out FIBA qualifiers with Germany to nurse an ankle injury he sustained earlier this summer, so it's encouraging to see him back on the court ahead of training camp in the fall. The 28-year-old big man appears to be firmly on track for the start of the regular season in October, barring any setbacks along the way.
- Nikola TopicQuestionable· back Oct 1
Report note
General manager Sam Presti announced the restriction Thursday, and Topic is currently dealing with a back issue stemming from offseason surgery. The 21-year-old guard's participation level will be worth monitoring throughout camp as Oklahoma City prepares for the preseason.
- Thomas SorberQuestionable
Report note
Knee
- Otega OwehQuestionable
Report note
Lower Leg
| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | Last 5 | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31.4 | 18.5 | 5.3 | 3.4 | 13.6 / 4.6 / 3.6 | 2.2 | |
| 30.3 | 20.2 | 4.9 | 3.3 | 18.0 / 3.6 / 2.0 | 2.6 | |
| 28.8 | 16.5 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 9.0 / 3.4 / 1.4 | 1.2 | |
| 28.3 | 9.8 | 4.8 | 2.7 | 6.8 / 3.4 / 1.2 | -2.1 | |
| 26.0 | 13.6 | 6.2 | 2.2 | 13.8 / 5.4 / 1.6 | 1.3 |
| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | Last 5 | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33.3 | 31.1 | 4.3 | 6.6 | 28.0 / 3.6 / 7.2 | 8.0 | |
| 28.9 | 17.1 | 8.9 | 1.7 | 17.2 / 8.8 / 1.4 | 5.7 | |
| 28.4 | 17.1 | 4.6 | 5.5 | 16.6 / 4.8 / 6.2 | 1.8 | |
| 26.6 | 8.6 | 3.1 | 2.6 | 8.2 / 2.8 / 1.6 | 2.5 | |
| 25.8 | 13.6 | 3.3 | 3.6 | 9.4 / 2.0 / 3.4 | 3.1 |
Last five games
| Date | Opponent | Result | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17 | Lost 90–121 | – | – | |
| Apr 14 | Won 127–126 | – | – | |
| Apr 12 | Won 110–96 | – | – | |
| Apr 10 | Lost 100–118 | – | – | |
| Apr 7 | Lost 102–113 | – | – |
| Date | Opponent | Result | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 30 | Lost 103–111 | – | – | |
| May 28 | Lost 91–118 | – | – | |
| May 26 | Won 127–114 | – | – | |
| May 24 | Lost 82–103 | – | – | |
| May 22 | Won 123–108 | – | – |
Standings
Full standingsMatchups by position
What each defense allows per game to guards, forwards and centers, against the league average. Rank 1 allows the most.
| Player | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guards | 47.2 (lg 49.8) , 26th in the league | 14.0 (lg 13.6) , 10th in the league | 13.0 (lg 14.2) , 26th in the league |
| Forwards | 34.6 (lg 37.4) , 27th in the league | 16.4 (lg 15.3) , 6th in the league | 6.7 (lg 7.0) , 21st in the league |
| Centers | 10.1 (lg 10.7) , 18th in the league | 7.7 (lg 7.5) , 11th in the league | 1.8 (lg 1.9) , 16th in the league |
| Player | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guards | 47.5 (lg 49.8) , 25th in the league | 13.0 (lg 13.6) , 23rd in the league | 14.3 (lg 14.2) , 15th in the league |
| Forwards | 36.7 (lg 37.4) , 16th in the league | 13.6 (lg 15.3) , 29th in the league | 6.6 (lg 7.0) , 24th in the league |
| Centers | 10.0 (lg 10.7) , 21st in the league | 6.2 (lg 7.5) , 29th in the league | 1.8 (lg 1.9) , 17th in the league |
The box score appears at tip-off.