r/Thunder • u/NoiseRockEnjoyer • 3d ago

Discussion Do starters typically play in preseason games?

Title. Do they? Do any normal rotation players usually play? I've never caught the preseason (this will be my second full season watching the NBA, started during 2025 playoffs) so I'm not sure what to expect when they play on Tuesday.

4 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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19

u/oc0613 3d ago

I think Shai played in one last year and dropped like 14 in the 1st quarter lol

6

u/notoneofyall1017 Free Smoke Merchant 3d ago

I hope they don't tbh ...

6

u/wcooper97 2025 NBA Champions 2d ago

Same, shit Zai got hurt during preseason last year.

Better safe than sorry.

4

u/Dysentery--Gary 3d ago

Not last year. None of the starters even came along when we played the Hornets.

1

u/myjobistablesok ❤️❤️ 2d ago

starters played when they played the bucks in milwaukee.

2

u/Right_Strength_5272 3d ago

Generally yes but they will typically sit all the starters for one game, usually the game before the final game.

3

u/louie3723jr 3d ago

Hope Mara gets some confidence and we see sorber topic stirtz. Excited to see what sorber can do

1

u/xMleq 2d ago

Wasn't it being reported that both Sorber and Topic won't play in the preseason?

1

u/Defiant_Ad6083 2d ago

No. Limited in training camp.

If you assume, which I will, I'd say very limited spot minutes.

2

u/NotMarkDaigneault Belgian Waffle University 3d ago

Yes I go to every game even preseason.

If they play at home, generally first half or even first quarter will mostly be starters. Very rare to see them as the game progresses unless Mark is doing some whacky lineup.

Away games are a toss up and the Tulsa game probably not.

2

u/Defiant_Ad6083 2d ago

Most starters will play 17 to 20 minutes.

1

u/OKC_71 3d ago

Not on the road. For our home games they play like the first half and then sit.

1

u/myjobistablesok ❤️❤️ 2d ago

yes. at least when they played the bucks in the preseason last year starters were playing.

1

u/mrjerwin9811 2d ago

Haven’t followed Mark Daigneault’s preseasons but usually some amount of starters will play some amount of time in the first half.

1

u/CapRight8752 2d ago

yes but very limited minutes. I predict SGA will play like 15 minutes a game. the coaches typically focus on role and benches players the most, since they need to make final roster cuts

1

u/uco-b 1d ago

They maybe get a little time but won’t be much.