Oklahoma City Thunder vs Charlotte Hornets

On Saturday, October 4, 2025, the Oklahoma City Thunder will face the Charlotte Hornets in a preseason matchup at the North Charleston Coliseum in North Charleston, South Carolina, with tipoff scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET. This neutral-site clash is part of the NBA’s preseason schedule and gives both franchises a chance to experiment with rotations and evaluate depth ahead of the regular season. The matchup has generated local buzz as one of the few NBA exhibitions taking place outside major league markets, giving South Carolina basketball fans a rare live NBA experience.

As for player availability, both teams are entering the game with a few injury concerns. For Oklahoma City, Kenrich Williams remains sidelined with a knee issue and will not play. Jalen Williams is listed as a game-time decision as he continues his recovery from a minor ankle sprain, while rookie Thomas Sorber is out for the season following foot surgery. On the Charlotte side, Grant Williams and Josh Green are both day-to-day with minor ailments but traveled with the team. The Hornets have confirmed that Sion James and Liam McNeeley have been cleared for action after previously being listed with hip and Achilles concerns, respectively. With the game being part of the preseason, both coaches are expected to use deep rotations and give significant minutes to bench and developmental players.

From a tactical standpoint, Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault is expected to focus on conditioning, spacing, and testing secondary lineups around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren. Oklahoma City’s preseason plan includes giving more playmaking responsibility to young guard Nikola Topic, who has impressed in training camp with his court vision and composure. On the other bench, Hornets coach Charles Lee will emphasize defensive organization and interior rebounding, particularly since Charlotte struggled last season in second-chance points. The Hornets may also look to slow the pace and use a structured half-court offense to evaluate how their frontcourt pieces operate together.

Media coverage ahead of the game has highlighted how Oklahoma City’s young core continues to mature into a potential Western Conference contender. Analysts and local outlets have focused on how the Thunder’s continuity could help them start the new season strongly despite early injuries. Charlotte’s pregame coverage, meanwhile, has centered on the team’s rebuild under a new system and the opportunity for younger players to make an impression. Press commentary has noted that the Hornets’ performance in preseason matchups like this could provide insight into their defensive identity and lineup flexibility.

In studio discussions before tipoff, analysts from ESPN and NBA TV have described the contest as an ideal platform for both teams to evaluate their depth and chemistry. Commentators have pointed out that the Thunder’s versatility makes them a difficult preseason opponent, while the Hornets’ focus will likely be on effort and execution rather than results. The main talking points revolve around Nikola Topic’s integration into the Thunder’s system and how Charlotte’s developing players respond to NBA-level defensive pressure. Studio consensus suggests that while the outcome is secondary, this game offers valuable insight into both teams’ readiness and player development heading into the 2025–26 season.