The Oklahoma City Thunder’s first preseason game of the 2026-27 campaign gave their younger players a real stage, and Brooks Barnhizer made the most of it.
With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and other regulars sitting out Tuesday’s 116-110 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City leaned on its depth in an opener that arrived after a busy offseason. The Thunder added two more first-round picks and moved multiple rotation players in trades, then rolled out a lineup heavy on developing talent to begin preseason play on Oct. 6.
Rookie guard Bennett Stirtz led the way with a game-high 15 points in his first preseason action. 2026 lottery pick Aday Mara also turned in a solid showing, and rookie two-way signee Josh Dix added to the group’s strong night.
Barnhizer, a second-year wing and fellow two-way player, was right there with them. He finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists, a block and two turnovers, while shooting 4-of-5 from the field, 1-of-1 from 3-point range and 3-of-5 from the free throw line.
That kind of line matters for Barnhizer because the shot has been the question. In college and as a rookie, inconsistency as a shooter stood out as one of the 24-year-old’s biggest issues. If the 6-foot-5 forward has started to settle in from the perimeter, he could carve out real value for Oklahoma City.
The Thunder already know what he brings elsewhere. Barnhizer is a strong rebounder and a solid defender, and if he can become a credible shooter too, his path to contributing gets much clearer.
As a rookie, Barnhizer averaged 1.7 points and two rebounds while shooting 38% from the field in 8.7 minutes per game across 40 NBA appearances. He also spent 11 regular season games with the Oklahoma City Blue, where he averaged 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.
One preseason outing does not erase the concerns, but it does give Oklahoma City something to work with. Especially after those G League shooting numbers, Barnhizer’s performance offered a reason for the Thunder to be encouraged about his chances of becoming a shooter good enough to stay on the floor.
The Thunder took Barnhizer with the No. 44 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft after the former Northwestern standout posted 17.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game as a senior with the Wildcats.
Oklahoma City is back on the floor Wednesday, Oct. 7, against Milwaukee in Oklahoma City for its second preseason game.
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