Aday Mara debuted for the Oklahoma City Thunder during a 110-116 pre-season loss to the New Orleans Pelicans at the BOK Center in Tulsa, showcasing the physical measurements that made him the number 12 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, according to MARCA.
Spanish Center Debuts in Tulsa With Historical Reach
Standing 2.21 meters tall with an official wingspan of 2.29 meters and a historical reach of 2.97 meters, Mara played 18 minutes as a starter in his first appearance for Oklahoma City. MARCA reported that the young center nearly recorded a double-double while shooting a perfect 100 percent from the field.
Mara finished the contest with 12 points, shooting 5-of-5 on field goals and 2-of-2 from the free-throw line. He added nine rebounds, three assists, and three blocks, leading the team in rebounding and finishing as Oklahoma City’s second-leading scorer on the night.
Mark Daigneault Rests Star Players as Bench Roster Competes
Head coach Mark Daigneault operated without several key members of the rotation during the pre-season matchup. Regular starters Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams did not play for the Thunder, leaving room for younger prospects and new additions to log heavy minutes against New Orleans.
Bennett Stirtz led Oklahoma City in scoring with 15 points. Jared McCain and Brooks Barnhizer each contributed 12 points, while Ajay Mitchell and Josh Dix added 11 points apiece to round out a balanced scoring effort that kept the Thunder competitive throughout regulation.
New Orleans Pelicans Secure Six-Point Pre-Season Victory
The Pelicans held off the Thunder down the stretch to claim the 116-110 win in Oklahoma City’s pre-season opener. Bennedict Mathurin paced New Orleans with 13 points.
Jeremiah Fears chipped in 12 points for the visitors, while Trey Murphy III and Zion Williamson each added 11 points to secure the win on neutral hardwood in Tulsa.
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