OKLAHOMA CITY — After an impressive NBA on the first leg of a back-to-back, Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Aday Mara finished with 22 points on a perfect 10-for-10 shooting against the Milwaukee Bucks. Mara continues to impress head coach Mark Daigneault, who pinpointed what stood out most in a 128-126 loss to the Bucks on Wednesday.

After Jaylin Williams said Mara has All-Defensive Team potential amid training camp, it was Mara's offense that led the Thunder in scoring against the Bucks, which stood out most for Daigneault, watching his team adapt to the 12th overall pick in this year's draft.

“It's just interesting to see how the guys have responded to him. They've learned that he outlets the ball deep. So, they're getting up the floor on outlets. They're looking for him on rolls,” Daigneault said. “They understand the gravity of somebody that size that has the hands he does.

“And even when they throw the ball to him in the post, it's just not a lot of rookie things that, without prompting, veteran players are throwing the ball into. That's a sign of trust. None of those things are things we've talked about specific to him, and yet, the guys are recognizing that. It's encouraging.”

Thunder center Aday Mara's only miss came at the free-throw line, where he finished 2-of-3, against the Bucks. He also added six rebounds, two assists, and one block in 22 minutes, starting alongside All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, and Alex Caruso.

The Thunder's other first-round pick, Bennett Stritz, led the bench with 20 points on 6-for-11 attempts, including 3-for-6 from deep, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal. For two rookies playing in their first preseason games, Daigneault was blown away by how Mara and Stritz approached things.

“This is their first back-to-back, probably in their lives, at least, with short possessions, and long games. So, I thought they handled it pretty well — it’s a quick turnaround,” Daigneault added. “Bennett went out with the ankle thing last night, so he had to get some recovery in. That’s professional effort to get yourself ready to play in the second night, and to give the same type of effort physically, mentally; that was encouraging.”

Mark Daigneault on Thunder rookies Aday Mara & Bennett Stirtz’s impressive preseason performances: “This is their first back-to-back, probably in their lives…

So, I thought they handled it pretty well — it’s a quick turnaround. Bennett went out with the ankle thing last… pic.twitter.com/B3tKdXxBfY

— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) October 8, 2026

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Stirtz, who was selected 16th overall, via the Memphis Grizzlies, has also found his footing early amidst the Thunder's preseason. Coming off of his 15-point performance in a starting spot against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday, Stirtz picked up right where he left off in his debut at the Paycom Center.

“He's incredibly mature and professional, and well beyond his years. He's very serious,” Daigneault said. “He really thinks the game. Understands the game. So, he has a presence to him because of that. He's an adult. So, that's going to serve him well. Professionalism is kind of an underrated quality that you need to have to be a good/professional basketball player, and he's got it. He's walking in the door with it.”

Daigneault and the Thunder will take the next five days off before their first road game of the preseason against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.