Thunder drop 106-89 in a preseason tilt as their top stars sat, turning the spotlight toward a developing depth chart and Cooper Flagg’s anticipated Mavericks debut. The Thunder’s offense looked rudderless early, with a 31% clip and too little primary ball-handling, but Jaylin Williams popped as the standout in the group with a clean outside stroke and steady floor presence. Oklahoma City also leaned on the energy of Brooks Barnhizer and the steadiness of Ousmane Dieng, while Cason Wallace endured a rough shooting night in the lead-guard role.

Dallas leaned on its emerging depth, letting Flagg and Anthony Davis headline a front-row of rotation pieces who produced behind a strong free-throw surge and efficient scoring from the bench. PJ Washington, Jaden Hardy and Max Christie each hit double figures, and Dereck Lively II anchored the paint in bursts. Overall, the result mattered less than the evaluation of roles, minutes, and potential fantasy-paths as both teams sharpen for Opening Night.

Flagg’s 10-point burst and Davis’ quiet 7 and 7 provided a glimpse into how Dallas plans to balance a cached veteran with a rising cohort. For fantasy, Williams’ outside shot, Dieng’s versatility, Barnhizer’s motor, and the Thunder’s unsettled backcourt figure as early indicators of who could carve out safe nightly roles during the regular season, even as the box score tells a preseason story.

Jaylin Williams burst onto the scene as a pivotal piece for Oklahoma City, turning limited minutes into steady production and a recognizable playoff inductor. He posted 5.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game while shooting near 40% from three and around 60% true shooting. His 17 minutes a night became the battleground where he turned opportunity into reliability, especially on DHO actions and off-ball shooting. A long-term extension signals the Thunder’s belief in his upside, and his versatility lets OKC threaten with multiple frontcourt looks. The growth was enough to earn a role-preserving grade and a forecasted path toward a larger, more durable bench presence.

Statistically, Williams showed career highs across several categories as injuries forced him into rotation duty, proving he can handle playmaking duties when needed. His shooting volume helped stretch defenses, and his ability to hit catch-and-shoot threes kept him afloat in a lineup built on depth. The Thunder’s defensive scheme can mask some of his defensive gaps, while his upbeat leadership and locker-room impact contributed to the cohesion that carried OKC through a championship run. Moving forward, Williams should replicate a steady rotation role, with a chance at more minutes if he elevates efficiency and decision-making. The contract extension highlights belief in a future as a reliable long-term piece, potentially stepping into a larger backup center role if opportunities arise.