Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s honest assessment on Thunder rookies

OKLAHOMA CITY — Amid devastating injuries to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s core, All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sees hope in his rookies, Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz. Thunder’s Gilgeous-Alexander led with two 40+ point performances in Oklahoma City’s impressive wins against the Cleveland Cavs this week, sweeping their season series, 2-0. However, his supporting cast kept the Cavs at bay in a 124-116 wire-to-wire victory at the Paycom Center.

Mara, in his first NBA career start, set the tone on both ends of the floor. He created defensive stops at the rim, including a block on Cavs All-Star Evan Mobley, and finished strong in the paint offensively, finding teammates for clean looks that kept the Thunder offense flowing against a frustrated Cavs defense. Mara finished with nine points, five rebounds, three blocks, and two assists.

At the same time, his fellow first-round pick, Stirtz, a sparkplug off the Thunder’s bench, found his 3-point touch early and often. He drained 4-of-7 from 3-point range against the Cavs, led the second unit with 16 points on one end of the floor, and was also a thorn in the Cavs’ offense with two steals. For a Thunder team in dire need of guys to step up, their rookies have exceeded expectations in only their second week of their respective NBA careers.

Mara and Stirtz’s contributions were a topic of discussion for Gilgeous-Alexander during his postgame media availability.

“They’re getting better with every experience, and that’s what the whole 82-game season is about,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “No matter what circumstances you’re thrown in, the ability to use the circumstances you’re in to get better and improve from it is all you can ask for as a competitor. And those guys have had a great mindset, and they’ve done so. They’re showing their improvement pretty [fast]. It’s impressive.”

Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander highlighted Bennett Stirtz’s maturity as part of how he’s adapted so seamlessly to the NBA.

“He’s very mature. Ben has a really good head on his shoulders,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Feels like he’s almost my age out there, and off the court as well. He’s pretty mature for his age. Smart kid. I’m not surprised by his ability to adapt and play in the circumstances. He knows what it takes, putting the work in, and he’s reaping the rewards.”

Oklahoma City has set a standard over the years—one that enforces fundamental principles in a structured format for a group of developing players through a rebuild spearheaded by head coach Mark Daigneault and Gilgeous-Alexander. Winning a championship in 2025, the Thunder reached the promised land for the first time in franchise history, which legitimized a Thunder culture that left a lasting impression.

“It’s mainly the guys. We’re never going to take credit for the work they’re doing,” Daigneault said. “It takes incredible work and commitment for them to do that. We just try to direct their attention on to the things that help the team win. We prioritize fundamentals with everybody, from our veteran guys to the new guys. If you’re fundamentally sound, you can go in the game.

“So, that’s where we start with them, and to their credit, they’re competitors, and they’re team guys, and they’re committed to those things. They’re not perfect, but they’re improving rapidly at those things, and it’s made them functional for us.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander combined for 85 points in the Thunder’s pair of wins against the Cavs, including 32 in the second half. Filling in as the second-leading scorer, Ajay Mitchell finished with 23 points in Wednesday’s win, as the Thunder’s supporting cast hasn’t backed down from the all-hands-on-deck approach.

“It’s just next-man-up mentality,” Stirtz said after scoring a season-high 16 points. “I had no idea this was going to happen to start the season. So, I’m just ready when my name’s called.”