The Charlotte Hornets face the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight in a 2025 preseason matchup at Paycom Center — their second in less than a week.
Charlotte is working to build consistency around its young core, while Oklahoma City — fresh off a deep championship run — looks to refine its rotation and test its next-tier contributors.
The Hornets enter on thin footing. LaMelo Ball is expected to play, but his minutes will be carefully managed as he continues his gradual return from injury. Grant Williams (knee) and Josh Green (shoulder) remain questionable, while Brandon Miller’s progress following offseason wrist surgery continues to be monitored.
Oklahoma City, meanwhile, will likely continue easing in its core players. Chet Holmgren (ankle) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could see limited minutes, while Jalen Williams remains out recovering from wrist surgery.
Nikola Topić is sidelined through early November following a medical procedure, and Kenrich Williams will miss extended time after undergoing knee arthroscopy.
In their absence, players like Jaylin Williams, Cason Wallace, Ousmane Dieng, Aaron Wiggins, and Chris Youngblood have seen expanded minutes — and Youngblood’s shooting and defense have turned heads in camp.
The Thunder bench has shown solid cohesion, and Jaylin Williams’ improved outside shooting (5-of-8 from three in a recent preseason win over Charlotte) highlights their growing offensive depth. Holmgren’s evolving offensive game — including more catch-and-shoot and face-up opportunities — remains one of the Thunder’s key preseason developments.
How to Watch Hornets vs. Thunder
Tip-off for tonight’s Hornets vs. Thunder game is set for 8:00 PM Eastern / 7:00 PM Central at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
The game airs locally on FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma and FanDuel Sports Network Southeast.
Out-of-market viewers can stream the matchup on NBA League Pass, available for $16.99/month or $109.99 for the full season when purchased directly from the NBA website.
Amazon Prime Video offers some discounts as well as ways to watch for free here. League Pass subscriptions start at $12.74 for the first two months on Amazon (then $16.99/month) — and that includes NBA TV.
Fans can also choose a Team Pass to follow one team’s games for $13.99 per month — or watch tonight’s game free with a 7-day trial.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
Time: 8:00 PM Eastern / 7:00 PM Central
Venue: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma, FanDuel Sports Network Southeast
Streaming: NBA League Pass (out-of-market)