Oklahoma City Thunder center Aday Mara (15) after scoring against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of a preseason game at Paycom Center.
Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images.
Oklahoma City Thunder rookie center Aday Mara delivered an impressive sequence against San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama during Tuesday night's season opener at Frost Bank Center.
Mara blocked Wembanyama at the rim before sprinting down the floor and finishing an alley-oop dunk off a pass from Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell.
The sequence unfolded midway through the third quarter, with Oklahoma City holding an 82-70 advantage entering the play. Mara denied the Spurs star near the basket with approximately 4:22 remaining before completing the transition dunk roughly nine seconds later.
ClutchPoints shared footage of the sequence on X, formerly Twitter, showcasing the rookie's defensive stop and immediate offensive contribution against one of the NBA's premier shot-blockers.
Aday Mara MEETS Victor Wembanyama at the rim before running the floor for the slam 😤 pic.twitter.com/9M8KxEXC22
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 21, 2026
Mara entered his first NBA season after the Thunder selected him with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft following his collegiate career at Michigan.
The 7-foot-3 center helped the Wolverines capture the 2026 national championship while earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors.
During his final college season, Mara averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks, establishing himself as one of the nation's top interior defenders.
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His ability to protect the rim played a significant role in the Thunder's decision to add him to their frontcourt.
Tuesday's sequence showcased those defensive skills against Wembanyama, while his connection with Mitchell demonstrated his effectiveness finishing in transition.
The Thunder tipped off the 2026 season with established frontcourt contributors Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren, giving Mara experienced teammates as he begins his NBA career.
Mara's block and subsequent alley-oop slam provided a highlight of Oklahoma City's season opener against the Spurs on Tuesday night, with the Thunder leading 102-94 with 5:25 remaining in the fourth quarter.