Aday Mara unleashes madness in Oklahoma with a historic double-double

Aday Mara continues to make giant strides in the NBA. The Spanish center recorded his first double-double in the world's best league with 11 points and 10 rebounds in the Oklahoma City Thunder's victory over the Phoenix Suns (125-114). This performance holds special significance: the Aragonese achieved this mark in his fourth professional game, earlier than Pau Gasol, who had to wait until his sixth game with the Memphis Grizzlies to reach double digits in points and rebounds.

The 21-year-old player took advantage of the opportunity provided by Mark Daigneault to demonstrate that he can contribute much more than just height and physical presence. Mara completed his performance with two assists and two blocks in 19 minutes and 49 seconds, with an impressive 4 of 6 shooting from the field and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line. An efficient and complete performance that confirms the good feelings he had left during the preseason.

Aday Mara records a historic double-double before Pau Gasol

Mara's first double-double marks a new milestone for Spanish basketball. The Thunder's center only needed four games to reach ten points and ten rebounds in a single game, two fewer than Gasol required when he started his NBA career in 2001.

The performance also came at an important moment for Oklahoma City. The reigning champions faced the match with several absences, including Chet Holmgren, a missing player that opened the door for Mara to get more minutes. The Spaniard responded with a solid performance on both ends of the court and helped his team maintain their perfect winning record.

Beyond the numbers, his ability to capitalize on opportunities near the basket stood out. Mara scored points through roll-offs after screens, transition plays, and offensive rebounds, in addition to helping protect the paint with two blocks. His presence also allowed the Thunder to create space for his teammates and provide a different inside option.

The 125-114 victory confirmed Oklahoma City's great start to the season, which remains undefeated with a record of 4-0. Ajay Mitchell led the team with 30 points, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander contributed 26. Isaiah Hartenstein also shone with 15 points and 13 rebounds.

Mark Daigneault has already highlighted Aday Mara's impact

The Thunder's coach, Mark Daigneault, had already praised the Spaniard after his NBA debut against the San Antonio Spurs. In that game, Mara scored seven points, grabbed two rebounds, made one assist, and recorded one block in under eleven minutes, including a significant defensive play against Victor Wembanyama.

Daigneault then emphasized the calmness with which the center approached the situation and his ability to influence the game despite having limited minutes. The coach explained that Mara had proven to be a player capable of making an immediate impact and acknowledged that his performance could lead the coaching staff to trust him more.

Those words now take on new meaning. His double-double against Phoenix not only represents a personal record but also an opportunity to solidify his place within the rotation of one of the most competitive teams in the NBA.

The challenge for Mara will be to maintain consistency and seize every opportunity in a roster with demanding competition at the center position. Nevertheless, his efficiency, rebounding ability, and defensive influence provide reasons to believe that he can earn more minutes as the season progresses.

Aday Mara has already achieved something that Pau Gasol took longer to accomplish: recording a double-double in his first four NBA games. It is early to draw definitive conclusions, but the Spaniard has made it clear that he is ready to take advantage of his opportunities and that his adaptation to the best league in the world is moving in the right direction.

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