Mark Daigneault Articles - Page 2

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault knows it’s easy to forget he’s still molding a handful of developmental players who are coming off a championship run. Daigneault pointed out the growth in Jalen Williams amid his first All-Star campaign last season, and while he’s working his way back from an offseason wrist surgery, Cason […]

The NBA is often considered a player-driven league, but don’t get it twisted, coaching is of the utmost importance. The world of head coaching was more hectic last year than perhaps ever before. Numerous coaches were fired in the middle of or late in the season, including Taylor Jenkins and Michael Malone. Teams are clearly […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s new documentary, “Loud City: The OKC Thunder Championship Season” on NBATV tells the story of the 2025 NBA champion, which includes a funny scene between coach Mark Daigneault and All-Star Jalen Williams. Less than a week before Thunder’s championship banner/ring ceremony at the Paycom Center, the documentary gives fans behind-the-scenes access […]

The individual improvements that the Oklahoma City Thunder players made haven’t gone unnoticed by their head coach, Mark Daigneault, who highlighted a handful of his guys. There are plenty of takeaways from Thunder’s preseason, including centers Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams’ physiques entering training camp. On the floor, Daigneault recognizes Cason Wallace from a basketball standpoint, […]

From the outset, head coach Mark Daigneault says Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander knew who he was destined to be in the NBA. It was inevitable. Gilgeous-Alexander is driven to surpass Kobe Bryant, which, for some, makes sense after winning his first championship. However, for Daigneault, none of this comes as a surprise for […]

Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Chris Youngblood made the most of his opportunity in Saturday’s preseason matchup against the Indiana Pacers, as the undrafted shooter continued to impress head coach Mark Daigneault. In a game where the Thunder were without Isaiah Joe and Ajay Mitchell throughout the second half, Youngblood was the brightest spark off Daigneault’s […]

There is no denying that the Oklahoma City Thunder are the favorites to win another championship entering the 2025-26 NBA season. What Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren accomplished, leading this young Thunder squad to a title, was remarkable, but now comes the challenging part of it all: attempting to defend this championship. As […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — For the first time in the preseason, Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault unleashed most of his starting lineup, as MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played at the Paycom Center for the first time since winning an NBA championship. Scoring 12 of his 16 points in the first quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander hit the ground […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder is heavily favored to win the 2026 NBA Finals in the association’s annual GM survey of all 30 teams. While analysts make bold predictions about the 2025-26 Thunder, including a 70-win regular season, Oklahoma City is picked to become the first repeat champions since 2017 ahead of the Golden State Warriors’ […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder kicked off its preseason with a 135-114 win on the road against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. After a competitive training camp for the champion Thunder, Oklahoma City saved its starters along with most of head coach Mark Daigneault’s rotation, which didn’t make the trip to Charleston, South Carolina. MVP Shai […]

From the outset of the 2025-26 season, improvement has been an underlying theme for head coach Mark Daigneault in Oklahoma City Thunder training camp, in preparation for the competition that awaits a defending champion. As the youngest team in the league, growth remains a priority, as veteran Alex Caruso reminded reporters of the two Game […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder used one of the deepest rotations in the NBA to secure the franchise’s first championship. With the start of the 2025-26 regular season on the horizon, the Thunder are favored to go back-to-back. Thanks to the addition of Nikola Topic to a crowded bench mob featuring Isaiah Joe and Cason Wallace, […]

Hall of Fame forward and NBA analyst Charles Barkley says Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault made a critical mistake that nearly cost him the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers. After sticking with his double-big lineup, featuring Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, throughout the Thunder’s playoff run, coach Daigneault changed his starting […]

Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams recalled the moment every rookie goes through that stays with them for a lifetime. After winning his first title, Williams agreed to a $287 million extension with the Thunder. In 2024-25, he became an All-Star, earned All-Defensive Second Team, and made the All-NBA Third Team. Still, Jalen remembers when […]

The NBA released the 2025-26 regular season schedule on Thursday. Now, teams around the league have an idea of what next season could look like. For the Oklahoma City Thunder, defending their first title an franchise history figures to be a challenge. However, reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren are ready […]

Before the Oklahoma City Thunder signed Thomas Sorber to a multi-year deal, head coach Mark Daigneault revealed his first impressions of the 15th overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft. Daigneault highlighted the kinds of qualities the Thunder look for in a young prospect. For Daigneault, Sorber’s reputation and approach make him an ideal prospect […]

Recently, the Oklahoma City Thunder hoisted the first NBA championship trophy in franchise history thanks to a Game 7 win over the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals. It was a resounding vindication that had been defying the odds all year. One of the main sources of doubt regarding this Thunder team was their youth–in […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder turned Sunday into a crucial workday. Locking in new contracts. The NBA Finals champions presented a $24 million deal to Jaylin Williams Sunday. But didn’t stop signing checks after. ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania revealed who signed next with OKC. “The Oklahoma City Thunder intend to sign guard Ajay Mitchell to […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder quickly shifted to building the roster mode following their victory parade. The NBA Finals champions had 24 hours to prepare for the Wednesday NBA Draft. OKC did indeed make one intriguing selection. Taking Nique Clifford at No. 24 overall out of Colorado State. But the thoughts of Clifford teaming with Shai […]

Jim Calhoun has seen legends rise. He has coached some of the biggest names in college basketball and built UConn into a powerhouse. But even with all the banners hanging in Storrs, there is one name Calhoun believes still deserves a spotlight. That name is Mark Daigneault. Before leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to an […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder etched their names into the NBA record books. They capped off their 68-14 campaign with a 103-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers, snatching Game 7 inside the Paycom Center. OKC’s 2024-25 team now rearranges this league list. The Thunder joins the 1968 Philadelphia 76ers as 68-win teams who won the title. […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder witnessed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit a level of greatness never seen in franchise history. He capped his Most Valuable Player winning performance by leading OKC to its first-ever NBA Finals victory Sunday. But he deferred the credit to a “once in a lifetime” player after beating the Indiana Pacers. That generational talent […]

Roundball fans will fire up the televisions or smart phones for Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The Sunday evening contest will crown a first time champion between either the Indiana Pacers or Oklahoma City Thunder. Climactic sequences are imminent inside the Paycom Center. Making the game feel like a movie. Well, the NBA got […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — As experience between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers was a storyline throughout the NBA Finals, Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams deemed the shifted focus towards Mark Daigneault and Rick Carlisle unnecessary ahead of Game 7. Daigneault is one win away from his first championship. His five years of experience include […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder had a chance to seal a historic NBA championship by defeating the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 on Thursday. Instead, the Pacers did something they have shown a constant ability to do this season: flip the script. Their 91-108 win over OKC came despite none of their starters scoring more than […]

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers kept their season alive in a 108-91 win against Mark Daigneault and the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. After the loss, Daigneault gave the Pacers credit for a dominant performance. However, when a reporter asked about Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander coughing up eight turnovers in […]

Even when the Oklahoma City Thunder lost Game 1 in Catastrophic fashion and eventually found themselves down 2-1 to the Indiana Pacers, they have been the favorite in these NBA Finals. That remains the case heading into a winner-take-all Game 7 in the Paycom Center this Sunday night. However, there is no telling how the […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder are coming into Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers on the verge winning a championship. With a 3-2 lead in the series, the Thunder are hoping to close the Pacers out in Game 6 and avoid a winner-take-all Game 7. Ahead of the game, Thunder head coach […]

INDIANAPOLIS — When it comes to Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault preparing to potentially face the Indiana Pacers with or without Tyrese Haliburton, he’s preparing for all of the above. After news of Haliburton’s calf injury broke ahead of Game 6, Tyrese is considered a game-time decision for Thursday’s do-or-die matchup for Indiana. […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — While Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault understands his team is one win away from an NBA title, he also knows his team is one loss away from being on the brink of elimination. The Thunder won Game 5 to take a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals series against the […]

The discourse surrounding the Oklahoma City Thunder all playoffs long has been rather confusing. There are times where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s greatness is questioned, which some critics saying that he has his stacked team to thank for his excellent play and eventual MVP coronation. And then on other times, fans are crying out that Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder have taken control of the 2025 NBA Finals, as they now find themselves up 3-2 against the Indiana Pacers following a 120-109 victory in Game 5 on Monday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did his thing, as he usually does, but it was Jalen Williams who emerged as the game’s biggest star — […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — From the outset, coach Mark Daigneault knew Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams was a unique talent. After team practice ahead of Game 5, Daigneault reflected on Williams’ growth over the years. In only his third season, Williams emerged as one of the NBA’s rising stars in 2024-25. Jalen earned an All-Star […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault wants his team to head into Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers almost as if they’re trailing in their best-of-7 series. That’s how close the Thunder came to losing Game 4 before Shai Gilgeous-Alexander resuscitated the Thunder’s offense in the fourth […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder evened the 2025 NBA Finals with a 111-104 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 4, but took 38 free throw attempts in the process, much to fans’ dismay. Regardless of the high number of attempts, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault did not think fouls had any influence on his team’s […]

With their backs against the wall, the Oklahoma City Thunder stormed into Game 4 and secured a hard-fought 111–104 win over the Indiana Pacers that tied the 2025 NBA Finals at two games apiece. In a series defined by razor-thin margins and shifting momentum, the Thunder once again rose to the moment. Adding to the […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder came into Game 4 of the NBA Finals knowing they needed a win to regain control of the series. Facing a hostile crowd and a red-hot Indiana Pacers team, the young Thunder squad found themselves once again leaning on their rising defensive anchor. And Chet Holmgren delivered exactly what they needed. […]

Mark Daigneault had high praises towards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after his clutch performance in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 111-104 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Finals on Friday night. In 40 minutes of action, Gilgeous-Alexander dominated on the scoring front. He finished with a stat line of 35 points, three […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder aren’t in full must-win mode just yet, but they are in desperate need of a win in Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers stole Game 1 in Oklahoma City before taking Game 3 at home to take a 2-1 lead in the series. For Mark […]