Mark Daigneault Articles - Page 2

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault addressed Chet Holmgren’s struggles in Game 1 of the NBA Finals and delivered a strong defense of the 23-year-old big man while acknowledging the team’s overall underwhelming effort. Ahead of Sunday night’s Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers, Daigneault spoke with ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel and other members of […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder were not able to close out Game 1 of the NBA Finals and lost 111-110 to the Indiana Pacers. The Thunder were in control for the entire game until the final seconds, when they were not able to execute. Head coach Mark Daigneault made a few decisions toward the end of […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton’s game-winning shot topped a critical 12-3 run against head coach Mark Daigneault and the Oklahoma City Thunder. With 0.3 seconds left, Haliburton sealed a 111-110 victory in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Before Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander revealed a lesson he learned from the Thunder’s fourth-quarter […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — In a regular season where the Oklahoma City Thunder finished with a 24-58 record, head coach Mark Daigneault saw glimmers of hope. All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and All-Defensive guard Lu Dort are the only remaining starters from the 2021-22 squad, and Kenrich Williams and Aaron Wiggins, a rookie at the time, still come […]

As the Oklahoma City Thunder look to win the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers, the team will still have its hands full as their Eastern Conference opponent has had an impressive playoff run. While Thunder’s Mark Daigneault has shown respect to fellow head coach Rick Carlisle, he would also shout out the entire team […]

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault knows his team will have its hands full in trying to contain Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton in the NBA Finals. Daigneault knows Rick Carlisle leads a confident squad, shocking the league with its unanticipated run through the Eastern Conference to face the Thunder. The alpha star has […]

Before facing off in the 2025 NBA Finals, Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault paid his respects to Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. After Daigneault discussed Sam Presti’s relationship influencing the Thunder, he addressed Carlisle guiding his Pacers to beating the New York Knicks 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals. Mark has a […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder will play their most anticipated game since June 12, 2012. The franchise returns to the NBA Finals spotlight come Thursday. This time the Indiana Pacers stand in the way for the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso and company. The last Thunder team featured veterans with previous title winning […]

Oklahoma City Thunder veteran Alex Caruso reflected on the disrespect he receives, defending Denver Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic, and his full-circle moment with his head coach, Mark Daigneault. The two have come a long way from the G League to the NBA Finals. When the Chicago Bulls traded Caruso to the Thunder for Josh Giddey, […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — After coaching the Oklahoma City Blue, the organization’s G League affiliate, for five seasons, GM Sam Presti named Mark Daigneault the Oklahoma City Thunder head coach. He joined Billy Donovan’s coaching staff as an assistant before taking over. Then, four seasons later, Daigneault guided the Thunder to the NBA Finals, leading a […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — Four wins from an NBA title, head coach Mark Daigneault and the Oklahoma City Thunder navigated the 2024-25 campaign without expectations. Daigneault’s meticulous approach forces his team to focus on what’s in front of them, one play, quarter, half, and game at a time, rather than looking ahead or setting benchmarks. For […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder are onto the NBA Finals, and it’s been a long time coming, especially for head coach Mark Daigneault and 3-and-D star Alex Caruso. While much of Oklahoma City’s core is homegrown, Caruso and Daigneault’s history with each other dates back even further than when Daigneault became the Thunder head coach or […]

The NBA Finals now have their first finalist. Head coach Mark Daigneault and the Oklahoma City Thunder captured the Western Conference crown with a resounding 124-94 rout of the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5. But to truly understand the Thunder’s dominance, you have to look at how completely the Timberwolves unraveled. In the series finale, […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — Head coach Mark Daigneault and the Oklahoma City Thunder advanced to the 2025 NBA Finals after beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-94 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. It’s the franchise’s first conference title in 12 years. All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named MVP of the series. Then, Thunder head coach Mark […]

After a series filled with ups, downs, and historic performances, the Oklahoma City Thunder have officially become the Western Conference Champions, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-94 in a pivotal Game 5 at the Paycom Center. The Thunder threw more at the T-Wolves than they could handle, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander turned in another MVP-caliber performance, and in […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been the best team in basketball all season long, and they proved that and more during the Western Conference Finals. After getting an epic Game 4 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves to take a 3-1 series lead on Monday night, the Thunder made a statement with a dominant 124-94 victory […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault watched his team bounce back from a historic 42-point loss in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves. In a tightly-contested matchup, the Thunder turned in arguably their best performance of the postseason to take a 3-1 lead. Their 128-126 win, […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder are just one win away from going to the NBA Finals after taking down the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday night. The Thunder dominated the first two games of the series at home, but Minnesota had quite the answer in Game 3. The Timberwolves […]

Jalen Williams stepped onto the court in Game 4 with calm confidence and left it as one of the biggest reasons the Oklahoma City Thunder are one win away from the NBA Finals. The second-year forward poured in 34 points on 13-of-24 shooting, including 6-of-9 from deep. He added five assists, three rebounds, and three […]

MINNEAPOLIS — Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault has had ample time to rethink his approach following the Thunder’s historic 42-point loss in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals in the NBA Playoffs. After a 143-101 blowout loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Daigneault is heading into Monday’s matchup open to making significant changes, […]

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault and his team couldn’t extinguish the fire Minnesota Timberwolves ignited in Game 3. Coming into Target Center with a 2-0 series lead, the Thunder aimed to widen the gap to 3-0. Instead, the Timberwolves unleashed a storm early and never let up. Minnesota ultimately dismantled the Thunder in […]

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves handed head coach Mark Daigneault and the Oklahoma City Thunder their worst postseason loss in a 143-101 blowout in Game 3, which had their fans in a frenzy, leaving the Target Center. Throughout the first half, Thunder fans were shocked as it unfolded. After Oklahoma City surrendered a 34-14 run […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder won Games 1 and 2 of the Western Conference Finals by double digits. However, head coach Mark Daigneault and newly-minted MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were down big at halftime in game three. Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves went into halftime with a 72-41 lead against one of the best teams in […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder continue to trust their process versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, using their defensive toughness and offensive efficiency to grind down their opponent in the 2025 Western Conference Finals. MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 38 points and eight assists, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren combined to form a potent secondary punch […]

With the Oklahoma City Thunder now two wins away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012, the spotlight is rightfully on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—not only for his on-court dominance but for the leadership imprint he’s left on the team. After OKC’s 118-103 Game 2 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals, head […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder have maintained a unified front over the last couple of years both during and after their games. They huddle together in courtside interviews and constantly horse around like they are back on the playground. Their youthful enthusiasm is pure and infectious. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the franchise’s leader and superstar, kept that strong […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder led the NBA with 68 wins during the regular season. However, the Minnesota Timberwolves were one of only a couple teams who split the season series against them. Ahead of Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the two teams left standing in the West, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder will face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves in a Game 1 matchup in the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday. It’s a highly anticipated contest, as we’ll see plenty of talent on the court late in the playoffs. Leading into the game, OKC head coach Mark Daigneault shared the one key detail […]

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso revealed his message for the fans after eliminating the Denver Nuggets. The No. 1 seed in the Western Conference lived up to its 68-win total, blowing out the Nuggets 125-93 in Game 7 of the second round. Caruso has been a significant part of this franchise’s success this postseason. […]

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault dropped a truth bomb on the Denver Nuggets after his team’s 125-93 victory. The Thunder took care of business in Game 7 of the second round, looking like the 68-win team they were throughout the regular season. Oklahoma City’s stars and depth overwhelmed a tired, hurt Denver squad […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder fan base erupted over multiple plays executed by their home team. But Cason Wallace got everyone in the Paycom Center on their feet during the third quarter of this NBA Playoff game. By delivering a poster dunk over Nikola Jokic. Wallace hit the acceleration while in transition. He faced the 6-foot-11 […]

Alex Caruso isn’t giving the Denver Nuggets fits with his scoring. Not with 11 points through three quarters. But the Oklahoma City Thunder veteran instead amazed with this element: His defense on Nikola Jokic on Sunday in Game 7. The 6-foot-5, 186-pound Caruso entered the Paycom Center at a significant size advantage compared to “Joker.” […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — The stage is set for Game 7 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets, but starting forward Aaron Gordon’s status remained uncertain hours before tip-off. Before Nuggets coach David Adelman provided an update, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault revealed what he anticipates in Game 7. Then, Adelman revealed Gordon’s status. […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault held the team’s final practice before facing the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals at the Paycom Center. Focusing on the approach that got them to this point, Daigneault says his team’s focus in Sunday’s matchup is critical and that there’s […]

As the Oklahoma City Thunder prepares for Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets, one would think that the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference doesn’t have as much pressure as the other team, but Frank Isola would argue that point. With the Thunder looking for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and others to lead them to the […]

After a 119-107 loss to the Denver Nuggets, the Oklahoma City Thunder will host Game 7 at the Paycom Center on Sunday, where Mark Daigneault will look to guide All-Stars Jalen Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the Thunder to their first Western Conferece Finals. In Game 6, Williams turned in his worst shooting performance of the […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder are storming through the NBA playoffs, and it’s not just their stars drawing attention. This week, Kendrick Perkins had praise for the Thunder, and it quickly exploded across social media after the ESPN analyst delivered a bold take on the team’s elite bench depth, with quite the comparison for the teams […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — After winning Game 5 against the Denver Nuggets, 112-107, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren gave his head coach, Mark Daigneault, credit for keeping faith in his players. Constantly focused on improving and not shocking his doubters, Daigneault is turning NBA fans into believers with a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference […]

OKLAHOMA CITY — After Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led his team to victory in Game 5 against the Denver Nuggets, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault pointed to his team’s poise, which erased a 12-point deficit to grab a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference semifinals. Lu Dort’s confidence led to making three threes […]