Oklahoma City Thunder Coach Mark Daigneault Praises Team Growth During Playoff Series Against Nuggets

Add as a preferred source on Google

The Oklahoma City Thunder showcased remarkable growth in their playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, taking a 3-2 lead after a thrilling 112-105 victory. Coach Mark Daigneault praised his team's progress and highlighted Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's standout performance. "I thought he got more and more composed as the game went on," Daigneault stated. Despite mounting pressure, Gilgeous-Alexander remained calm, executing plays effectively.

Gilgeous-Alexander's contribution was pivotal, scoring 31 points along with five rebounds and assists. This marked his seventh career playoff game with over 30 points. Reflecting on their comeback, he said, "We had no choice. The game obviously wasn't going our way. But we always say the answer is never a hero play or anything out of the ordinary." He emphasized teamwork and trust among players as key to overcoming challenges.

The Thunder's resurgence in the fourth quarter was crucial, outscoring the Nuggets 34-19. Lu Dort played a significant role by hitting three consecutive three-pointers after missing his initial attempts. Dort shared, "Honestly... I put a lot of work in. I work on those type of shots." His confidence and preparation paid off at a critical moment.

Nuggets coach David Adelman acknowledged Dort's impact, stating, "Give Lu Dort a lot of credit. We had a chance to... blow the game over and out... When he made those shots to keep them in it, that was big." The Thunder capitalized on this momentum shift to secure their win.

Nikola Jokic delivered an impressive performance for the Nuggets with 44 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists. However, his efforts weren't enough to secure victory against Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder. Reflecting on Jokic's skills, Gilgeous-Alexander remarked, "I think above all, he's very smart... He's always manipulating things."

Daigneault expressed satisfaction with his team's evolution throughout the series. "We're a better team today than we were at the beginning of the series," he noted. The Thunder have shown significant improvement and learning during these playoffs.

This victory brings Oklahoma City one step closer to advancing further in the playoffs. Their collective effort and strategic plays have been instrumental in achieving this position against strong opponents like Denver.