Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault addressed the media following his team’s dominant 131-80 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of their 2025 playoff series. The 51-point margin marked the largest Game 1 victory in NBA postseason history.
Daigneault praised his team for setting a strong tone early in the game. “I thought we did a good job tonally to start the game. We were ready to play, and we set a good tone,” he said. Despite the Grizzlies’ quick turnaround after playing just 36 hours prior, Daigneault acknowledged that Memphis would be sharper in Game 2.
A significant part of the Thunder’s success was their depth, with Aaron Wiggins leading the charge with 21 points off the bench. Jalen Williams added 20 points and six assists, while Chet Holmgren posted a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Daigneault credited the depth, especially in the second quarter when the team surged without their star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the floor. “Dub [Jalen Williams] really set the tone with his facilitation,” he said, praising the team’s ball movement and the second-unit’s performance.
The Thunder also set franchise playoff records, including most turnovers forced in a game. Their defense stifled the Grizzlies all night, limiting them to just 34.4% shooting. “We were amped up. Our guys were really sharp defensively, and I think our preparation played a big part in that,” Daigneault noted.
Despite a quiet 15-point performance from Gilgeous-Alexander, Daigneault was pleased with his floor game and leadership. “He played a really good floor game, especially in the third,” said Daigneault. “He stayed inside what we were trying to do, making the right plays and getting his teammates shots.”
The Thunder’s success was also evident in their offensive efficiency, as they registered 36 assists on 50 made field goals. Memphis, in contrast, struggled with just 19 points combined from their starting unit. Ja Morant was the lone standout for the Grizzlies, scoring 17 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Thunder’s offensive and defensive dominance.
Looking ahead to Game 2, Daigneault emphasized the importance of staying focused and ready for a better performance from Memphis. “They’re going to be a lot sharper,” he said. “We need to be ready for that.”
