Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault highlighted his team’s focus and execution following Wednesday’s 138-89 victory over the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center. The win ties the franchise with the best 25-game start in NBA history at 24-1 and advances the Thunder to the NBA Cup semifinals.
Daigneault credited the team’s rhythm and precision, particularly in the first half, as a driving factor behind the dominant performance. “Great tone early in the game to build an early lead… we closed the quarter really well, both ends of the floor,” he said.
The coach emphasized mental toughness as a key component, noting the difficulty of maintaining focus with a large lead. “The group in the fourth quarter did a great job of just kind of playing the next possession… that’s how you build habits,” Daigneault explained.
Cason Wallace’s defensive presence was singled out as a major contributor to the early momentum. “He’s often guarding the guy bringing the ball up… he does a great job of setting a tone on the possession,” Daigneault said, noting Wallace’s steals and early three-pointer energized the team.
Daigneault also praised Chet Holmgren’s offensive versatility. “He had a good inside-out blend… hit threes early, got some rolling, post-ups, offensive rebounds… really complete game in his minutes,” he said, highlighting Holmgren’s ability to exploit smaller defenders.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s playmaking was another key factor in the Thunder’s efficient attack. Daigneault noted the team’s ball movement and spacing allowed them to capitalize on aggressive defensive matchups. “He was aggressive, the other handlers were aggressive… we were in our spots and finished those plays,” he said.
Despite the win streak, Daigneault stressed the importance of remaining present and focused on each game. “We’re trying not to anticipate concerns… anything in the past or future takes you out of the present moment,” he said, reinforcing the team’s commitment to process over results.
Looking ahead, the Thunder will prepare to face either the Los Angeles Lakers or San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup semifinals on Saturday, with Daigneault emphasizing preparation as usual. “We’ll prep it and get the team ready… we’ll approach it as any other game,” he said, underlining the team’s disciplined mindset.
