Mark Daigneault praised Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance in Thursday’s 104-102 win over the Boston Celtics, calling him “surgical with his craft” and noting that his scoring streak “has not come at the expense of the team or his teammates.”
On the 127-game streak, Daigneault said, “He’s top of every scouting report every night. He’s getting a sharp scheme and a sharp opponent on most nights. It’s a testament to his consistency, his poise, and his craft.”
The Thunder coach highlighted Gilgeous-Alexander’s decision-making under pressure, adding, “Even like the last play, he’s got the ball, we’re holding for one. It’s a tie game, we’re at home. He passes. He really understands how to find his stuff and also activate his teammates.”
Daigneault also praised his leadership off the court, calling him “a great father, great husband, great teammate” who “treats everybody in the building from top to bottom with dignity.”
Regarding the Celtics’ defense, Daigneault noted, “Most teams are trying to take him out every night anyways. He didn’t score in the first couple minutes, but he let the game come to him and still found ways to lead the team.”
Defensively, the Thunder tightened in the second half, holding Boston to just 10 points in the paint. “We tightened up defensively. They got offensive rebounds, cuts, and transition runouts, but in the second half we stabilized that and forced them to earn everything,” Daigneault explained.
He also highlighted contributions from other players, saying, “J-Will has increased his baseline defensively because of his physicality and intelligence. Offensively, he’s a connector on the floor, a spacer, a facilitator, and elevates everything when he’s on the floor.”
Daigneault touched on late-game strategy, noting, “Chet hits his two big free throws to seal it. It was actually his idea. Good alertness by him. We just decided to make them and play our defense.”
The Thunder improved to 52-15 with their seventh straight win since Gilgeous-Alexander returned from an abdominal strain, while Boston fell to 43-23. Oklahoma City will host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, and the Celtics travel to face the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.
Daigneault reflected on the team’s approach amid roster changes: “We’ve had a very fluid roster all season. The team does a great job of playing the hand we’re dealt, seeing the opportunity in every situation, including our adversities, and making the most of the opportunities that we get.”
