Latest news with #MarkDaigneault
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Thunder's Mark Daigneault uses 1 word to sum up Jalen Williams' Game 5 eruption
The post Thunder's Mark Daigneault uses 1 word to sum up Jalen Williams' Game 5 eruption appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Oklahoma City Thunder have taken control of the 2025 NBA Finals, as they now find themselves up 3-2 against the Indiana Pacers following a 120-109 victory in Game 5 on Monday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did his thing, as he usually does, but it was Jalen Williams who emerged as the game's biggest star — dropping 40 points on 14-25 shooting as he put the Pacers' defense to the sword over and over again, preventing them from pulling off yet another bonkers comeback. Advertisement Williams has had his fair share of poor outings in this year's playoffs. But he has looked very comfortable against the Pacers' defense. And he's been more assertive the deeper the series has gone, which Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault saw in the way he attacked the rim over and over again in Game 5. 'Force. That's the word,' Daigneault said of Williams' performance in Game 5, per Joel Lorenzi of The Oklahoman. If Gilgeous-Alexander prefers to attack more methodically, using precise movement and footwork to get defenders off-balance, which leads to plenty of free-throw attempts, Williams is more of a battering ram, a hard-charging projectile launched at full speed ready for impact. The Pacers' defense was broken down over and over again by Williams' aggressive play, and with the Thunder's three-pointers falling on Monday, the Pacers played from behind for most of the game. Williams has drawn some criticism from some fans in this year's playoffs; there are nights where he's simply gone invisible, unable to get into a scoring rhythm. But he got it going in Game 5, powering the Thunder to victory by being an unstoppable force. And at just 24 years of age, Williams has a 40-point game in the NBA Finals — a feat that no one can ever take away from him. Thunder win Game 5 thanks to the Paul George trade Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images A lot has been written about how the Paul George trade was able to help both the Thunder and Pacers build contending teams. But OKC's Game 5 win was especially powered by their fateful George trade with the Los Angeles Clippers in July 2019. Both Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams came over as a result of that trade (with Williams being selected 12th overall courtesy of a Clippers pick swap in 2022), and they stretched the Pacers defense past its breaking point on Monday night. Advertisement The Thunder are now only one win away from winning the first NBA championship in Oklahoma City history, although they will have to brace for yet another retaliatory blow from a Pacers team that doesn't know when to quit. Related: Stephen A. Smith uses Michael Jordan-Scottie Pippen example to praise Thunder's Jalen Williams Related: Thunder's Alex Caruso issues strong message after Game 5 victory
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why Thunder's Mark Daigneault is treating Game 4 ‘like a loss' ahead of Game 5
The post Why Thunder's Mark Daigneault is treating Game 4 'like a loss' ahead of Game 5 appeared first on ClutchPoints. OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault wants his team to head into Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers almost as if they're trailing in their best-of-7 series. That's how close the Thunder came to losing Game 4 before Shai Gilgeous-Alexander resuscitated the Thunder's offense in the fourth quarter. Advertisement For Daigneault, that's no recipe for sustained success, especially on the biggest stage — the NBA Finals — with an opportunity to push the Pacers to the brink of elimination in Game 5. 'It's challenging. We're playing against a great team that's pushing us to the limit. Hopefully, we're pushing them to the limit in the same way,' Daigneault said. 'There's nothing comfortable about these games. It's a challenging opponent that's really testing us. We just need to approach those challenges as opportunities. That's what our guys do. They do a great job of it. We have to be better. We did not control that game. We won it, fortunately. 'But we did not control that game. So, we have to almost approach this like a loss in terms of really needing to look into the mirror and make some critical adjustments if we want to give ourselves a better chance to control Game 5, and not just hope to win it,' Daigneault concluded. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault watched his team's defense hold the Pacers to 17 fourth-quarter points, while Gilgeous-Alexander's 15 points in the last five minutes salvaged a seven-point victory in Game 4, and possibly the Thunder's season, by avoiding a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stresses Thunder's 'need' to improve Kyle Terada-Imagn Images Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander says his team will improve in Game 5. It's imperative if they want to beat a hungry Pacers team that's coming off a Game 4 loss that slipped between their fingers in the last five minutes of Friday's 111-104 loss. Advertisement For Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder can't let history repeat itself in Game 5 on Monday. 'Whatever it takes to win has always been our mindset. It's all that really matters with us,' Gilgeous-Alexander said. 'Now, it's harder to win the way we played last game, over the course of time, and we have to correct that if we want to come out on top. So, we're grateful and thankful we did enough to get a win, but we're not trying to rely on the way we played last game. We need to be better, and we're going to be better.' The Thunder will look to grab a 3-2 lead in Game 5 against the Pacers. Related: How Thunder's Jalen Williams 'declared himself' as a future star during rookie season Related: Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stresses 'need' to improve despite Game 4 win
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
How Thunder's Jalen Williams ‘declared himself' as a future star during rookie season
The post How Thunder's Jalen Williams 'declared himself' as a future star during rookie season appeared first on ClutchPoints. OKLAHOMA CITY — From the outset, coach Mark Daigneault knew Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams was a unique talent. After team practice ahead of Game 5, Daigneault reflected on Williams' growth over the years. In only his third season, Williams emerged as one of the NBA's rising stars in 2024-25. Jalen earned an All-Star selection, was named to the All-Defensive Second Team, and made the All-NBA Third Team; all career-firsts. Advertisement Then, he helped the Thunder grab what seemed to be an improbable win against the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. His scoring and facilitating kept the Thunder within striking distance, finishing with 27 points, seven rebounds, and three assists as Oklahoma City turned en route to a 111-104 much-needed win. Ahead of a critical Game 5 at the Paycom Center, Daigneault spoke to the signs he noticed from a young Williams navigating his rookie campaign in 2022-23. 'When he started with us, and this has been our approach with most players, it's not like we just hand him the ball. We put him in the system first, and the guys who are really efficient in the system end up banging on the door, and they kind of show ya that they need more, and he was in that category,' Daigneault said. 'He came off the bench early on, and we weren't pushing every button for him, but he just kept showing the ability to take more of a load, and his efficiency was not dropping off, and his impact was not dropping off. If anything, it was increasing. 'And usually, when those guys are doing that, they're declaring themselves, and he certainly declared himself,' Daigneault concluded. Mark Daigneault on Jalen Williams' role in Thunder's Game 4 win Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Heading into Game 5, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault is treating Game 4 as a loss. That's the kind of mindset he wants from his team, which he says is fortunate to be tied, 2-2, in the NBA Finals against the Pacers. Advertisement For Daigneault, Williams has a lot to do with that. 'It was really big time for us in Game 4. Not only in his creation, but just some of the simple plays he made to put his teammates in advantages,' Daigneault said. 'As much as Shai closed the game, I thought he kept us afloat in a lot of different periods in that game. But he's still a third-year player. He's still learning. He's still growing.' The Thunder will look to push the Pacers to the brink of elimination in Game 5. Related: Tracy McGrady impressed by 1 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ability Related: Why Thunder's Mark Daigneault is treating Game 4 'like a loss' ahead of Game 5
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mark Daigneault sends honest message to Thunder before Game 6
The post Mark Daigneault sends honest message to Thunder before Game 6 appeared first on ClutchPoints. OKLAHOMA CITY — While Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault understands his team is one win away from an NBA title, he also knows his team is one loss away from being on the brink of elimination. Advertisement The Thunder won Game 5 to take a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals series against the Indiana Pacers as the best-of-7 series shifts to Indianapolis for Game 6. Jalen Williams scored a playoff career-high 40 points, keeping his team ahead in Game 5. After the win, Daigneault listed the pros and cons from Game 5, which he considered a step up from the Thunder's performance in Game 4, but still plenty of room for improvement if Oklahoma City is to clinch its first title in franchise history. 'I thought our defense tonight was really good. I thought our conversion off our defense was hit or miss. We had some really good moments. We had some moments I wish we could have back,' Daigneault said. 'The second-chance points were a major problem. They did a great job of crashing to the glass. They beat us in the paint tonight. It wasn't a perfect game at all, and there's a lot of room for growth, but I thought our improvement from Game 4 to Game 5 was critical, and we're gonna need a similar type of approach. Advertisement 'We got to take the humility to understand there's still a lot we can get better at if we wanna go on the road and win a game.' Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault watched his team make a comeback in the second half of Game 4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander netted 15 of the Thunder's last 16 points in the last five minutes. It was a win that changed the complexion of the NBA Finals. Now, coupled with a convincing victory at the Paycom Center, the Pacers will host Game 6. Jalen Williams' rare take after Thunder win Game 5 Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports After becoming one of the youngest players to score 40 points in the NBA Finals, Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams pointed to his teammates and coaches for the support that led to a special career milestone. Advertisement 'I'm just blessed to be in a situation where everybody wants everybody to succeed. It's such a rare thing,' Williams said. 'I think it's ever more rare that we're playing the Pacers, who, just looking on the outside, are kind of that way, too. You see how close-knit they are. But, yeah, I'm just in a really, really good situation.' The Thunder will look to clinch the NBA Finals in Game 6 on Thursday. Related: Pacers' Rick Carlisle reveals 'likely' Tyrese Haliburton injury status for NBA Finals Game 6 Related: Thunder's Chet Holmgren reveals special relationship with draft classmate Jalen Williams
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Thunder HC Mark Daigneault issues honest Game 7 outlook vs. Pacers
The post Thunder HC Mark Daigneault issues honest Game 7 outlook vs. Pacers appeared first on ClutchPoints. Even when the Oklahoma City Thunder lost Game 1 in Catastrophic fashion and eventually found themselves down 2-1 to the Indiana Pacers, they have been the favorite in these NBA Finals. That remains the case heading into a winner-take-all Game 7 in the Paycom Center this Sunday night. However, there is no telling how the youngest squad in the league (by average age) will respond when the pressure reaches suffocating levels. Advertisement Matchup advantages are exceptionally difficult to gauge in such an atmosphere. Moreover, one cannot help but hone in on the Pacers' unflagging determination throughout the playoffs. When looking at this entire journey, an improbable Indiana championship victory would be a fitting way to wrap up a whirlwind spring. But Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault is not interested in gripping narratives. A compelling story means nothing ahead of opening tip-off. Everything resets. 'We have the same opportunity that Indiana does on Sunday,' he said after the team's 108-91 loss (wasn't even that close), per beloved OKC sideline reporter Nick Gallo. 'The score will be 0-0 when the ball goes up in the air. It's a privilege to play in Game 7s. It's a privilege to play in the Finals. As disappointing as tonight was, we're grateful for the opportunity, and we put in a lot of work this season to be able to play that game at home. We're just excited to be able to do it in front of our fans.' Will the Thunder respond yet again? Although it may seem hard to envision the Thunder recovering from this thrashing in Gainbridge Fieldhouse in time for the final clash of the season, they have repeatedly bounced back from agonizing defeats and blowouts. Weather it be an Aaron Gordon game-winner, a beatdown by the Minnesota Timberwolves or a Tyrese Haliburton game-winner, this group has regained momentum. It must do so one last time. Advertisement If Oklahoma City wants to deliver its fervid fan base a championship, under no circumstances can this poor performance carry into Sunday night. With a chance to make history on the line, the team wilted. The Pacers deserve enormous praise for engulfing their opponent on defense and putting the contest away fairly early, but the Thunder did their own part to guarantee a Game 7. What went wrong for OKC in Game 6 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander committed eight of the squad's 21 turnovers. Jalen Williams posted a shocking -40 plus-minus. Chet Holmgren was invisible for most of the evening, finishing with four points and six rebounds in 24 minutes. Alex Caruso, the only player on the team with a championship ring, failed to make an impact off the bench. OKC as a whole shot 26.7 percent from 3-point range. Mark Daigneault failed to make adjustments. A five and a half minute scoring drought to begin the second half is perhaps the biggest evidence of the Thunder's lack of preparation. They can flip the switch like few others, though, quickly removing themselves from disappointment and exemplifying the uniquely brilliant brand of basketball that has allowed them to approach immortality. OKC has yet to lose back-to-back games in the 2025 NBA playoffs. Advertisement Daigneault is counting on that elite resilience in what will be the defining moment of this franchise's history thus far. 'We'll regroup, get back to zero, learn from it with clear eyes like we always do, and get ourselves as ready as we can be to play Game 7 on Sunday,' the 2024 Coach of the Year said, per Gallo. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET. Related: Thunder fans call fake news on Tyrese Haliburton injury Related: Thunder's NBA Finals vs. Pacers eerily similar to Nuggets series
