Thunder Coach Emphasizes Flaws Ahead of Playoff Push

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — As the Oklahoma City Thunder gear up for their playoff run, head coach Mark Daigneault is setting a grounded tone amidst high expectations. With the postseason on the horizon, Daigneault spoke candidly about the game’s inherent imperfections ahead of their first playoff game this Sunday.

“Basketball is not only not a perfect game, it’s an imperfect game,” Daigneault said in a press conference. “Just watching some of the games yesterday, you notice that people still turn the ball over, miss shots, and miss assignments. That’s how the game is, no matter the stage.”

The Thunder have enjoyed a relatively healthy roster as they enter the playoffs, with only Ousmane Dieng (calf) and Nikola Topic (knee surgery) sidelined. Daigneault emphasized the need for adaptability in player rotations, especially with the changes made to the Memphis Grizzlies since appointing coach Tuomas Iisalo.

“There’s generally a rotational script, you could call it, and then I would say pivot points that we prepare for,” Daigneault explained. “We just got to go out there and play our game.”

One player who could significantly impact the games is rookie Ajay Mitchell, a pivotal playmaker who recently returned from several months of recovery due to turf toe surgery. He made his playoff debut with just 20 seconds left in the first quarter during the final regular-season game.

“I’m expecting the same thing from him as I expect from everybody, which is to be ready to bring their strengths to the table,” Daigneault said of Mitchell. “In the playoffs, we’re going to need everybody at different times. As far as I’m concerned, he’s live.”

Joel Lorenzi covers the Thunder for The Oklahoman. Fans and followers can reach out to him via email at [email protected] or on social media at @joelxlorenzi.