Watch: Daigneault breaks down Thunder's mentality after dominant Game 1 win

Fresh off a dominant Game 1 performance, the Oklahoma City Thunder aren’t basking in the glow of a 51-point playoff win. Instead, Head Coach Mark Daigneault is anchoring his group firmly in the process, not the outcome.

“It was a good neutral day,” Daigneault said after the win over Memphis. “Games are emotional one way or the other. You want to come in, get to neutral quickly, and dig into the facts, the plays, the fundamentals.”

Staying Grounded, Staying Sharp

The Thunder's ability to shut down Memphis’ transition game while cranking up their own tempo was a major key. But Daigneault was quick to note that some bounces went their way.

“There were a couple of moments where they could’ve burned us. Bain had a wide-open three in the corner that didn’t drop,” he admitted. “We did well, but the process could’ve been a little better.”

With star players like Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant, and Desmond Bane all having off nights, Daigneault isn’t leaning into false confidence. “What it yielded was probably an outlier,” he said. “Players of that caliber usually don’t have two in a row like that. We’ve got to be ready.”

Flexibility and Fundamentals

Daigneault emphasized the importance of defensive versatility, pointing out that OKC’s perimeter pressure is a team strength—but size still matters.

“We’ve got the option of going bigger, like we did yesterday. That proved to be pretty good,” he said. “We threw out different looks so we could calibrate and evaluate.”

Process Over Results

For Daigneault, the key to playoff consistency lies in a process-oriented mindset that’s been baked into the team culture all season.

“We try to have a very neutral approach every single day. Keep it to the fundamentals. Don’t let the outcomes—or shooting variance—distract us.”

He sees emotional control as a competitive edge: “The best way to ground yourself after a win and lift yourself after a loss is to make your day-to-day the same.”

Respect Earned, Not Given

While external recognition may have missed some Thunder players—especially defensively—Daigneault sees deeper validation within the locker room.

“The way his teammates pulled for him, and how disappointed they were when it didn’t happen… it speaks volumes,” he said about one of his players who missed out on postseason awards. “At the end of the day, it comes down to the respect of the people you’re around the most.”

Staying Ready: The Aaron Wiggins Blueprint

When Aaron Wiggins didn’t check in until the second quarter but went on to lead the team in scoring, Daigneault wasn’t surprised. That adaptability, he says, is part of the Thunder DNA.

“We’ve done that with Caruso, Isaiah Joe, Wiggins. We try to develop that muscle—being ready for anything. And Wiggins has been elite at that from day one.”

The Frontcourt Fit: Chet & IHart’s Unique Spacing

Questions about floor spacing with two bigs—Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein—don’t worry Daigneault. The duo’s complementary skillsets make them a weapon, not a sacrifice.

“Chet helps you space horizontally. Hart helps you space vertically,” he explained. “Chet’s a three-level scorer, incredibly fluid. Hart’s an elite screen setter and roller. It works because of their skill.”

Off the Court: A Champion’s Perspective

And when he’s not game-planning, Daigneault remains a sports fan—celebrating a national title win in his own household.

“I watched all of it,” he said, grinning. “Their seniors won three out of four. Last year’s loss was brutal, but to come back like that… they should be proud.”

Eyes Forward

With Game 2 looming, Daigneault knows the Grizzlies will respond with more speed, more effort, and more edge.

“We’ve got to get our heads wrapped around that,” he said. “They’ll be better. And we’ve got to rise to that level.”

In OKC, the tone is clear: stay humble, stay ready, and stay the course.