Watch: Coach Daigneault defends decisions, praises Presti and Holmgren after Game 1 loss

Thunder Head Coach Daigneault praises GM Presti's vision following his NBA Executive of the Year award, and discusses late-game strategy in recent loss to Denver

Praising Sam Presti: A Visionary Executive

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault opened his media session by congratulating General Manager Sam Presti for being named NBA Executive of the Year. While the award is based on yearly performance, Daigneault emphasized Presti’s long-term vision and consistency. “Sam is not a year-to-year executive,” Daigneault said. “He’s made long-term investments that continue to pay dividends, and he’s built a sustainable organization over 17 years.”

Late-Game Strategy: “I Take Full Responsibility”

A significant portion of Daigneault’s remarks focused on the final moments of the Thunder’s recent loss to Denver. He accepted full responsibility for the strategy and execution, particularly around not fouling up three and the team’s positioning after missed free throws. “Every decision was at our direction,” he said. “When you play probabilities, the right decision doesn’t always mean the right outcome.”

On the Jokic Situation: A Missed Sixth Foul?

Daigneault acknowledged the missed opportunity to challenge a potential sixth foul on Nikola Jokic. He explained that he was unsure if the play was challengeable and asked officials for clarity. “That would have been a play I would have gone after, had I known for sure,” he said.

Philosophy of Fouling Up Three

The Thunder practice fouling when up three points, but Daigneault highlighted the nuances. “It’s not black and white,” he said. “We train for these situations in camp and revisit them throughout the year.” Still, he maintained that the team followed their structure and he stood by the decision-making process.

Chet Holmgren’s Role and Matchup with Jokic

Daigneault discussed Holmgren’s defensive matchup with Jokic, noting that both Holmgren and the backup bigs were in foul trouble. Despite the physical demands, he praised Chet’s competitiveness and effectiveness. “It’s length versus strength,” Daigneault said. “But we feel good about how he defended.”

Handling Adversity and Learning Through Experience

The young Thunder team has had limited exposure to clutch moments due to the frequency of blowouts during the regular season. Daigneault acknowledged that close playoff games are part of the growth process. “This is how you forge the team you want to be through both success and adversity,” he said.

Jalen Williams' Growth and Challenges

While Jalen Williams had a strong series against Memphis, he struggled in Game 1 against Denver. Daigneault pointed to his increased willingness to shoot threes as a positive development. “He’s a far better player than he was a month ago,” he said, expressing full confidence in his continued growth.

Team Culture and Supporting One Another

When asked about Holmgren’s struggles and mental resilience, Daigneault chose to keep player conversations private but emphasized the Thunder’s close-knit culture. “This team wraps their arms around guys in tough moments,” he said. “They’ve stayed connected through both success and adversity.”