Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged that accidents performed a task within the crew’s postseason run, notably the absences of Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, however he additionally praised the group’s skill to stay aggressive regardless of these setbacks.
Talking after the season, Daigneault admitted that dropping key gamers diminished Oklahoma Metropolis’s general potential, although he believes the crew’s consistency all year long demonstrated the energy of its basis.
“Lacking (Williams) impacts your ceiling. Lacking Ajay Mitchell impacts your ceiling. However we’ve been capable of keep a extremely excessive ground. I’m pleased with that.”
The Thunder coach pointed to the crew’s resilience as one of many largest positives from the marketing campaign, noting that Oklahoma Metropolis continued to carry out at a excessive degree even whereas coping with accidents.
Trying forward, Daigneault expressed optimism concerning the future, particularly in relation to Williams, who battled a number of well being points over the previous 12 months.
“That’s an enormous accomplishment for the season, and it’ll pay dividends shifting ahead and pays dividends for us this 12 months. … I’m excited a few wholesome Jalen Williams. I’m excited a few wholesome crew and what that may appear like shifting ahead.”
Daigneault added that serving to Williams return to full energy will likely be a serious focus throughout the offseason after what he described as a tough 12 months for the younger star.
“In order that turns into the precedence particularly with him. It was a tricky 12 months for him, and we have to do the whole lot we will to get him in full kind, and he does too.”
Thunder Notes: SGA, J-Dub, Mitchell, Wallace, Extra https://t.co/iHltFivgh5
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) May 31, 2026
