Stiles Points: Mark Daigneault Represents a Postseason Advantage for OKC Thunder

Since Mark Daigneault accepted the OKC Blue job he has been building for a season like this. That consistent approach will soon pay off as a playoff advantage for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Mar 27, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault / Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder currently sit at 50-22, battling for the top seed in the Western Conference. As the NBA Playoffs loom, the conversation shifts to matchups, advantages, flaws, x-factors and expectations. While there are still ten games to go this season, the Thunder have at least one clear advantage in almost every possible playoff matchup. 

Mark Daigneault is one of the best coaches in the NBA flat out. From a tactical standpoint to his motivation skills getting plays to buy into his ideas, the young bench boss has quickly climbed the ranks. 

Starting as a G League head coach wet behind the ears, Daigneault showed off his unique ability to lead men. It is something former player - and current G League head coach - Kameron Woods picked up on right away. 

Woods, who played for the legendary Brad Stevens and Chris Holtman, gave Daigneault a ringing endorsement. 

“[Mark Daigneault] used to ask me about coach [Brad] Stevens…I used to always tell him ‘I don’t want to sound crazy but you guys are kinda similar,’ what stood out to me was my first year we played in the G League we were not good. We did not win a lot of games. Every day that you walked in the building, you could not tell that from how his approach was,” Woods said. 

That approach is huge for players as the All-time blocks leader at Butler goes on to explain saying “As a player, it gives you confidence that, that dude really does not care about results. He obviously wants to win games but that is not what is driving this thing,” Woods explained. 

Caring about developing players and making them better while letting the wins and losses be what they are has been a message from Daigneault even to the media. So far, that message has come true. The Thunder plugged away for his first two seasons in Bricktown with the same standards and philosophies they have today. No matter if they were a 24-win team or a 50-win team with ten games to go, Daigneault remained the same. His former player-turned-assistant coach reveals that is how he has always been. 

“He has an unwavering ability to stay on course. It helps the group through runs in a game, through downfalls in the season, through the good times in the season. The season is so long, there is so much stuff that happens. If you can just stay the course, and you have a leader that does that, it helps you a lot,” Woods said. 

That level of consistency has paid off with the Thunder ranking top five in offensive, defensive and net rating this season. From his willingness to explore lineups, set plays out of timeouts and ability to maximize the talent on the roster what has stood above the rest is how calming his voice is during the midst of games. Multiple times this season the Thunder have withstood massive runs, including a 30-0 avalanche in Dallas only to get to the other side victorious. 

In a postseason that will assuredly have highs, lows, twists, turns and runs, Daigneault is the perfect bench boss for this young team. 

Stiles Points: 

• The OKC Blue earned a big win over the Texas Legends on Thursday in their home finale, putting the Blue in prime position to make the G League postseason. The Blue will wrap up the regular season on Saturday against the Delaware Blue Coats. Currently, the Thunder’s G Leauge affiliate sits third in the Western Conference, with a game and a half cushion on the South Bay Lakers who are on the outside looking in on the playoff picture. 
• Keyontae Johnson is wrapping up his rookie season and feels he has grown a lot as a playmaker during the 2023-24 campaign. The two-way wing told Inside the Thunder he would soon get into the barking festivities that take place after Thunder wins.
• Ousmane Dieng posted 20 points and 11 rebounds while Lindy Waters III chipped in 29 points and 13 rebounds on Thursday against the Legends. 
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains doubtful for Friday’s tilt with the Suns after missing Wednesday’s clash with the Rockets due to a quad injury. 

Song of the Day: Cats in the Cradle by Harry Chapin. 

---

Want to join the discussion? Like Inside the Thunder on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Thunder news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.