The Oklahoma City Thunder are one win away from returning to the NBA Finals, and head coach Mark Daigneault pointed to mindset, aggression and trust after his team’s 127-114 win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals on Tuesday night.
Two days after Oklahoma City scored just 82 points in a Game 4 blowout loss, the Thunder responded with 127 points at Paycom Center and grabbed a 3-2 series lead. For Daigneault, the bounce-back began with what he called a familiar process.
“This team does a great job of just coming back the next day in a very neutral way, taking whatever the lessons are, applying them forward, but then getting ourselves into the next opportunity,” Daigneault said. “I thought we did that really well tonight.”
The Thunder coach avoided overreacting to the Game 4 defeat, stressing that difficult nights are part of long playoff series.
“If you look at any playoff series that goes to six games at least, there’s going to be some tough games,” he said. “We had a tough game the other night.”
Daigneault repeatedly returned to one theme after Game 5: Oklahoma City’s urgency. The Thunder shot 48% from the field, moved the ball effectively and had 82 points before the third quarter was even four minutes old.
“I thought we were first to the fight tonight, on both ends,” Daigneault said. “We weren’t the other night, and so that’s why that game went the way it did and I think that’s why tonight went the way it did.”
He added: “I just loved the way that we approached the game on both ends of the floor. We attacked the game. And we’re rewarded for that.”
The Thunder also received a major boost from rookie guard Jared McCain, who made his first playoff start with Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell sidelined. McCain scored 20 points despite a cold start.
Daigneault praised both the rookie’s confidence and composure.
“He was really good,” the coach said. “His pop early was excellent. He kept himself in the game, had that flurry in the third and then the flurry again in the fourth. So, great mental toughness.”
“I never take it for granted when somebody steps into a role like that in a game like this,” he added. “But certainly not surprised. He’s got great moxy and confidence.”
League MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 32 points and nine assists after an uneven opening stretch. Daigneault said one of the guard’s biggest strengths is his ability to settle into games instead of forcing offense.
“One of the things that I always marvel at with him is his ability to course correct inside of a game,” Daigneault said. “He obviously didn’t have his fastball early, but he stays so present. His confidence never wavered.”
Daigneault also highlighted Gilgeous-Alexander’s steady temperament after Oklahoma City entered the game facing pressure following a 21-point loss in San Antonio.
“One of the things about him is he’s so consistent,” Daigneault said. “His temperament’s the same all the time. His approach is the same all the time.”
The coach said that consistency reflects the identity of a Thunder roster that won 64 regular-season games and has leaned on continuity during deep playoff runs.
“When we don’t play well, we look in the mirror,” Daigneault said. “We don’t make excuses. We don’t point fingers.”
With Game 6 set for Thursday in San Antonio, Daigneault kept the focus simple.
“Game 6 will be a blank canvas and a new day,” he said.
