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Breaking News from the Bench to the Bleachers

Mark Daigneault

How Thunder’s Chet Holmgren put NBA on notice after Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic duels

OKLAHOMA CITY — The first week of the 2026-27 NBA season held no punches, with marquee matchups between Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs and Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, and Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Chet Holmgren passed the test with flying colors. Holmgren held Wembanyama to 12 points on Opening Night, as […] The post How Thunder’s Chet Holmgren put NBA on notice after Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic duels appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Mark Daigneault praises Thunder for ‘muddy’ win over Nuggets

OKLAHOMA CITY — After the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the San Antoino Spurs on Tuesday, head coach Mark Daigneault watched his team overcome a poor shooting performance to top the Denver Nuggets 96-84 in their home opener at the Paycom Center. From limiting one All-Star center in Victor Wembanyama, the Thunder contained Nuggets All-Star center […] The post Mark Daigneault praises Thunder for ‘muddy’ win over Nuggets appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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How Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander losing 20-point streak earned extra admiration from Mark Daigneault

OKLAHOMA CITY — With 1:43 left toward the end of a 96-84 win against the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander decided it was time to end his streak of scoring 20+ points in 141 consecutive regular-season games, head coach Mark Daigneault revealed. Amidst a cold shooting night, Gilgeous-Alexander found his offensive rhythm […] The post How Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander losing 20-point streak earned extra admiration from Mark Daigneault appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama declines to speak to media after Game 5 loss to Thunder

Victor Wembanyama has competed with the heart of a champion for much of the 2026 NBA playoffs, but in the biggest game of his young NBA career, the San Antonio Spurs big man struggled immensely. He looked extremely uncomfortable offensively and failed to make his presence known on the glass. An unpleasant media session presumably […] The post Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama declines to speak to media after Game 5 loss to Thunder appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Mark Daigneault reveals why Jared McCain got the start in Thunder’s Game 5 vs Spurs

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain earned his first career playoff start in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, and didn’t disappoint head coach Mark Daigneault. McCain finished with 20 points as the Thunder’s third-leading scorer in a 127-114 win at the Paycom Center. For Daigneault, […] The post Mark Daigneault reveals why Jared McCain got the start in Thunder’s Game 5 vs Spurs appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Thunder’s Mark Daigneault credits Chet Holmgren for having ‘the gas early’ in Game 5

The Oklahoma City Thunder need just one more win to make the NBA Finals for the second year in a row. The reigning NBA champs took Game 5 of their 2026 Western Conference Finals series against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night to the tune of a 127-114 score at Paycom Center in Oklahoma […] The post Thunder’s Mark Daigneault credits Chet Holmgren for having ‘the gas early’ in Game 5 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Mark Daigneault’s silver lining from Thunder losing Game 4 against the Spurs

For Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, his team is approaching the point of his Western Conference Finals series against the San Antonio Spurs, where the team that wants it most will most likely win two of the next three games. After losing Game 4, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander discussed lessons from the loss in hopes […] The post Mark Daigneault’s silver lining from Thunder losing Game 4 against the Spurs appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Mark Daigneault’s blunt response to Thunder’s struggles in Game 4 vs Spurs

In their most impressive performance of the Western Conference Finals, the San Antonio Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 to even their best-of-7 series, 2-2. After the Thunder’s 103-82 loss to the Spurs, head coach Mark Daigneault addressed his team’s underwhelming approach, including 17 turnovers and a disjointed offense. For a Thunder […] The post Mark Daigneault’s blunt response to Thunder’s struggles in Game 4 vs Spurs appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Thunder’s Mark Daigneault had hilarious exchange with reporter after Game 4 loss

The Oklahoma City Thunder, for as elite of a roster as they have a built, are still susceptible to the occasional off-night. Any team in the NBA is, regardless of caliber. But the Thunder have been so dominant that it can be a bit stunning to fans when they struggle the way they did on […] The post Thunder’s Mark Daigneault had hilarious exchange with reporter after Game 4 loss appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Thunder’s Mark Daigneault sends sincere message to Mitch Johnson before Game 4

With the Oklahoma City Thunder preparing for Game 4 against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night, head coach Mark Daigneault shouts out his opponent, Mitch Johnson. As the Thunder can’t take it lightly against the Spurs, as the team is up 2-1 in the series, Daigneault pays his respects to Johnson before Game 4. […] The post Thunder’s Mark Daigneault sends sincere message to Mitch Johnson before Game 4 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Thunder’s Ajay Mitchell ruled out for Game 4 vs. Spurs due to calf injury

If the Oklahoma City Thunder defeat the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, legions of NBA fans will anoint them the two-time reigning champions. OKC will not and should not declare such an outcome, but it will regain the aura of invincibility that some people thought was fading following an […] The post Thunder’s Ajay Mitchell ruled out for Game 4 vs. Spurs due to calf injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Thunder Coach Drops Mysterious Ajay Mitchell Injury Message Before Official Update

The Oklahoma City Thunder keep finding ways to stay afloat in a brutal playoff run, but another injury wrinkle has added a layer of uncertainty.Ajay Mitchell, who has become one of OKC’s most useful young players this postseason, exited Game 3 against the Spurs without a clear diagnosis. For a team already dealing with key […] The post Thunder Coach Drops Mysterious Ajay Mitchell Injury Message Before Official Update appeared first on HEAVY.

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Stephen A. Smith wonders if Thunder figured out Victor Wembanyama in Game 3

The San Antonio Spurs lost a tough Game 3 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday. San Antonio is now down in the NBA’s Western Conference Finals, 2-1. ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith thinks the Thunder might have a good strategy to stop Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama. “The physicality that Oklahoma City was throwing […] The post Stephen A. Smith wonders if Thunder figured out Victor Wembanyama in Game 3 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reveals how Thunder overcame 15-0 Game 3 start

The Oklahoma City Thunder stormed back to defeat the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the NBA’s Western Conference Finals Friday. The Spurs were out to a 15-0 start, before the Thunder finally got going. Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander revealed how his team got back into it. “We just got to go out […] The post Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reveals how Thunder overcame 15-0 Game 3 start appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Thunder HC Mark Daigneault commends Jared McCain’s playoff confidence

Mark Daigneault had immense praise for Jared McCain following his excellent performance off the bench in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Game 3 win over the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals on Friday night. McCain is going through the second year of his young NBA career, his first with the Thunder. He started […] The post Thunder HC Mark Daigneault commends Jared McCain’s playoff confidence appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Thunder bench makes NBA history in Game 3 vs. Spurs

There was some consternation for the Oklahoma City Thunder heading into Game 3 of their Western Conference Finals clash against the San Antonio Spurs. Jalen Williams was set to miss that all-important clash due to a hamstring injury, which has been a continuation of all the problems he’s suffered through this season. And to start […] The post Thunder bench makes NBA history in Game 3 vs. Spurs appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jared McCain take down Spurs in Game 3

The Oklahoma City Thunder have found themselves in quite the dogfight against the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 Western Conference Finals, as expected. These two teams emerged as the cream of the crop during the regular season, and it’s translated to some heated action on the court. On Friday night, in Game 3, the […] The post Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jared McCain take down Spurs in Game 3 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Isaiah Hartenstein reveals the ‘promise’ that led to him joining the Thunder after beating Spurs in Game 2

OKLAHOMA CITY — When Isaiah Hartenstein agreed to a three-year, $87 million contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2024, GM Sam Presti made a promise to his new center. It had nothing to do with any assigned role from coach Mark Daigneault. Plucking the experienced 7-footer from the New York Knicks to add Hartenstein […] The post Isaiah Hartenstein reveals the ‘promise’ that led to him joining the Thunder after beating Spurs in Game 2 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Thunder’s Isaiah Hartenstein shares true feelings on big Game 2 minutes swing

Isaiah Hartenstein was left ruminating on his miscues after being benched in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s loss in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. Hartenstein was manhandled by Victor Wembanyama, who had a field day with 41 points and 24 rebounds in their nail-biting escape in double overtime. So […] The post Thunder’s Isaiah Hartenstein shares true feelings on big Game 2 minutes swing appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Thunder’s Mark Daigneault shouts out ‘monster competitor’ after Game 2 win vs. Spurs

The Oklahoma City Thunder made sure that they would not disappoint the home crowd for the second time as they defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 122-113, in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on Wednesday. The Thunder tied the best-of-seven series at 1-1. Game 3 will move to Frost Bank Center […] The post Thunder’s Mark Daigneault shouts out ‘monster competitor’ after Game 2 win vs. Spurs appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Thunder’s Mark Daigneault breaks down why he loves Isaiah Hartenstein

After only playing Isaiah Hartenstein for 12 minutes in Game 1, the Oklahoma City Thunder had to turn to their traditional center in a major way in Game 2, scoring 10 points in 27 minutes of action while working the boards and playing physical defense against the San Antonio Spurs. Discussing what Hartenstein brings to […] The post Thunder’s Mark Daigneault breaks down why he loves Isaiah Hartenstein appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Thunder Unlocks Key Matchup Against Wembanyama in Game 2

The OKC Thunder contained Victor Wembanyama in Game 2 en route to tying the Western Conference Finals series, 122-113, on Wednesday night.  Among the adjustments the Thunder made in the game was putting Isaiah Hartenstein on Wembanyama, giving the Spurs superstar a big body to deal with for most stretches of the game.  Thunder head […] The post Thunder Unlocks Key Matchup Against Wembanyama in Game 2 appeared first on HEAVY.

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