Thunder Coach Mark Daigneault Expresses Satisfaction with Offensive Process Despite Low Scoring in Game 5
In a post-game interview, Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault expressed his satisfaction with the team’s offensive process despite their low scoring in Game 5 against the Dallas Mavericks. The Thunder only managed to score 92 points, their lowest in nine playoff games, but Daigneault believed that they were able to find some cracks in the Mavericks’ defense and make them uncomfortable. He mentioned that the team had been facing hurdles on the offensive end in the past few games and that they were finally able to create some rotation and discomfort for the Mavericks.
The Thunder’s offensive struggles were evident in their previous game, where they escaped with a win despite poor shooting. They went 6-of-17 in the restricted area and 7-of-27 on 3-pointers, relying heavily on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s mid-range shots and free throws. This inability to rev up their offensive engine led Daigneault to make a significant lineup change, benching Josh Giddey for the first time in his career and starting Isaiah Joe instead.
The lineup change seemed promising in the opening minutes of Game 5 as Joe made a wide-open 3-pointer and Gilgeous-Alexander scored at the rim for the first time since Game 3. However, the Mavericks quickly regained the lead and never trailed again. The Thunder struggled to build momentum throughout the game, missing 30 of their 40 3-point attempts.
The Thunder’s shooting struggles were evident in the performances of players like Isaiah Joe, who missed six of his next seven 3-pointers after his initial make. Other players like Cason Wallace, Chet Holmgren, Luguentz Dort, and Jalen Williams also struggled from beyond the arc. Williams, in particular, has been a significant part of the problem, being the team’s second-leading scorer but failing to explode in this series. He has been shooting poorly, making only 41 percent of his shots and 31 percent of his 3-pointers. Holmgren, the team’s third-leading scorer, has also struggled to find his shot against the speed and length of the Mavericks.
Despite the team’s poor shooting, Williams defended their offensive performance, stating that he felt their offense was really good and that they just didn’t make shots. Daigneault also echoed this sentiment, mentioning that he believed their offense was on the right track and that they had made progress in terms of attacks and flow. He acknowledged that it took them a couple of games in this series to calibrate their offense but felt that they were finally finding their rhythm.
Gilgeous-Alexander has been the most productive player for the Thunder, consistently scoring and finding cracks in the Mavericks’ defense. However, he mentioned that he often faced congested defenses that collapsed on him, making it difficult for him to score or create opportunities for his teammates. Despite his efforts, none of his teammates have reached 21 points through five games of this series.
As the Thunder head to Dallas for Game 6, they are on the brink of elimination but remain hopeful. Daigneault emphasized that this is their first playoff run as a team and that every player struggles at different times over the course of a series. They will have the opportunity to put their offensive progress to the test in Game 6, where they will need to score more points to survive and potentially force a Game 7.
Overall, despite their low scoring in Game 5, the Thunder remain optimistic about their offensive process and believe that they are on the right track. They have identified areas for improvement and will continue to make adjustments as they fight to extend their playoff run.