Mark Daigneault Reflects as OKC Outlasts Sacramento 113–99
Mark Daigneault emphasized the Thunder’s toughness and competitive edge following their 113–99 win over Sacramento. He admitted the game wasn’t a perfect display of execution but praised his team for staying composed through a demanding stretch. Daigneault pointed to crucial hustle moments—like offensive rebounds and high-energy plays—that helped OKC pull ahead despite some shooting struggles. He also highlighted the strong second-half defensive effort that slowed the Kings’ offense and allowed the Thunder to regain control. Overall, he was pleased with the team’s determination and collective fight regardless of the imperfections.
After a sluggish start, Oklahoma City found its rhythm and secured another victory over Sacramento, improving to 15–1 on the season and sweeping the Kings for the third time this year. The win marked OKC’s eighth straight triumph against Sacramento. Both teams were short-handed, with the Kings missing Domantas Sabonis and OKC again without Jalen Williams and Aaron Wiggins.
Despite their outstanding start to the season, the Thunder continue to show both strengths and areas needing refinement. Here are three takeaways from the win:
Three-Point Shooting Slips Again
OKC’s improvement from deep hit a setback as they made just four threes on 19% shooting in the first half and finished at roughly 26%. The cold shooting kept the Kings close early, and continued inconsistency from beyond the arc could cost them games down the road.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Dominates Once More
Gilgeous-Alexander extended his streak to 88 games with 20+ points, posting 33 points, eight assists, and three rebounds. With Jalen Williams still unavailable, OKC leaned heavily on their star guard, who continues to deliver at an MVP-caliber level and remains among the league’s top scorers.
Defense Powers Another Victory
Even without their usual offensive flow, the Thunder’s defense handled business, holding Sacramento under 100 points. OKC disrupted the Kings with nine steals and ten blocks—several courtesy of Chet Holmgren—and once again used their defensive identity to fuel their 15th win of the season. OKC’s defense continues to be a reliable asset as they maintain their dominant start to the season.
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