'We reconnected to who we are:' Daigneault guides Thunder to 29-point playoff comeback

Mark Daigneault stood at the podium, still processing one of the most improbable wins in Thunder playoff history—a 29-point comeback that tied the second-largest in postseason history.

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“They punched us, and then they punched again,” Daigneault said, referring to the Memphis blistering start. “But credit to our guys. Our response, especially in a game that didn’t feel attainable at times, was incredible.”

The Thunder trailed big early, looking out of sync and, as Daigneault put it, “out of character.” But what happened after halftime was a masterclass in mental toughness and connectivity.

Coach Daigneault press conference below:

“We kind of reconnected to who we are,” Daigneault explained. “There was great communication on the bench,even when we were down 20. We didn’t try to break the game open in one shot. We just stayed present, stacked possessions, and trusted the process. And that shows the power of it.”

That reconnection was led in part by Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams.

“Chet had one point at halftime,” Daigneault recalled. “But his second-half performance was elite. He stayed locked in mentally, hit a massive three late, protected the rim, and battled on the glass with Edie. That’s growth. That’s leadership.”

J-Dub, as consistent as he’s been all season, matched Chet’s efficiency with timely offense and physical defense.

As the Thunder ramped up full-court pressure in the second half, Daigneault leaned into a four-guard lineup featuring Cason Wallace, Lu Dort, Alex, and J-Dub. The decision to go small wasn't out of desperation—it was calculated.

“We needed pressure. We needed scoring. And Chet at the five gives you both spacing and rim protection. That’s rare,” Daigneault said. “When what you’re doing isn’t working, you can’t just sit and watch. You’ve got to adjust.”

Still, even with the tactics and lineup changes, what stood out most to Daigneault was the team’s emotional resilience.

“We’re not surprised by these guys anymore. Always impressed, but not surprised,” he said. “They feel such a responsibility to one another. They’re the epitome of a team, one through 18.”

Asked about the halftime locker room vibe, Daigneault didn’t shy from the truth.

“There was frustration. And that’s good...there’s energy in anger,” he said. “But this group knows how to channel it. They got their feet back under them, recalibrated, and changed the game together.”

And they did it in hostile territory, against a team that had them reeling and a crowd that sensed blood.

“It builds your muscle,” Daigneault concluded. “Even if we didn’t win, the way we stood up, together, in adversity—that’s who we are.”

Now the Thunder have a chance to finish off a wounded Memphis team on Saturday.