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Thunder’s Mark Daigneault eyeing major fix after Game 1 defeat to Spurs
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- Thunder’s Mark Daigneault eyeing major fix after Game 1 defeat to Spurs
Thunder's Mark Daigneault eyeing major fix after Game 1 defeat to Spurs appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Oklahoma City Thunder knew they had to bring their A-game in the Western Conference Finals, what with the San Antonio Spurs representing a major step up in the level of opposition they're facing in this year's playoffs.
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After all, this Spurs team has already beaten OKC four times this season. And for a second there, it looked as though OKC was going to escape with a win in Game 1 despite a rough shooting night from the recently crowned back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander .
However, the Thunder ran into a dominant Victor Wembanyama , who took over in double overtime to lead the Spurs to a 122-115 victory. Wembanyama recorded 41 points, 24 rebounds, and three blocked shots, and the typically elite Thunder defense couldn't slow him down in double OT — with Wemby representing a mismatch problem that even defensive whiz Alex Caruso couldn't solve.
But after the game, it looked as though Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault was looking more towards what his team could do better on offense — especially with Gilgeous-Alexander struggling to the tune of 24 points on 7-23 shooting from the field.
"We've got to get better all the way around – the attacks, we've got to get more balanced… There's room for us to grow in the series for sure," Daigneault said in his postgame presser, via Thunder reporter Nick Gallo.
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Perhaps the Thunder need more floor spacing, or maybe they need to provide more of a threat towards the basket. It's not quite clear what adjustments in particular Daigneault has in mind.
But aside from Wembanyama's dominance, the Thunder defense actually did a pretty good job. They forced 21 turnovers and held San Antonio to just 43 percent shooting from the field and just a little over 30 percent from deep.
Perhaps getting Chet Holmgren more involved on offense after his cold night in Game 1 would do the Thunder a world of good, especially when he starred in their second-round series win over the Los Angeles Lakers .
Related: Thunder's Game 1 loss to Spurs has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looking at the past
Related: Thunder's Jalen Williams says obvious part about Victor Wembanyama out loud
