The Oklahoma City Thunder practiced on Monday as they prepare to play the New Orleans Pelicans in the play-in tournament on Wednesday, April 12.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault spoke about facing the Pelicans and the defensive struggles they’ve given OKC in their four matchups this season.
Jalen Williams and Lu Dort also spoke with the media following practice, with the latter speaking about his playoff experience when he was a starting rookie wing in the 2020 NBA playoffs.
Let’s look at some of the best quotes and paraphrases as the Thunder prepares to play a win-or-go-home game against the Pelicans.
Mark Daigneault: “The biggest key today was just trying to get a high intensity practice, which we did.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 10, 2023
Mark Daigneault on OKC’s relative inexperience in postseason games: pic.twitter.com/xIXwxPrwRb
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 10, 2023
Mark Daigneault on the Pelicans: “The thing that stood out the most of how they guarded us — & specifically Shai — it’s been a team defense… They double team Shai more than anybody in the season.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 10, 2023
Mark Daigneault on if he’s talked to Billy Donovan as both coaches prepare for a Play-In game: “He texted me this morning, ‘Congratulations’ and that’s probably the only 5 seconds of his day he will spent not focusing on Toronto.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 10, 2023
Mark Daigneault on Brandon Ingram pic.twitter.com/cK18Jwsh25
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 10, 2023
Mark Daigneault on playing the Pelicans, who’ve doubled SGA more than any other team: pic.twitter.com/lVxu8bned4
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 10, 2023
Jalen Williams on today’s practice: “I think this is the hardest I’ve went personally in a really long time.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 10, 2023
Jalen Williams on the Play-In: “Being the youngest team, I think this is a really cool and unique experience for us to all experience this for the first time.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 10, 2023
Jalen Williams on what SGA & Dort have told them about playing in the postseason:
“Don’t be hesitant in this stuff. Just kinda treat it like a regular game… I think competing takes up a lot of mistakes, just going out there and playing hard.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 10, 2023
Lu Dort on playing in the Play-In: “I just feel like the competition and the whole vibe in the arena is gonna be different.” pic.twitter.com/EbcAcpFDt0
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 10, 2023
Lu Dort on signing autographs for fans before yesterday’s game: “It was just our way to thank them.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 10, 2023
