In the final practice before the Oklahoma City Thunder’s play-in tournament game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander headlined those who spoke.
The trio of Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey and head coach Mark Daigneault spoke with the media the day before their do-or-die matchup against the Pelicans in the 9th vs. 10th play-in game.
Gilgeous-Alexander and Giddey spoke about the Pelicans, specifically Brandon Ingram and Dyson Daniels.
This marked the second of two consecutive practices for the Thunder as Daigneault, Jalen Williams and Lu Dort spoke in Monday’s practice.
Here are the biggest takeaways from Tuesday’s practice before the Thunder prepare to travel to New Orleans.
SGA the last player remaining in the final practice before OKC’s Play-In game against the Pelicans
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 11, 2023
Josh Giddey: “It’s exciting. The group’s ready. We had a good practice today. Guys will be ready for tomorrow night.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 11, 2023
Josh Giddey said they’ve really focused on ball security over these last two practices: “(The Pelicans) were the team that probably gave us the most problems turnover wise.”
OKC committed 16 TOs per game in its 4 matchups vs. Pelicans this season
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 11, 2023
Josh Giddey said he talked to Dyson Daniels last night about their Play-In game
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 11, 2023
SGA: “At the end of the night, once the ball tips, it’ll be our habits vs. their habits and who can oppose their will on the game more.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 11, 2023
SGA on the Pelicans’ double-teams
Daigneault mentioned yesterday that the Pelicans doubled SGA more than any other team this season: pic.twitter.com/gue7MwJKxv
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 11, 2023
SGA on Herb Jones’ defense: “He knows where he hangs his hat every night — it’s on that end of the floor. He gives it his all. Tries to make his plays on that end of the floor.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 11, 2023
SGA on fans waiting for them at the airport late at night last week: pic.twitter.com/Iz1Bp7thiT
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 11, 2023
SGA on making the postseason with this team:
“It’s fun. The reason why it’s fun is not because we (outperformed) expectations, I think it’s because we have so much fun together on and off the court. It’s almost like being in the NBA with your brothers and family.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 11, 2023
SGA on what it’s like playing in a postseason atmosphere: “It’s gonna be exciting. It’s gonna be electric. There’s gonna be nerves. Building’s gonna be loud.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 11, 2023
SGA on how he’d like his rookie teammates to play tomorrow: “I want them to play free. I want them to play confident and be aggressive… Our rookies are more than talented and they’ll be fine.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 11, 2023
Mark Daigneault: “I think (we’re) prepared. Now we gotta go out there tomorrow and let it rip.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 11, 2023
Mark Daigneault on Jaylin Williams talking about his passing ability: pic.twitter.com/HEX7k0nOB7
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) April 11, 2023
Mark Daigneault on the job Willie Green has done in New Orleans pic.twitter.com/egBK9VJ9Lc
— Joe Mussatto (@joe_mussatto) April 11, 2023
