The Oklahoma City Thunder have made the NBA Play-in Tournament. This marks a return to the postseason for the OKC Thunder after a two-year hiatus. So how did the Thunder roster react to this development?
On Saturday, after the team clinched the tenth seed, we talked with Josh Giddey at practice after the Mavericks fell to the Bulls to clinch a postseason spot for the young Thunder team. Giddey said, “We have done it the right way. Our guys have played hard. We never put a cap on what we could do as a team.”
OKC Thunder players react to the team making the NBA Play-in tournament.
The Oklahoma City Thunder held a practice on Monday afternoon after their regular season finale. With two days to prepare for the NBA Play-in tournament, we now know their opponent. Given the nature of the Thunder resting their regulars on Sunday, this is the first time we have spoken with the team since finding out who they will match up with in the NBA Play-in tournament.
Head coach Mark Daigneault said, “It’s important to understand we are still young. This is not an endpoint, this is another opportunity along the way.”
He is correct. The Thunder still represents the youngest team in the NBA, with an average age of 22.8. They are the second-youngest team in league history. Only older than last year’s Thunder squad.
The Bench boss also explains that this is like their first playoff experience. “Game six of that series was just as much of a Game seven as Game Seven was. We had to win to extend the series .” That is a familiar path for this week. The OKC Thunder have to win two games to make their way into the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets.
Oklahoma City has the difficult task of defending Brandon Ingram, who Mark Daigneault said is such a good player given that he can burn you on most things that you are willing to give up to other players.
Jalen Williams discussed how intense today’s practice is “That is probably the hardest I have gone in practice in a long time.” he elaborated on the nature of an NBA schedule; it is hard to have intense practices because you typically play the next day or travel.
Lu Dort mentioned how despite playing in a game seven of the NBA playoffs, this would be a different atmosphere for him. His rookie playoff experience was in the bubble, and now the team will head on the road into a difficult environment.
On Wednesday night, the Thunder will head to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans.