OKLAHOMA CITY — After an unprecedented 2024-25 common season, head coach Mark Daigneault and his Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder made NBA historical past of their 131-80 series-opening blowout win towards the Memphis Grizzlies. The Thunder’s 51-point victory is the most important Recreation 1 win the affiliation has ever seen. Nonetheless, on Tuesday, Daigneault is ready to see a a lot totally different opponent in Recreation 2.
After Sunday’s historic win, Daigneault reminded reporters of what the Grizzlies needed to overcome to earn a first-round collection towards the Thunder, and the way shortly Memphis can adapt between now and Recreation 2.
“We did a very good job tonally to begin the sport. We had been able to play, thought we had been tight in our stuff, and like I mentioned, set a very good, however they performed 36 hours in the past, and had an emotional recreation,” Daigneault mentioned. “Needed to flip round and play at midday at this time, which is a extremely powerful turnaround. So, they’re going to be higher Tuesday. I believed we did a extremely good job, however I don’t assume we will anticipate that from them. They’re going to play lots higher than that.
“They’re going to be brisker. They’re big-time rivals. So, we have to be able to play on Tuesday,” Daigneault concluded.
Mark Daigneault on Thunder’s historic Recreation 1 win:
“They performed 36 hours in the past. Had an emotional recreation. Needed to turnaround and play at midday at this time, which is a extremely powerful turnaround. They’re going to be higher… we did a extremely good job however… we have to be able to play on Tuesday” pic.twitter.com/g3ghrxA5C0
— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) April 20, 2025
Jalen Williams, Thunder ship a Recreation 2 message in blowout
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Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams says that an elite crew understands its opponent in a best-of-7 collection by sending a message for the subsequent recreation amidst a blowout win. That was his crew’s strategy within the second half on Sunday after the Thunder constructed a 32-point halftime lead.
Williams led the Thunder to a 10-0 run to begin the second half, which ballooned to a 24-9 run that finally led to a 49-point benefit (112-63), heading into the ultimate body. Just like Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault’s sentiment, Williams says it was his crew sending a message to the Grizzlies earlier than Recreation 2.
“They simply performed like 36 hours in the past,” Williams mentioned. “So, they’re type of coming in right here. Nonetheless should take a little bit little bit of this win, with like, they’re going to be manner higher Recreation 2. So, we’re attempting to not give them lots of life with reference to that. That’s a extremely good crew over there. Recreation 2 goes to be utterly totally different. We’re type of competing with ourselves in a manner to ensure we’re sharper for Recreation 2 as a result of we all know what we’re going to get from them.”
Williams led the Thunder with 20 factors, six assists, and 5 rebounds. Chet Holmgren completed with a double-double (19 factors, 10 rebounds), and Aaron Wiggins led the bench with 19 factors.