Why Thunder’s Mark Daigneault is expecting stiffer Suns test in Game 2

OKLAHOMA CITY — Although head coach Mark Daigneault and the Oklahoma City Thunder cruised to a 119-84 victory in Game 1 of their first-round series against the Phoenix Suns, he’s prepared for a strong response in Game 2. Rather than enter the playoffs as defending champions, the Thunder entered the postseason with a similar mindset as last year, trying to be the best verision of itself instead of thinking the NBA title is their’s to lose.

Coming off two intense Play-In Tournament games that led to locking in the 8th seed in the Western Conference, the Suns had a tough turnaround from their 111-96 win against the Golden State Warriors on Friday. Then, the Suns faced the Thunder at the Paycom Center on Sunday afternoon.

For Daigneault and the Thunder, coming off a week’s rest ahead of series opener, it was a much smoother transition into the postseason. For that reason, Daigneault is anticipating a fiestier Suns team in Game 2.

“This is a tough turnaround for them.. Now they get 2 days rest,” Daigneault said. “We’re gonna face a tough, rested team on Wednesday.”

The Thunder’s top-ranked defense held the Suns to less than 85 points on one end of the floor, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 25 points and seven assists led the offense. Jalen Williams finished with 22 points on 9-for-15 shooting, including two threes, seven rebounds, and six assists.

Mark Daigneault on Thunder’s Game 1 preparation for Suns

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault says his team took full advantage of a rare seven-day break between his team’s regular-season finale, and Game 1 of a best-of-7 series against the Suns. Dillon Brooks’ antics at the start of Game 1, keeping the ball away from Chet Holmgren before tip-off, went viral on social media before the All-Star forward scored 13 of 16 points in the first quarter.

Daigneault addressed the significance of extended practice time for the Thunder, and how hard his players prepared ahead of facing the Suns in Game 1.

“They’re all important,” Daigneault said after taking an 1-0 lead in the Thunder’s first-round series. “They’re all different. I do think it reinforces a good week of preparation. The guys did a great job with the week off. It was very unfamiliar. You never get a week off in between games. Guys did a great job staying present.”

Mark Daigneault on how important it was for the Thunder to take a 1-0 lead against the Suns: “They’re all important. They’re all different. I do think it reinforces a good week of preparation. The guys did a great job with the week off. It was very unfamiliar.

You never get a… pic.twitter.com/Ko08zXm1HU

— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) April 19, 2026

The Thunder will host the Suns in Game 2 at the Paycom Center on Wednesday.

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