Category: Practice

Chet Holmgren anxious for playoff debut, excited to see home crowd

Chet Holmgren anxious for playoff debut, excited to see home crowd.

Considering how young the Oklahoma City Thunder are, Game 1 against the New Orleans Pelicans will be the first home playoff game for most of the roster.

In the Thunder’s final practice before their playoff debut, Chet Holmgren described himself as anxious to get to a tip following a week of rest as the first seed.

When asked about the playoff shirts fans will sport during Game 1, Holmgren was excited about the atmosphere. The rookie 7-foot center understands the homecourt advantage the OKC crowd provides in the postseason.

“They didn’t bring it back because of me. I think they brought it back because of the playoffs,” Holmgren said about the playoff shirts. “If they didn’t, I’d probably have a word.”

What are Holmgren’s expectations for the Game 1 environment?

“A sea of white (shirts), man,” Holmgren said. “Lots of people standing up … Deafening sound.”

If the Thunder have a deep playoff run, the 21-year-old will need to play a massive part in it. Holmgren rounds out one of the best trios in the league with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Mark Daigneault discusses playoff series against Pelicans, Zion Williamson’s absence

Mark Daigneault discusses playoff series against Pelicans, Zion Williamson’s absence.

After nearly a week of waiting, the Oklahoma City Thunder finally learned their first-round opponent will be the New Orleans Pelicans following the play-in tournament.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault talked about the matchup following Saturday’s practice. It was the final practice before the start of the playoffs for the first-seeded Thunder.

“They’ve strung together a really good year again. A team we have our respect for,” Daigneault said on the Pelicans. “I’m expecting a huge challenge for this series,”

The short-handed Pelicans will likely play the first round without Zion Williamson. The two-time All-Star suffered a hamstring strain in their play-in tournament loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

It’s a massive blow that can alter the series. After battling health issues the last two years, Williamson has enjoyed a career season. He’ll miss at least two weeks.

Against the Lakers, Williamson scored a season-high 40 points before his leg injury. Without him, the Pelicans will rely on Brandon Ingram and C.J. McCollum to make up for their best player’s absence.

“It changes them significantly. He’s just such a unique player,” Daigneault said about Wiliamson’s absence.” There’s a really good version of them without him and there’s a really good version with him.

“I think they become a little bit more space-oriented, pick-and-roll oriented on offense. Defensively, they’re more light-sized and they do a lot more switching.”

The Thunder will enter the series fully healthy and rested. Meanwhile, the short-handed Pelicans are fresh off two highly intense postseason matchups.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Jalen Williams talks about bond with Thunder fans ahead of home playoff games

Jalen Williams talks about bond with Thunder fans ahead of home playoff games.

Before the Oklahoma City Thunder’s regular-season finale win, Jalen Williams addressed the home crowd and thanked them for their continuous support throughout the year.

Before he handed the microphone back, Williams closed out with a statement that sent chills down the spine of the fanbase: “Welcome back Loud City.”

With the Thunder’s first NBA playoff game set to happen on Sunday, April 21, it was an appropriate sendoff to the regular season. As the year has progressed, the home crowds have grown louder.

Expect the home crowds to return to previous levels of chaos by the time Game 1 tips. Williams has been a fan favorite since his arrival to OKC in 2022 and his interactions with the fanbase have only strengthened that relationship.

When discussing his relationship with the fans, Williams talked about how much of an advantage they can bring in a playoff setting as the Thunder hope to collect their first playoff series win since 2016.

“It’s a really cool bond that I’m kinda growing with the fanbase. Something I want to keep going through and creating,” William said. “It’s fun interacting with them. It’s super loud all the time.”

During the 2010s, the Thunder crowd was widely recognized as one of the best homecourt advantage in the playoffs. Considering this is the first of likely several postseason trips for this core, that atmosphere is set to return to OKC.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Recap: OKC Thunder’s Friday practice (Feb. 9)

Here’s a quick recap of the Thunder’s Friday practice:

The Oklahoma City Thunder held practice on Friday as they welcomed in veteran wing Gordon Hayward a day after acquiring him in the NBA trade deadline.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault and starter Jalen Williams spoke about what Hayward brings to the table along with saying goodbye to Tre Mann, Vasilije Micic and Davis Bertans in the deal.

Daigneault also provided a critical injury update on Hayward and when he could make his debut for the Thunder.

Here’s a quick recap of the Thunder’s Friday practice as they enjoy the last day of their three-day break before traveling on the road to take on the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.

Recap: OKC Thunder’s Tuesday practice (Dec. 19)

A quick recap of the Thunder’s Tuesday practice:

The Oklahoma City Thunder held practice on Tuesday following their blowout win over the depleted Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.

The 19-point win improved OKC to 17-8 and gave it sole possession of second place in the Western Conference.

The Thunder are off for two days before they welcome in the red-hot LA Clippers, who’ve won eight consecutive games, for a game on Thursday

Following practice, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault and starter Lu Dort spoke to the media. Daigneault talked about league officiating getting accustomed to Chet Holmgren’s rim protection, and Dort talked about his game outfit in OKC’s win over the Denver Nuggets.

Here’s a quick recap of the Thunder’s Tuesday practice:

Recap: OKC Thunder’s Tuesday practice (Dec. 12)

Recap: OKC Thunder’s Tuesday practice (Dec. 12).

The Oklahoma City Thunder held practice on Tuesday a day after their 134-120 win over the short-handed Utah Jazz.

After the win, OKC now sits at 15-7 and in sole possession of second place in the Western Conference standings. The Thunder will now enjoy a couple of days off before their road game against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, Dec. 14.

Following practice, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault and rookie Cason Wallace spoke with the media.

Daigneault talked about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s growth to superstardom while Wallace reflected back on his rookie season thus far. Here’s a quick recap of the Thunder’s Tuesday practice:

Recap: OKC Thunder’s Sunday practice (Dec. 10)

Here’s a quick recap of the Thunder’s Sunday practice:

The Oklahoma City Thunder held practice on Sunday two days after their exciting overtime win over the Golden State Warriors.

After winning the last three matchups against Golden State, OKC improved its record to 14-7 on the season and sit in sole possession of second place in the Western Conference standings.

The Thunder now prepare for the first regular-season matchup against the Utah Jazz on Monday, Dec. 11.

Following practice, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault and second-year forward Jaylin Williams spoke with the media.

Daigneault gave extensive thoughts on collecting his 100th career win and Williams talked about supporting his alma mater by attending Arkansas’ loss to Oklahoma at Tulsa on Saturday.

Here’s a quick recap of the Thunder’s Sunday practice:

Recap: OKC Thunder’s Tuesday practice (Dec. 5)

Here’s a recap of what Mark Daigneault and Chet Holmgren said after today’s practice:

The Oklahoma City Thunder held practice on Tuesday as it marked the final day of a rare three-day break.

The Thunder will travel on the road to take on the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, Dec. 6 — a game that was recently added to their schedule following the conclusion of group play for the in-season tournament.

Following practice, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault and Chet Holmgren spoke with the media.

In their sessions, Daigneault talked about the plan for Tre Mann and others in terms of their current G League assignments and Josh Giddey’s efficiency struggles.

Meanwhile, Holmgren talked about winning Rookie of the Month for October and November and how he found out about the news.

Here’s a quick recap of the Thunder’s Tuesday practice:

Recap: OKC Thunder’s Monday practice (Dec. 4)

Here’s a quick recap of the Thunder’s Monday practice:

The Oklahoma City Thunder held practice on Monday as they enjoy a rare three-day break during the knockout stage of the 2023-24 in-season tournament.

After a thrilling win over the Dallas Mavericks that saw them survive a 30-0 run, the Thunder will next play on Wednesday, Dec. 6 against the Houston Rockets.

Following practice, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault and starting forward Jalen Williams spoke with the media.

Daigneault talked about what separated them from the average young team while Williams retold the absurdity of winning a game despite giving up a historic 30-0 run in the fourth quarter.

Here’s a recap quick of the Thunder’s practice: