Thunder Coach Urges Team to Refocus After Game 3 Loss: “Winnable Games Can’t Slip Away”
Down 2-1 in the series, the OKC Thunder are facing adversity—but head coach Mark Daigneault isn’t ready to hit the panic button. In a passionate address following their Game 3 loss, Daigneault challenged his team to clean up the self-inflicted mistakes that cost them a game many believed was within reach.
“This wasn’t about getting outplayed—it was about giving it away,” Daigneault said, referencing three stolen inbounds passes by Indiana’s T.J. McConnell and other avoidable errors. “If we’re serious about chasing a title, these are the games we simply cannot afford to lose.”
Despite the frustration, the Thunder have plenty of reasons to remain optimistic. They’ve been resilient all season long, dropping back-to-back games just twice and never losing three straight—even during the playoffs. The pattern of bouncing back after setbacks has defined their season.
“It’s not about toxic positivity—it’s about trust in who we are,” Daigneault added. “We fix what we can control, and we fight.”
Game 4 becomes a pivotal moment in OKC’s championship push, not just for the series, but for proving their identity as a team that answers the call when it matters most.
