Mark Daigneault reveals how OKC ‘maximizes’ effort during dominant start

For the head coach Mark Daigneaultthe Oklahoma City ThunderA dominant 17-1 start is a testament to the standard set by a team that is coming off its first championship with something to prove. As Chet Holmgren said: Thunder still weighs for more in 2025-26 and far from a finished product.

Daigneault says the Thunder have he exemplified the standard of the franchise in both tight games and amid one-sided leads.

“We’re in Utah the other night, and J-Will is jumping in the stands. We’re up by 30,” Daigneault said. “Isaiah Joe, I mentioned after the game the other night, he got two transition tips back – he’s like chasing the ball and passing the ball from the back. Those are great indicators for me because it’s a team that plays by standard, not by score.

“And we have to be that team if we want to maximize ourselves and be the best version of this team that we can be. And the guys did a great job of that,” Daigneault concluded.

Mark Daigneault and the Thunder’s differential average of +16.9 points leads the NBA. The Thunder outscored opponents by 12.9 points per game last season, the largest average margin of victory in league history. Oklahoma City’s defensive rating of 102.8 also leads the association, with the Dallas Mavericks a distant second at 110.3.

The Thunder’s dominant 17-1 start to the season is the best the association has seen since the Golden State Warriors’ 17-3 record in 2015-16, which set the record for the winningest regular season in league history.

Chet Holmgren gets real on the Thunder’s incredible success

The The Thunder are 17-1 without All-Star Jalen Williams. The depth of the defending champions, led by reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, and the supporting cast, is making significant strides in its growth. At the same time, veterans like Jaylin Williams, Isaiah Joe and Alex Caruso have set an example for second- and third-year players, including Kaison Wallace and Ajay Mitchell.

Holmgren reminded reporters that many goals in the career of Thunder players did not end in last year’s NBA Finals.

“We don’t have anybody on the team that sits back and reminisces about the great career they had,” Holmgren said. “I think everyone on the team is still chasing and striving for more. The championship wasn’t the last check on their bucket list.”

The Thunder will host the Timberwolves on Wednesday, looking for their 18th win in 19 tries.