Why Mark Daigneault was surprisingly impressed with Jalen Williams’ OKC season debut

On a 123-119 streak, coach Mark Daigneault looked at his Oklahoma City Thunder All-star forward Jaylen Williams remains steady in his regular season debut in the NBA Cup game against the Phoenix Suns. Daigneault says Williams looked almost as if he had been with the team all along, amid a league-leading 19-1 start to the 2025-26 season.

Williams helped the Thunder extend their winning streak to 11 as they advanced to the NBA Cup semifinals after going a perfect 4-0 in West Group A play. After the win, Marc Daigneault gushed over Williams’ effort in Thunder win.

“He played the right way and really competed,” Daigneault said. “I thought the ball pressure was like he played yesterday, the way he was pressing the ball and lifting the ball. It was really impressive, actually, for a guy who hasn’t played since Game 7. So we’ve got to get him back. We had a lot of changes tonight without Hart. Without Ajayi. You add him. Kenrich is only in his second game.

“There were just a lot of things that were different right away, which was a little awkward, but it gives us something to work through. And, I was really pleased with the way we kind of stuck with it tonight. We weren’t embarrassed by it or frustrated with the game. We just played the next possession. He did the best he could control and he did everything he could control. Nice start for him,” Daigneault concluded.

Williams finished with 11 points, eight assists and two steals in the Thunder’s four-point win against the Suns.

Jaylen Williams preaches patience after Thunder’s season debut

Defending champion, playing without Thunder starting center Isaiah Hartensteinmade the regular season debut of All-Star forward Jalen Williams, and the all-defensive star stepped into a crucial role.

“It’s going to take some time,” Williams said. “I haven’t played in forever, and there’s been a lot behind the scenes, as far as what’s actually been going on with my hand and the two hand surgeries, like, I’m still trying to work through, like, my jump and dribbling, and, like, trying to get my touch back, and it’s just something that needs to progress throughout the season.”

The Thunder will embark on a quick two-game road trip, starting with the Blazers on Sunday.