Marc Daigneault’s honest look at Isaiah Joe’s big debut in 2025-26.

OKLAHOMA CITY — After Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe suffered a knee injury in the preseasonmade his regular season debut Thursday in a 127-108 win against the Washington Wizards, impressing the coach Mark Daigneault in the process. Joe wasted no time making his presence felt, draining two 3-pointers in the first five minutes off the bench.

Joe finished with 20 points on 7-for-11 shooting, including five 3-pointers, six rebounds and one steal against the Wizards. However, for Daigneault, it’s Joe’s defense what stood out the most amid Isaiah’s impressive shooting display.

“First of all, it’s six games in 10 nights. We’re still kind of in this stretch and getting Alex (Caruso) back against Sacramento injected some energy that night, getting (Joe) back injected some energy,” Daigneault said. “Obviously he hit the ground running. I thought the best thing he did tonight was his defense and ball movement. Even though it started early, he made some of the better extra passes of the night.”

“He just made the right play all night and made shots when they were there and otherwise, he kept it moving. It was a reminder of the functionality and how much he helps the system when he’s there,” Daigneault concluded.

Mark Daigneault on Isaiah Joe’s (20 points (5-9 3PT) regular season debut): “Getting him back energized him and, obviously, he hit the ground running.

I thought the best thing he did tonight was defense and ball movement.” pic.twitter.com/kH3SBoAnv7

— Joshua Pavon (@joe_svai) October 31, 2025

Joe’s production helped the shorthanded Thunder go a perfect 6-0 to start the regular season. With All-Stars Jalen Williams and Kenrich Williams still recovering from their offseason surgeries, Joe, much like we saw Alex Caruso against the Kings, is back to give Oklahoma City an extra boost in the backcourt.

All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 31 points on 11-of-20 shooting, including 3-for-6 from deep, seven assists, three rebounds and one block led the Thunder in a 29-point victory Thursday. Ajay Mitchell’s 20 points also provided a significant spark off the bench, and Isaiah Hartenstein added 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals.

The defending champion Thunder showed its depth amid a 6-0 start

After Thunder reserve Ajay Mitchell received the Improved Player of the Year award week into the regular season, Isaiah Joe showed zero signs of fatigue in his first outing since exiting the preseason game against the Pacers on Oct. 11.

With Chet Holmgren, dealing with a lower back injury, sitting out a second straight game with back pain, coach Mark Daigno was able to plug Joe in with ease as Isaiah and Mitchell combined for 40 of 52 points off the bench en route to the Thunder’s six straight championship wins.