Mark Daigneault is a strong download of the first presentation Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Oklahoma City – for the first time in the pre-season, Oklahoma City Thunder chief coach Mark Daigneault liberated most of his starting setup, like MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Played in Paicom Center for the first time since he won the NBA Championship. Scoring 12 of his 16 points in the first quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander hit the ground of running, asking the tone at both ends of the floor as Thunder reminded the fans why this is the favorite championship.

For Daigneault, Veterans such as Lu Dort, Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein know how vital these preseason games are at this time of year, and Gilgeous-Aleksandar is not different, like thunder The main coach explained During his availability of the media in the afterlock.

“Lu is like this, Alek (Caruso), Shai, (Isaia-Alexander), just went out offsseas enough that they somehow understand the calendar and where they should be in certain periods of time,” Daigneault said. “And they are ramping. They understand what they need. They are all a little different, and he understood it well. He was tonight.” He was some kind of moment. “

The scoring of one end floor although it is a waiver of the defensive stops, Gilgeous-Alexander was relentless during the first half, and the same could be said about Caruso who started instead of Chet Holmgren.

“We have competitors. So you put them in practice practice and try to win now, somehow learn steps and know how to prepare and prepare their teams.”

Gilgeous-Alexander, who cut the other half, ended with 16 points to 7-9 shootings, five assists, one block and one steal in 19 minutes. Isaiah Joe (19 points) is connected to 5-8 out of 8 from deep, and Aaron Viggins added 13 points, six rebounds, four helpers and three blocks.

Mark Daigneault was discovered by Holmgren dealing in the shoulder and took the night, while the bench bench kept Hornets in Bay of the Shares 122-116 Preseason win.

Thunder chosen to become the first proposals champions since 2017. Years

Thunder Veteran Alex Caruso says Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is in the hall of the territory of FameWhat is a big reason why many pierce to do it again in 2026. years. However, the Grumpy Support gave a unique blend of experienced guys such as Caruso, Izayih Hartanstein and Gilgeous-Alexander – mixed with young All-Alexandra in Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, and Chet Holmgren.

In a recent survey, Thunder earned the NBA GM votes as a team most likely to go back Championship. Cleveland Cavs and Denver Nuggets were bound to another with 7% votes. Thunder will look improving to 3-1 in the middle of the pre-season when it faces the lower from the dollar on Tuesday.