Mark Daigneault praises SGA’s quality in addition to scoring after a career night

Mark Daigneault sang his praises towards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander following Oklahoma City Thunder double overtime win over Indiana Pacers on Thursday night.

Coming into the game, the Thunder began their quest for a repeat, having won the NBA Championship last season. A repeat would allow them to gain recognition as a potential dynasty in the making, presenting them as a formidable opponent for the foreseeable future.

Gilgeous-Alexander will be at the center of it, having secured the NBA Finals MVP with his efforts. He didn’t miss a single step in the opener, finishing with 55 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block. He shot 15 of 31 from the field, including 2 of 7 from beyond the arc and 23 of 26 from the free throw line.

Daigneault reflected in the performance of his star guard after the game, according to reporter Nick Gallo. Although Gilgeous-Alexander reached a career high, the head coach focused on his ball security as he turned the ball over just twice in 45 minutes of action.

“One of the most effective things about Shai is not just his scoring efficiency, but he doesn’t turn the ball over much. He’s a great ball control player,” Daigneault said.

As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder played against the Pacers

Mark Daigneault is right to point out other traits of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s skill set. This proved crucial in the Thunder’s run away with a double overtime victory on the road against the Pacers.

It was a match to remember as it was a rematch of the NBA Finals, although several key players were missing due to injury. The game more than made up for it as Maturin shined in the opener with 36 points while countering Gilgeous-Alexander’s 55-point outing.

Rebounds and free throws made the difference in this exciting matchup. The Thunder dominated with 60 rebounds while making 45 of 51 shots at the line for 88.2% shooting. It was similar for the Pacers, but to a lesser extent. Indiana grabbed 55 rebounds, but managed to make just 30 of its 40 free throws on the night.

Four players scored in double figures for Oklahoma City, including Gilgeous-Alexander. Ajay Mitchell had a great game off the bench with 26 points, four assists, three rebounds and a steal. He shot 9-of-19 overall and 8-of-8 from the charity stripe. Aaron Wiggins was next with 23 points and nine rebounds, Chet Holmgren had 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Lugence Dort provided seven points and eight rebounds.

The Thunder will be looking forward to their next match as they are on the road. They face the Atlanta Hawks on October 25th at 7:30pm ET.