Mark Daigneault reacts to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander saving OKC from loss against the Jazz

OKLAHOMA CITY — At the risk of handing over a third straight loss, coach Mark Daigneault watched All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drain a pull-up jumper from the free throw line as the game clock has expired for the carry Oklahoma City Thunder in overtime against Utah Jazz. Thunder comes from consecutive losses to the Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Hornets, erased an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

Gilgeous-Alexander, in response to guard Lauri Markkanen with 3.2 seconds left, tied at 114 before the Thunder outlasted the Jazz in a 129-125 overtime victory at the Pike Center. SGA finished with a record 46 points.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander MAKES THE GAME at 114 with zero time left in the game.

We’re going into overtime here at the Paicom Center.

Thunder 114, Jazz 114 pic.twitter.com/6mS3mBl3vv

— Joshua Pavon (@joe_svai) January 8, 2026

After the game, Daigneault reflected on Gilgeous-Alexander gentle approach in the most critical situations in the game.

“The most impressive thing is how natural he looks regardless of the circumstances. He looks like the same player every minute of the game and every second of the game, until the last seconds,” Daigneault said. “It doesn’t waver. It looks the same in terms of tempo. Everything is even, even in moments of pressure.”

“That’s why he’s such a big pressure player, and he was huge tonight. That was a big play. I mean, he made other plays, but the play down the stretch was great.”

Marc Daigneault on SGA’s impressive fourth quarter: “The most impressive thing is how natural he looks regardless of the circumstances. He looks like the same player every minute of the game…

Everything is consistent even in moments of pressure… tonight was huge. It was a big game.” pic.tvitter.com/BcKJiDU0jj

— Joshua Pavon (@joe_svai) January 8, 2026

Gilgeous-Alexander was 14-for-26 from the floor, including 1-for-8 from deep, and 17-of-19 from the free throw line. He also finished with six assists, six rebounds, one steal and one block. Chet Holmgren recorded an impressive double-double (23 points, 12 rebounds), and Jalen Williams added 17 points, eight assists and six rebounds.

Markkanen led the Jazz with 29 points and 13 rebounds. Keyonte George finished with 25 points and 11 assists, and Jusuf Nurkic added 15 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Thunder fend off Lauri Markkanen, Jazz in overtime thriller

All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander challenged the Thunder to be better after a 31-point loss to the Hornets on Monday. Thunder coach Marc Daigneault looked to his defense in critical parts in the final frame to erase an eight-point deficit. Then, Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen brought to Walter Clayton Jr. blocked a shot to put his team ahead — 114-112.

Lauri Markkanen makes a layup with 3.0 seconds left to give the Jazz a 114-112 lead.

Timeout, Thunder pic.twitter.com/G8i18K3AIS

— Joshua Pavon (@joe_svai) January 8, 2026

After the Thunder took a 20-point lead in the first half, Gilgeous-Alexander’s game-tying jumper at the end of regulation sent the game into overtime, where he put the finishing touches on a 46-point performance to avoid a third straight loss.