Mark Daigneault talks briefly about Kevin Durant’s no-call time limit
The NBA didn’t waste much time creating drama in its brand new 2025-26 NBA season. Kevin Durant made his debut for the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night against his former team, Oklahoma City Thunderbut he didn’t have the ideal result, as his team fell to the reigning NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in double overtime, 125-124.
But at least Durant escaped to join Chris Webber’s infamous club. As time wound down in the final seconds of the first overtime and with the score tied, Durant appeared to call a timeout that Houston no longer had. Fortunately for Durant and the Rockets, the refs didn’t seem to catch his timeout gesture, and the game continued for another five minutes.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault and the rest of the team tried to question the non-invitation, but to no avail.
Oklahoma City then went to work in overtime, where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander worked his magic. The reigning NBA MVP, who drained a contested clutch jumper to force the first overtime, fouled Durant late in the second overtime session, leading to his game-winning free throws.
After his team’s thrilling victory, Daigneault said he was already moved on from the controversial no-call on Durant’s timeout attempt.
“I said what I had to say and I got on with it,” Daigneault said, according to Brandon Rahbar of the Daily Thunder.
Maybe Daigneault would be singing a different tune if the Thunder ended up losing the game, but now it’s on to the next one for him and Oklahoma City.
Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC against Houston with 35 points to go along with five rebounds, five assists and two steals.
After knocking off the Rockets, the Thunder will embark on a three-game road trip, starting Thursday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for an NBA Finals rematch against the Indiana Pacers.
2025-10-22 03:52:00
