Mark Daigneault was ‘excited’ to watch the game on Christmas Day

It’s the last time Oklahoma City Thunder played on Christmas Day — the NBA’s annual showcase of its best teams — was 2018, when he is the head coach Mark Daigneault still led the team in the G League. Before winning the title, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander expressed his disappointment with the Thunder omitted from the Christmas schedule last season. After winning the NBA Finals, Oklahoma City earned a big matchup against the San Antonio Spurs.

Daigneault, who will work on Christmas Day for the first time since being promoted to head coach of the Thunder in 2019. dealt with importance facing the Spurs as part of the NBA’s annual exhibition, according to Thunder Wire’s Clemente Almansa.

“It’s a big day for the NBA, and the guys are excited to play that slate of games,” Daigneault said. “It’s one of 82, at the end of the day, but it’s a sublime circumstance because of the attention on the game and the buzz around it. Those are good experiences for any team, certainly for us, because that’s the kind of noise you have to break through in the playoffs, if you’re lucky enough to get there.

“That’s what we’ve learned over the last few years as we’ve gotten there. So the more you can condition yourself to be in those circumstances, the better you’ll be able to handle them,” Daigneault concluded.

Mark Daigneault on OKC playing on Christmas Day: “It’s a big day in the NBA. Guys are excited to play that slate of games. . . . It’s an elevated circumstance because of the attention to the game and the buzz around it.” pic.twitter.com/GkdznV4dg2

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) December 21, 2025

The Spurs eliminated Mark Daigne and the Thunder in the NBA Cup semifinals, handing the defending champions their second loss in 26 games. San Antonio also snapped a 16-game winning streak, the Thunder’s longest in franchise history, making the Christmas matchup even more exciting.

The Spurs will also host the Thunder on Tuesday, adding to the anticipation of an NBA matchup.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander embraces Thunder-Spurs rivalry

After losing to All-Star Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, Thunder All-Star Shai Giljus-Alexander addressed the potential rivalry. Gilgeous-Alexander says the Spurs have a chance to become the Thunder’s new rival, a role that began with Vembanjam and Chet Holmgren, a pair of 7-foot shooters leading a new generation, both top picks in back-to-back draft years (2021-2022).

Gilgeous-Alexander sees Spurs appears as a potential threat to the defending champion Thunder in the coming years, he said, after last week’s loss.

“There’s a good chance,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “They’re young — really good — they’ve got a lot of talent, they’re playing the right way. They’re playing a good brand of basketball. But, yeah, definitely, there’s a possibility. I’ve noticed that anything can happen in a few years. So, yeah, definitely a possibility. It’s not 100 percent. But definitely a possibility for sure.”

After a pair of losses in three games, the Thunder will host the Grizzlies at the Paicom Center on Monday.