Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appreciates Serge Ibaka’s “winning” foundation

Before the opening of the championship, Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dealt with influence Serge Ibakawho attended practice. As head coach Marc Daigneault and the Thunder open the season hoisting the franchise’s first championship banner, Gilgeous-Alexander explained the significance of Ibaka’s existence. And what that means for Oklahoma City.

Ibaka, who played the first seven seasons of his NBA career with the Thunder, was the defensive anchor of a team led by Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook that reached the Finals in 2012. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reminded of that era Thunder basketball and Ibaka’s next championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019.

“Super cool. He was part of the Thunder team that built the foundation here,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. I watched many of his games growing up. He is a great basketball player. He’s obviously not one of the up-and-coming stars and household names, but he’s a guy who’s had an impact on winning at a really high level. You saw it when he was in Toronto and won the ring. You saw it when he was here.

“Just one of those guys that’s really good at basketball and a lot of guys might not know unless you’re a junkie, but we have a lot of respect for him around here.”

Serge Ibaka was a first-team All-Defensive center for three consecutive seasons, including the 2012 Defensive Player of the Year runner-up honors. He will attend the Thunder’s historic opener, where Oklahoma City will celebrate its first championship banner before facing Durant and the Rockets at the Pike Center.

Mark Daigneault spares the Thunder a warning from Opening Night

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault understands the magnitude of such an emotional night to open the season. He didn’t let his team separate the emotion from the game talk, as Daigneault says he’ll cross the bridge if he has to in the middle The Thunder’s season-opening banner-raising championship against the Rockets.

“It’s just another distraction,” Daigneault said. “It’s a great thing for everybody — the fans and everything. But it’s a distraction. You’ve got to share your distractions and be ready to compete when the ball goes in the air. There’s always distractions in every game. But I don’t overdo it. I just see how the guys are doing, and we’ll see how we play.”

The Thunder begin the 2025-26 NBA regular season on Tuesday.