Thunder coach Marc Daigneault’s honest look at Isaiah Joe’s career-best shot

Isaiah Joe and Oklahoma City Thunder crushed the New York Knicks 126-101 at Madison Square Garden. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault watched All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is flirting with a 40-point performance through three quarters as Joe connected on a career-best eight 3-pointers in his best game of the regular season. Isaiah finished with 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting, including 8-of-11 from deep, two points shy of his career high of 33.

After the victory, Daigneault discussed Joe’s impressive shooting performance. The Thunder head coach says this type of shooting display is overdue.

“We know he is capable of it.” “He’s had it before, and this season he hasn’t shot the ball the way he wanted to,” Daigneault said. “We were kind of waiting for this kind of game. At least I was. It was a matter of time. Great trust from him. He just kept shooting the right ones. He didn’t press or (become) shy at all. And he continues to play a great ground game, allowing us to play through the ups and downs of his shooting. So tonight I was happy for him. It was an amazing show.”

None of that came as a surprise to Thunder head coach Marc Daigneault, who says Joe’s confidence never wavers.

“He’s got a lot of work to do here and he’s had big hits in big games,” Daigneault added. “So you just kind of know it’s going to come. I was impressed with his diet, he stayed consistent even though he struggled a bit.”

Thunder’s Isaiah Joe is shooting at a 37.2% clip, under 40% from three for the first time in three seasons. However, this did not discourage the five-year-old guard from continuing to shoot.

“I believe in the law of averages.” There are ups and downs; you can never waver,” Joe said. “Staying consistent in your work off the field (when) I’m out, it helps. I just have confidence, man. My teammates have confidence in me. They always find me.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the Thunder’s win at MSG

Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander loves playing at Madison Square Garden. The atmosphere of playing the Knicks away makes it his second favorite NBA arena.

“Next to Paycom, it’s probably the best arena in the NBA,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “He has a feel for it. Kids these days say aura. But there is a (feeling) in the arena. There is an aura, a feeling. The fans are very engaged in the game.”

After suffering their first loss in 16 games against the Cavs, the Thunder will look to continue their winning streak on their four-game road trip.