OKC Thunder practice: What Mark Daigneault, Jalen Williams and Alex Caruso said on Apr. 16

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The Oklahoma City Thunder held practice on Wednesday as their Round 1 possibly is down to just three teams after the Golden State Warriors beat the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in tournament game for the seventh seed.

The Thunder are still a few days away from Sunday's Game 1 at home. The first seed won't find out their opponent until Friday night. The Grizzlies will host the winner of the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings play-in game.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, Jalen Williams and Alex Caruso talked to the local media after practice. Daigneault discussed the benefits of the G League's OKC Blue coaching staff tagging along in the playoffs, Caruso iterated the importance of defense and Williams explained the difference between this year's and last year's squad.

Here's a recap of the Thunder's Wednesday Aor. 16 playoff practice:

Thunder playoff practice today pic.twitter.com/eWx5gTHENB

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 16, 2025

Jalen Williams’ practice gear today pic.twitter.com/7x9Z1Sxyv9

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 16, 2025

SGA at practice today pic.twitter.com/Mby1iZ73ZF

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 16, 2025

Alex Caruso on the difference between the Thunder and other playoff teams he’s been on: “This team is unique because we have good concentration and competitiveness when we’re on the court. We’re also very true to ourselves and have a good time.” pic.twitter.com/vl0bEjxxq6

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 16, 2025

Alex Caruso on their youth: “I don’t think we’re the same normal young team. That might come off as a little arrogant but the mindset of this team throughout the whole season has been to take whatever challenge you have in front of you head on… The youth thing is a nice headline…

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 16, 2025

Alex Caruso on the difference between Mark Daigneault now compared to when he was the OKC Blue head coach: pic.twitter.com/9Mlyp8Um09

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 16, 2025

Alex Caruso: “To be a great team, you gotta play defense. I don’t think a team has had any postseason success without a good defense. The whole mantra that defense wins championships is very true in any sport.”

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 16, 2025

Jalen Williams on the difference between this year and last year’s Thunder: pic.twitter.com/aIKiQi7RnX

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 16, 2025

Jalen Williams on playing the primetime afternoon ABC slot for their Game 1 Sunday: “It’ll be cool.”

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 16, 2025

Mark Daigneault on Caruso: “I think it helps a guy like Cason Wallace who early in his career, is playing all on instinct and competitive instinct. The exposure for a guy like Caruso on a guy like Cason is good exposure.”

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 16, 2025

Mark Daigneault on the difference between last year & this year’s Thunder: “Last year’s team I thought was excellent with the tools we had from a lineup and personnel standpoint. I think this year’s team has more tools.” pic.twitter.com/0zdWPEbRFx

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 16, 2025

Mark Daigneault on how helpful the OKC Blue coaching staff has been in their playoff prep. After the G League season, they join the Thunder. Talked about how they handle a lot of the prep for possible future opponents in the playoffs beyond Round 1: pic.twitter.com/w3Ymym8lhL

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 16, 2025

Mark Daigneault on playing the primetime afternoon ABC slot for their Game 1 Sunday: “It means we’re going to wake up in the morning and not have shootaround and play at noon.”

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 16, 2025

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Thunder practice: Mark Daigneault, Jalen Williams and Alex Caruso said

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