Image Source: X
[Saba Sports News] Mark Daigneault rolled the dice in Game 6 — and it didn’t pay off.
The Oklahoma City Thunder head coach made a bold decision during Thursday’s second-round playoff matchup against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.
With OKC leading 49-44 in the second quarter, star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander picked up his third foul with 3:59 remaining in the half.
Instead of playing it safe and sitting his MVP candidate, Daigneault chose to leave Gilgeous-Alexander in the game. The move initially seemed to pay off — Gilgeous-Alexander added six more points before halftime — but it came at a price.
With 1:29 left in the quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander committed his fourth foul after reaching in on Nikola Jokic following a turnover. Only then did Daigneault finally pull his star.
According to ESPN, it marked the first time since 2022 — in either the regular season or playoffs — that Gilgeous-Alexander picked up four fouls in a single half. The Thunder still held a narrow 61-58 lead at the break, but their star was now in serious foul trouble heading into the second half.
Daigneault, who led OKC to a league-best 68 wins this season after winning Coach of the Year the previous year, has built a reputation for sharp in-game adjustments and roster management.
But his gamble in Game 6 — much like a previous decision earlier in the series — ultimately backfired, putting his best player in jeopardy during a must-win contest.