The Oklahoma City Thunder are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012, and while the postgame celebrations were loaded with emotion, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault perfectly captured the moment with a hilarious and heartfelt line.
As his young squad draped towels over him during a live interview following their 124–94 dismantling of the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, Daigneault praised them in typical coach fashion before calling them “idiots,” sparking laughter across the court and social media alike.
“These guys are uncommon. They do everything right. They’re professional. They’re high character… they’re idiots.”
The comedic jab, delivered with a smile as his players goofed around him, was a perfect encapsulation of the bond between the 39-year-old coach and his precocious group of stars.
The Thunder, the youngest team in the NBA and the top seed in the West with a 68-14 record, are proving that maturity and joy can coexist in the pursuit of greatness.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again led the charge, finishing with 34 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds.
He was named the Western Conference Finals MVP after averaging 31.4 points in the series. Jalen Williams added 19 points and eight boards, while Chet Holmgren posted 22 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks in a performance that overwhelmed Minnesota from the opening tip. By the time OKC led 26-9 at the end of the first quarter, the game felt effectively over.
What made the moment so poignant for Daigneault was the journey. Just four years ago, the Thunder were a rebuilding mess. Trading away Paul George in 2019 landed them Gilgeous-Alexander, a move that, in hindsight, may go down as one of the most lopsided in league history.
The rebuild was painful at times, including multiple losing seasons, but patience, development, and smart front-office moves have now placed Oklahoma City on the brink of a championship.
Daigneault’s line about his players being “idiots” wasn’t a dig. It was a celebration of their chemistry, their playfulness, and their resilience. From Lu Dort’s lockdown defense to Alex Caruso’s grit, from Holmgren’s brilliance to the veteran glue provided by Isaiah Hartenstein, this Thunder team is built for the present and future.
And as young as they are, they never flinched during this postseason, not against Nikola Jokic’s 40-point games in the semifinals and not after a blowout loss in Game 3 of this series.
Now, they await the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals, either the Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks, and will host Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 5. But before turning the page, Daigneault and his “idiots” took a moment to revel in a rare accomplishment: winning the West with laughter, joy, and a whole lot of heart.
In a league full of egos and pressure, the Thunder have reminded the world that winning can still be fun.
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