Mark Daigneault not ready for ‘unbelievable experience’ of coaching OKC Thunder to end
When asked what it felt like to be “Gallo’d” on the court in his postgame interview, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault chuckled. “We’re happy we’re going to the Finals, but I don’t want to stop coaching this team.”
The Oklahoma City Thunder are officially this year’s Western Conference Champions. Led by NBA MVP and Western Conference Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s victory filled downtown and homes all across Oklahoma with screams of support.
But Oklahoma City residents weren’t the only ones rooting for the Thunder. Several of Oklahoma City’s celebrity fans spread their joy on the win last night as the Thunder head to the NBA Finals next week.
Here are some of our favorite famous Thunder fans posting on social media:
Kristin Chenoweth
Following last night’s game, Oklahoma native actor and singer Kristin Chenoweth cheered on the Thunder as they qualified for the NBA Finals. In her Facebook post, she celebrates from home as she and everyone else wonder who will be their opponent.
James Marsden
This season, just before the NBA Playoffs began, Marvel actor and Oklahoma native James Marsden stopped by and sat courtside with his mom. Now, he did stop by for a regular-season game against the Denver Nuggets, but given we ended up winning the series in May, we can overlook the score on that March 10 night.
Bill Hader
In 2012, SNL actor and great Bill Hader appeared courtside at a game, and shared that he didn’t think he’d see Oklahoma City host a game in the NBA Finals. Now, 13 years later, the team is back for the win.
“When I grew up, professional sports was always in other places; it wasn’t in Oklahoma,” Hader said in 2012, talking to Thunder staff. “To see how they’ve come and each year they just get better and better and now where they’re at, it’s pretty amazing.”
Billy Martin
After the game was called on Wednesday night, Billy Martin of the band Good Charlotte was speechless, so much so he could only tweet one emoji:
Martin has been a diehard fan for years, cheering on the Thunder and has quite a support history on X, even taking his son to the January Oklahoma City game hosted by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Jim Ross
Oklahoma native and WWE commentator Jim Ross is a “major Oklahoma City Thunder fan” and has been for years, even poking back at the 2013 draft, but most recently sitting courtside in 2018.
James Goldstein
James F. Goldstein is a basketball superfan and a courtside legend. He is best known for his courtside appearances around the world, regardless of the teams on the court. The star is often hard to miss, often in a cowboy hat, neckerchief and likely shiny jacket.
Goldstein travels to games regardless of who is playing but attests that Oklahoma City is the best place to watch an NBA. Goldstein was in attendance to watch his fashion rival Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and friend Chet Holmgren take the time Wednesday night.