{"id":600330,"date":"2026-02-13T06:04:25","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T06:04:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/600330\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T06:04:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T06:04:25","slug":"thunders-mark-daigneault-reveals-biggest-reason-for-stunning-bucks-upset","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/600330\/","title":{"rendered":"Thunder\u2019s Mark Daigneault reveals biggest reason for stunning Bucks upset"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thunder\u2019s Mark Daigneault reveals biggest reason for stunning Bucks upset<\/a> appeared first on ClutchPoints<\/a>. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

OKLAHOMA CITY \u2014 Coach Mark Daigneault and the Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a> lost to a Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Milwaukee Bucks<\/a> team in a 110-93 blowout at home on Thursday. The Thunder faced the Bucks without Jalen Williams<\/a> and All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who missed his fifth consecutive game with an abdominal injury.<\/p>\n

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After the loss, Daigneault pointed to the Bucks\u2019 defense disrupting the Thunder\u2019s offense early and often throughout the night, as Milwaukee\u2019s lead ballooned to its largest of the night, 24 points.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe weren\u2019t able to really get any offensive rhythm tonight for whatever reason,\u201d Daigneault said. \u201cI thought there were a lot of possessions we weren\u2019t very organized, which sets you back at the beginning of possessions. Milwaukee did a great job; obviously, they outplayed us the whole night. But, obviously, it just wasn\u2019t our best night. But I thought our process let us down on a lot of plays.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the Bucks\u2019 defense held the Thunder to under 40% from the floor (37.3%), they drained 17 threes amid a well-balanced attack. Seven Bucks players scored in double figures, including a team-high 19 points from the former Thunder forward acquired ahead of last week\u2019s trade deadline.<\/p>\n

AJ Green connected on six threes en route to 17 points. Bobby Portis added a double-double (15 points, 12 rebounds), and Kyle Kuzma chipped in 14 points. Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, who earned his first All-Star nod ahead of this weekend\u2019s festivities, led Oklahoma City with 16 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.<\/p>\n

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The Thunder were also missing their starting center, Isaiah Hartenstein, his backup in Branden Carlson, and backup guard Ajay Mitchell.<\/p>\n

Mark Daigneault talks about Nikola Topic before Thunder debut\"Alonzo<\/p>\n

Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault<\/a> discussed Nikola Topic\u2019s long road to\u00a0making his NBA debut. After Topic forfeited his rookie season with an ACL injury, the 2024 first-round pick was diagnosed with testicular cancer after the Thunder\u2019s first preseason game in October.<\/p>\n

For Daigneault, Topic\u2019s remarkable journey set the stage<\/a> for an unforgettable night at the Paycom Center.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s done an incredible job in the face of a lot of different obstacles and adversities,\u201d Daigneault said. \u201cFor a young person, he\u2019s shown tremendous resilience and optimism, professionalism, consistency, steadiness; he\u2019s an impressive young guy. And before that, he did an ACL [injury]. Then, turned around and had another more significant setback. I\u2019m incredibly happy for him to be able to dress tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Thunder enter the All-Star break with the NBA-best record \u2014 42-14.<\/p>\n

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Related: Nikola Topic officially makes NBA debut to roaring ovation from Thunder fans<\/a><\/p>\n

Related: Thunder prospect Nikola Topic\u2019s NBA return gets \u2018incredible\u2019 Mark Daigneault update<\/a><\/p>\n