Kofi Inkoom
Mark Daigneault, in his fourth season as head coach of the OKC Thunder, was named the NBA Coach of the Year award(2023-24) for the first time, the league announced on Sunday. He joins Scott Brooks as the only coaches to earn this recognition with the Thunder.
Daigneault topped contenders like Jamahl Mosley of the Orlando Magic and Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves, garnering more Coach of the Year vote points than all other coaches combined.
Under Daigneault’s guidance, the Thunder boasted an impressive 57-25 record in the regular season, tying for the top spot in the competitive Western Conference.
This achievement marks Oklahoma City as the youngest team (weighted by playing time) to claim the conference’s best record since the 1970-71 NBA season.
The team’s remarkable improvement, with a 17-win jump from the previous season, secured them a playoff berth after a four-year hiatus.
Currently leading 3-0 against the Pelicans, the Thunder are on the verge of advancing to the next playoff round. Their potential opponents include either Paul George’s Clippers or Luka Doncic’s Mavericks.