Thunder brushed off questions about youth, inexperience, in first
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the playoffs facing questions about their relative youth and playoff inexperience.
Four games later, the Thunder is on to the second round after a convincing sweep of the New Orleans Pelicans.
“That’s another thing for us to not think about,” Thunder forward Jalen Williams said. “We’re coming in to compete — no matter how old we are.”
The average age on the Thunder roster was less than 24 years old when the playoffs began. But coach Mark Daigneault, named NBA coach of the year this week, has been quick to point out that youth and maturity are not mutually exclusive.
“We have a mature team. We have a committed team,” Daigneault said. “We’ve got an uncommon group of people and players.”
That maturity was on full display in the way the Thunder have committed to defense, holding the Pelicans to 92 or fewer points in each game of the first round.
Related articles
Yu Darvish extends scoreless innings streak to 25 in Padres' 9
ATLANTA (AP) — Yu Darvish dominated a slumping Braves offense and extended his career-high scoreless2024-05-21Pillar homers twice as Sandoval and the Angels beat the Pirates 9
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Kevin Pillar homered twice and drove in six runs, helping Patrick Sandoval and the2024-05-21Zhou wants to inspire a new generation of hometown heroes
Competing in the 2024 Formula One Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, which ma2024-05-21Pillar homers twice as Sandoval and the Angels beat the Pirates 9
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Kevin Pillar homered twice and drove in six runs, helping Patrick Sandoval and the2024-05-21Why US Catholics are planning pilgrimages in communities across the nation
A long-planned series of Catholic pilgrimages has begun across the United States this weekend, with2024-05-21- Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and fiancé Jason Statham cosied up for a smitten selfie during a luxurious2024-05-21
atest comment