Thunder’s Mark Daigneault tabbed NBA Coach of the Year

Field Level Media|published: Sun 28th April, 19:41 2024

Apr 27, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder Coach head coach Mark Daigneault stands on the court during game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. credits: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault was named the NBA Coach of the Year on Sunday.

Daigneault, 39, guided the Thunder to the Western Conference's best record and top playoff seed with a 57-25 mark. He did that despite coaching the league's youngest roster coming into the season.

This season, the Thunder became the youngest No. 1 seed since 1970-71 (the first season the league had Eastern and Western conferences), while boasting a top five offensive rating and top five defensive rating.

The Thunder made the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and enjoyed a 17-win improvement over 2023.

Daigneault finished runner-up for the award last season after guiding the Thunder to a 40-42 record — a 16-win improvement over the previous season — and a play-in victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Daigneault, who is in his fourth season as coach, signed a multi-year contract extension last summer.

Daigneault owns a 143-175 record with the Thunder since being named the team's head coach on Nov. 11, 2020. He has a 3-0 record in the playoffs, with all three wins coming against the Pelicans this season.

—Field Level Media