OKC Thunder Get Reinforcements After All-Star Break

The Oklahoma City Thunder returned to the practice gym on Wednesday following the NBA All-Star Break, and Mark Daigneault shared that the team was "excited" to be back on the hardwood.

"I asked them if that was enough or if they wanted a little bit more, and they wanted a little bit more, then I learned my lesson and realized they would have gone for three hours today. I had to pull the plug at one point. They were excited to be together, they are energized by each other, it is one of the most fun things about coaching this team," Daigneault explained.

During his post-practice scrum, the Thunder bench boss announced that Gordon Hayward and Bismack Biyombo would be available for their Thunder debuts tomorrow against the L.A. Clippers in the first game after the break. Hayward was acquired at the deadline in a trade with the Hornets, while Biyombo was a buy-out addition to fill out the roster.

Gordon Hayward on if he heard any rumors of being traded here when the Hornets were in town not long ago pic.twitter.com/XdopTX2McQ
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) February 21, 2024

Hayward was introduced to the local media in Oklahoma City for the first time on Wednesday, where he said, "I feel like I can help us."

That sentiment was riddled throughout his practice scrum. "Just help us win," the Butler product responded when asked what his goals are with the Thunder.

While it is clear the former All-Star will not carry the burden of 30-plus games a night, Hayward was honest about the possibility of his fluctuating minutes.

"Just focused on trying to do what I can to help us win, no matter how long it is I am out there on the court," the veteran explained. "If you are focused on that, everything else takes care of itself."

Gordon Hayward on how he will handle his minute adjustment pic.twitter.com/2nZeMrRPv1
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) February 21, 2024

While the conversation around the veteran has been on the offensive end, Hayward said the main talking points between him and his new teammates come on the defensive end, where he is "able to guard multiple players at multiple positions, something I feel like I can help with."

The 33-year-old also informed the media he elected to don the number 33 due to his age and Larry Bird, which makes sense for the Indiana native. Hayward becomes just the fifth player in Thunder history to wear 33.

Hayward has not played in over seven weeks, which leaves his kids excited to get to go to games again. "They love going to the games," the forward explained when discussing how happy his family is with the trade, but it will take time to get back into the swing of things fully.

Mark Daigneault on working Gordon Hayward back in after seven weeks off pic.twitter.com/AqLGeomF0M
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) February 21, 2024

Despite the early season success and the readjusted external expectations, the internal goals do not change, "Stack good days," Daigneault continued to preach, "It is not lip service," the Thunder coach said. "We are trying to improve through all the experience, and that is what put us in the position we are in right now.. So far us to then lift our head and start looking out ahead, would be a big mistake right now."

Mark Daigneault on the goals for the rest of the season “stack good days” pic.twitter.com/QHrKZkHF2p
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) February 21, 2024

Mark Daigneault also shared Bismack Biyombo's role would be as a "situational player" highlighting that they were extremely upfront with the veteran big man about that before inking him to a remainder of the season deal.

Mark Daigneault calls Bismack Biyombo a “situational player” and “that was something we were honest about up front” said “he is a great professional, very serious competitor, and I think will help the environment in that way”
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) February 21, 2024

Practice ended with some laughs as Mark Daigneault was sure to make no comment on Sunday's NBA All-Star Game which has sparked a lot of outrage from the National Media.

Mark Daigneault on if he watched the All Star game and if he could have stopped the East from scoring 200 points pic.twitter.com/lOvQvs6VgY
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) February 21, 2024

Up Next, the OKC Thunder will take on the L.A. Clippers on Thursday, Feb. 22nd in the Paycom Center. This will be the Thunder's first game back from the All-Star Break, and third time playing the Clippers this season with the series currently sitting at 1-1.

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