The Oklahoma City Thunder held practice on April 30 as they await their Round 2 playoff opponent after sweeping the Phoenix Suns. Head coach Mark Daigneault and player Isaiah Hartenstein addressed the media, discussing their recent success and team dynamics.
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The Oklahoma City Thunder held practice on Thursday. They're amid another mini-break as they await their Round 2 opponent. They completed a Round 1 sweep over the Phoenix Suns this past Monday. Now, the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets will go at least six games in their playoff series.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault and Isaiah Hartenstein talked to the local media. Daigneault reflected on their Round 1 series win over the Suns. But before that, Jalen Williams crashed his scrum by trying to jokingly kick out the media. He continues his rehab from a hamstring strain.
Meanwhile, Hartenstein talked about his two-man chemistry with Chet Holmgren. There have been ups and downs, but their playoff track record speaks for itself. The Thunder have relied on them in their starting lineup in these last two NBA playoff trips.
Here's what else happened at OKC's Thursday, Apr. 30 practice:
Thunder practice after a couple of days off. They await to see their Round 2 opponent of either the Lakers or Rockets pic.twitter.com/5W97Kd7O5k
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 30, 2026
Mark Daigneault reflected positively on the Thunder's successful Round 1 sweep over the Phoenix Suns.
Jalen Williams is a player for the Thunder who is currently rehabbing from a hamstring strain.
Isaiah Hartenstein talked about their two-man chemistry, noting that their playoff performance has shown significant ups and downs.
The Thunder's next playoff game will be determined once they know their Round 2 opponent, as they are currently awaiting the outcome of the Lakers vs. Rockets series.
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SGA at practice today pic.twitter.com/f5Bx3YaT8j
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 30, 2026
Jalen Williams yelled from across the facility to say Mark Daigneault has time for ‘1 more’ question in his scrum today lmao. Wanted to kick the media out so he can have the gym by himself as he rehabs from his hamstring strain pic.twitter.com/c6Tf3qRUJi
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 30, 2026
Mark Daigneault on Alex Caruso: “He's never not inside the team. He's never not in the moment competitively. That is right down to a film session. His level of presence moment to moment in his daily life is very impressive. He carries that over to practice and to the court.” pic.twitter.com/L4zdpxSSWL
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 30, 2026
Mark Daigneault on Jalen Williams’ competitiveness: “There's never a game that he's not competing. He plays with a motor every single night. He's a 7 o’clock player. When it's 7, he's ready to go.” pic.twitter.com/jjjqXEADym
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 30, 2026
Mark Daigneault on Lu Dort’s Round 1 series: “He’s a guy that some teams will try to funnel the ball to. He shot the right shots. Passed the right passes. He was sound on his drives… And defensively, it speaks for itself.” pic.twitter.com/PPiqJ2THaw
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 30, 2026
Isaiah Hartenstein on keeping up with the Lakers-Rockets series: “You just watch it just to make sure. You never know who you play against and kinda try to control what you can control.” pic.twitter.com/99mRTm2sUG
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 30, 2026
Isaiah Hartenstein on Jalen Williams being around the team since his injury: “Having him around is always amazing. He’s a great personality.” pic.twitter.com/qEGN3lQfNe
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 30, 2026
Isaiah Hartenstein on Oso Ighodaro’s recent comments about OKC calling out their plays: “I think we just do a good job of calling out the plays. Our guys do a good job just being prepared. Not just the vets, but the guys.” pic.twitter.com/S9MAn1nxh1
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 30, 2026
Isaiah Hartenstein on his chemistry with Chet Holmgren: “First couple games, we didn't think it was really going to work out. But I think we did a great job of just working with each other, watching film. We were together all summer.” pic.twitter.com/4sTtYEhHLO
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 30, 2026
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Recap: What happened at OKC Thunder's Thursday, Apr. 30 practice