What Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault had to say about Isaiah Joe's career-high eight threes in Friday's win

Kyrie Irving scored 25 points, Spencer Dinwiddie and P.J. Washington Jr. added 16 apiece and the Dallas Mavericks beat Oklahoma City 106-98 as Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed his first game of the season.

After the Celtics jumped ahead in the first half, the Thunder put on a defensive masterclass in the final two quarters. Oklahoma City held Boston to just 27 points in the second half, winning the game 105-92, and setting a franchise record with their 15th win in a row.

Because of that, Jalen Williams has gone under the radar as a defender. The efficient scoring sticks out, but the 23-year-old is a plus-defender who's helped OKC withstand several injuries throughout the season. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault broke down where Williams has improved the most on that side of the ball.

The team announced that power forward Chet Holmgren will be re-evaluated in three to five weeks as he continues to recover from a right iliac wing fracture, which is a fracture on the right side of his pelvis. His initial timeline was eight to 10 weeks.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s MVP candidate, is an All-Star lock. Williams — who is second on the team in points and assists, third in rebounds and is a versatile cog in their top-ranked and historically disruptive defense — is their only other true candidate. That might be Williams’ simplest case.

For an Oklahoma City Thunder team that is 34-6, there has been no shortage of advesity this season. The no excuse Thunder have had to navigate being without Che

Without its two top options in the front court, the Thunder committed to the small-ball vision, and Cleveland had no answer whatsoever. The Thunder overpowered the Cavs with energetic defense and elite shotmaking all over the floor.

Mark Daigneault commends Cason Wallaces improvement as the Thunder defeat the Sixers 118-102, showcasing team resilience and player development.

After taking down the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night, Mark Daigneault noted that Oklahoma City has improved during its four-game road trip.