In a gritty showdown on Wednesday, the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by head coach Mark Daigneault, battled valiantly against the Detroit Pistons despite a slew of injuries. Missing four starters, the Thunder relied heavily on backup center Jaylin Williams, who delivered a standout performance.
Williams shone brightly, posting a career-high 30 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, a block, and a steal in a 124-116 loss to the Raptors. Daigneault was full of praise for Williams, highlighting his toughness and offensive prowess.
“He was unreal tonight. Great toughness and obviously great offense - I think that must be a career high for him,” Daigneault remarked.
“We flowed through him against a team that really pressures, similar to what we’ve had to do lately. He was a great help for us again tonight.”
Aaron Wiggins, stepping in for All-Star Chet Holmgren, also made a significant impact with 20 points, six assists, and four rebounds. Meanwhile, Cason Wallace contributed 23 points, shooting 9-for-17, including 3-for-6 from beyond the arc, along with five assists.
Asked Mark Daigneault about Jaylin Williams’ toughness tonight:
— Justin Martinez (@Justintohoops) February 26, 2026
“He was unreal tonight. Great toughness and obviously great offense. I think that must be a career high for him. We flowed through him against a team that really pressures, similar to what we’ve had to do lately. He… pic.twitter.com/7xYzLWCbYi
Daigneault applauded his team's resilience, especially in the absence of key scorers like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Ajay Mitchell. Their tenacity was on full display in a 116-107 victory over the Raptors, a game that left a lasting impression on the coach.
“It becomes a very tough game to win when you blow a lead like that, and they come back and tie the game,” Daigneault explained. He noted the team's mental toughness, referencing a recent game against Cleveland where they overcame similar adversity.
Cason Wallace was instrumental during a crucial stretch, scoring four straight points and assisting Isaiah, contributing to a seven-point burst that helped the Thunder regain control. “Cason was brilliant all night, but he was huge in that stretch,” Daigneault added.
Looking ahead, the Thunder are set to host the Denver Nuggets at the Paycom Center on Friday, eager to continue their resilient play.