Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault on Saturday called a coach’s challenge with his team’s season on the line. Not everyone agreed with his decision.
The Thunder took a 116-115 lead on a Chet Holmgren alley-oop dunk with just seconds to play in Game 6 of their Western Conference semifinal matchup against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was called for a foul on PJ Washington’s go-ahead three-point attempt with 2.1 seconds left in the contest.
Was this a foul?
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 19, 2024
Daigneault opted to challenge the call and lost, which burned the Thunder’s final timeout. Washington made his first two free throws and missed the third. With OKC out of timeouts, the Thunder’s last attempt of the game came on a desperation heave that fell short in the 117-116 Mavericks win.
Daigneault’s decision drew a lot of criticism on social media.
What an awful challenge by the Thunder. Going to lose the timeout and now can’t advance the ball.
— Jimmy Cook (@theJCook) May 19, 2024
Idk why thunder called a challenge for that 😭😭
— Dex 😮💨 (@iamdexter21) May 19, 2024
Thunder coach should be fired that challenge is idiotic
— Jay Gatsby (@nick_nervies) May 19, 2024
Worst challenge in nba history, Thunder coach should be canned tonight
— Alex 〽️orsey (@Morse_Code20) May 19, 2024
Thunder might’ve made the worst challenge decision in NBA history.
— John Lund (@lundinbridge) May 19, 2024
The Thunder could have iced the game had the challenge gone their way. But the decision also essentially risked their entire season on the NBA Replay Center’s interpretation of a foul call.
Holding on to the challenge would have at least allowed OKC to advance the basketball for a better chance to win the game. Instead, the Thunder saw their season come to an unceremonious end.
