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The Oklahoma City Thunder held practice on Saturday. After a week's wait, they finally learned their Round 1 opponent in the 2026 NBA playoffs. They will face the Phoenix Suns, with Game 1 happening on Sunday.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault and Ajay Mitchell talked to the local media after practice. It's the first time they've talked since the Suns clinched the eighth seed with a play-in tournament win over the Golden State Warriors.
Daigneault talked about the Suns' matchup and what they bring to the table. He spoke highly about them and how they played like a playoff squad all season. Mitchell talked about his heightened expectations in this year's playoffs. He was outside of the rotation last year but has blossomed into a must-play player.
Here's what else happened at OKC's Saturday, Apr. 18 practice:
Thunder practice today. Getting ready to face the Suns tomorrow for Game 1 pic.twitter.com/RfTRushGsF
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 18, 2026
Jalen Williams putting up shots at practice today pic.twitter.com/JnKsWmyiOE
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 18, 2026
Ajay Mitchell on the Suns: “It’s a physical team so gotta be ready to go.” pic.twitter.com/b6Xrh6tTfR
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 18, 2026
Ajay Mitchell on having a bigger role in this year’s playoffs: “It’s exciting. Just really happy to get out there and help.” pic.twitter.com/dc6fVxVNfl
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 18, 2026
Ajay Mitchell on preparing for this year’s playoffs compared to last year’s: “I mean, much better. Obviously, it's always great to be able to be healthy and be able to be ready to go. I just, I just feel great, man. I'm just excited to get started.” pic.twitter.com/NmOsZnmGZj
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 18, 2026
Ajay Mitchell on if he watched the Warriors-Sun play-in tournament game: “I stayed up until the first half and then I went to bed.” pic.twitter.com/cvRb0BBSJk
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 18, 2026
Mark Daigneault on the Suns: “They’re in the playoffs for a reason. Phoenix had a really good season. They were flirting with the 6th seed for much of the latter half of the season, then they dealt with some injury. They've been a team that's almost been a foregone conclusion… pic.twitter.com/GfiwHaoQi1
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 18, 2026
Mark Daigneault on the OKC playoff atmosphere: “The guys love this. We love this. This is what it's all about. It's a great environment in the playoffs. It's the highest stakes part of the season. This is what these guys dream about and our goal now is just to channel that.” pic.twitter.com/cnDF6KZCqT
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 18, 2026
Mark Daigneault joking about Ajay Mitchell saying he went to bed at halftime of the Suns-Warriors game: “It’s good to know that because curfew for them is 10.”
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) April 18, 2026
Also said: “It was an impressive win by them. The shot making down the stretch stood out. They showed their prowess.” pic.twitter.com/dLUHRhG4gL
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Recap: What happened at OKC Thunder's Saturday, Apr. 18 practice