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[Saba Sports News] Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault faced scrutiny after deciding to use a coach’s challenge in the critical moments of Game 6 against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Thunder had just taken a 116-115 lead thanks to a Chet Holmgren alley-oop dunk when, with only 2.1 seconds left, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was called for fouling PJ Washington on a three-point attempt. Daigneault challenged the call and lost, which not only depleted the Thunder’s last timeout but also faced criticism for the risky move.
Washington hit two of his three free throws, and without timeouts, the Thunder’s final play was a failed desperation shot, resulting in a 117-116 loss. The decision to challenge was heavily debated on social media, as retaining the timeout could have provided a strategic advantage for a better final shot, potentially altering the outcome of their season.