NBA: Thunder sign coach Mark Daigneault to multiyear extension after play-in berth

FILE – Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault gestures in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets, Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder signed coach Mark Daigneault to a multiyear contract extension after emerging as one of the NBA’s most improved teams last season.

General manager Sam Presti announced the deal Wednesday but did not disclose the terms, per team policy.

Daigneault led Oklahoma City to a 40-42 record and a play-in tournament victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in a season when the Thunder were widely expected to struggle, especially after No. 2 draft pick Chet Holmgren suffered a foot injury and missed the entire season. Oklahoma City’s 16-win improvement ranked second in the NBA, and Daigneault finished as runner-up in league coach of the year voting.

Daigneault was promoted to head coach in November 2020 after spending five seasons at the helm of the Oklahoma City Blue, the team’s G League affiliate, and serving as a Thunder assistant in 2019.

Daigneault led the Blue to three straight division titles and four playoff appearances before joining the Thunder bench.