It's no secret that the Oklahoma City Thunder are on a tear this season. Through their first 24 games, they are 23-1 and currently on a 14-game win streak.
All the while, the Thunder have dealt with plenty of injuries. Jalen Williams missed 19 games due to a hand injury, while Lugentz Dort and Alex Caruso have each missed nine games due to injury.
These injuries have caused Mark Daigneault to lean on his reserves, something the Thunder did often last season. Particularly, Ajay Mitchell has stepped up this season, averaging 14.4 points per game to go along with 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
When asked by the media if he's learned anything from his bench performers this season, Daigneault had this to say: “It was nothing that we hadn’t seen or we didn’t know, but everybody wants to touch the outcome of the game. It helps chemistry. It helps engagement.”
The numbers certainly back this up.
Thus far, the Thunder rank sixth in the association in bench points per game, averaging 40.5 per contest. The Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors are the only other playoff teams that average more.
Given Oklahoma City's success, there's a lot to be said about Daigneault's philosophy. It's hard to argue against playing a deep rotation, given their success, in addition to their on and off-court chemistry.
Oklahoma City returns to action on Wednesday night, hosting the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
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