Thunder Notes: Jalen Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Mark Daigneault

Injuries not used as excuse

Oklahoma City played most of the Western Conference finals without Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, who were sidelined by hamstring and calf injuries, respectively.

Veteran guard Alex Caruso acknowledged injuries were a factor but stopped well short of using them as an excuse.

According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Caruso said the Thunder were fortunate to stay healthy during last year’s championship run and simply had worse luck this season.

Coach Mark Daigneault struck a similar tone.

“We felt like we could have won the series,” Daigneault said. “There’s nobody that we don’t think we can beat, respectfully.”

Williams believes he would’ve helped

Williams avoided making excuses as well, but he didn’t hide his belief that he could have impacted the outcome.

“We went to seven with them without me playing,” Williams said, via The Oklahoman. “I don’t think I make us worse.”

The All-Star forward also tipped his cap to San Antonio, noting the Spurs shouldn’t be blamed for taking advantage of the opportunity in front of them.

The good news for Oklahoma City is that Williams is expected to enter next season healthy after battling injuries for much of the past year.

SGA already looking ahead

If there was one quote that summed up the Thunder’s mindset, it may have come from MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Despite another brilliant season, Gilgeous-Alexander called the year a failure because Oklahoma City didn’t accomplish its ultimate goal.

“I failed at my goal,” he said. “I didn’t achieve what I wanted to achieve.”

The MVP added that some of the biggest growth in his career has come from disappointment, and he plans to approach this offseason no differently.

For a team that won 64 games and reached Game 7 of the Western Conference finals, the loss still stings.

The Thunder just don’t sound interested in feeling sorry for themselves.