As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander strolled into the interview room sporting his designer shades, the reality of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s stunning collapse in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinals series against the Denver Nuggets had begun to settle in. After leading by 14 points in the second half, the Thunder let it slip away, falling 121-119 in a game that will be remembered not just for the loss, but for the missed opportunities that led to it.
This playoff opener marked the first time in a decade a team has lost at home despite holding a lead of nine points or more in the game’s closing minutes—a clear testament to how crucial composure is in high-stakes situations. Gilgeous-Alexander, despite the disappointment, leaned into the situation as a learning experience. “It should be fun,” he reflected optimistically after the game. “We’re going to find out what we’re really made of. It’s a bump in the road—unexpected, but it’s about how you respond to getting knocked down.”
The final moments tell a story of missed execution and the resilience the team will need if they hope to rebound. After Gilgeous-Alexander hit a 3-pointer with just over four minutes left, the Thunder seemed poised for victory. However, Denver roared back, outscoring Oklahoma City 19-6 in the final stretch, thanks in part to the stellar performance of Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, who bled the Thunder defense with an outstanding 42-point game.
Oklahoma City’s late-game offense suffered mightily, with Gilgeous-Alexander’s emphatic dunk with only 11 seconds remaining being the only point they managed in the last three minutes. “I can do a better job of getting us organized and getting us quality looks,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said candidly. He recognized the need for improvement across the board—both on the court and in his coaching decisions. “We all need to execute better. I need to coach better, and we need to be a better team in Game 2.”
One of the pivotal moments was Oklahoma City’s strategy of fouling while protecting a slim three-point lead in the waning seconds. The team committed fouls that allowed Denver to gain precious time and opportunities to score, with Alex Caruso taking quick fouls that regrettably cost them the chance to run down the clock. Caruso, who had an impressive game with 20 points, 6 assists, 5 steals, and 2 blocks, admitted, “I probably need to do a better job of that. But you don’t want to be in that position.” His reflection underscores the notion that while the final moments are critical, the foundation for this loss was laid earlier in the game.
The Thunder had a final chance to secure the game when Chet Holmgren stepped up to the line with 9.1 seconds left. But missing both free throws left the door ajar for Denver. Just moments later, the Nuggets capitalized with Aaron Gordon hitting a crucial transition three, sealing the game and sending the crowd at the Paycom Center into shock.
“They’ve got to embrace the struggle of the playoffs,” Daigneault noted. He emphasized the necessity of facing and overcoming adversity, recognizing the playoffs as a tough climb for any team. If Oklahoma City hopes to recover and rebound in this series, they will need to embody that spirit, turning this painful lesson into a roadmap for success in Game 2.
