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The Oklahoma City Thunder suffered their first postseason loss, falling to the Denver Nuggets 121-119 in a nail-biting Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Monday night. Despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's impressive 33-point performance, the Thunder could not hold onto their late lead.
The Thunder led by 14 points in the second half, but the Nuggets mounted a comeback, outscoring Oklahoma City 19-6 in the final minutes. Nikola Jokic was instrumental in the Nuggets' rally, scoring 11 of his game-high 42 points during this crucial stretch. Denver's Aaron Gordon sealed the victory with a game-winning three-pointer in the final seconds, following a missed opportunity by Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren at the free-throw line.
Gilgeous-Alexander, reflecting on the loss, said, "We're going to find out what we're made of, what we're really made of. No one expects to lose, especially that way, but it's the game of life. So it's about how you respond to getting knocked down." Thunder coach Mark Daigneault emphasized the need for better execution and coaching in Game 2.
The Thunder's strategy of fouling to protect a lead backfired, allowing Denver to extend the game. Alex Caruso, who contributed 20 points and six assists, acknowledged his role in the final moments, stating, "I could probably just run some more time off the clock, and I probably need to do a better job of that."
Game 2 is set for tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. at the Paycom Center, where the Thunder will aim to bounce back and even the series.