Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

“Backcourt fouls hurt us” – OKC Thunder Head Coach Takes Blame for His Late-Game Fouling Strategy in Game 1 Loss to Nuggets

Oklahoma City collapsed badly in last three minutes to drop a game after a double-digit lead.

Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault takes accountability for his team’s 121-119 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals. He believes his late-game strategy helped Denver to take a decisive lead in the final seconds.

During the fourth quarter, the Thunder held a three-point lead and Daigneault planned a strategy to foul intentionally to prevent a game-tying three. However, it didn’t work out for the Thunder as Chet Holmgren missed two clutch free throws and Gordon hit a 3-pointer with 2.8 seconds remaining to close the game for Denver.

Also Read: “It Was the Best Look” – Aaron Gordon’s Ice-Cold Dagger Lifts Nuggets Over Thunder in Playoffs Shocker

Daigneault Admits His Mistake and Feels His Execution Was Flawed

During the post-game, the Thunder coach accepted his mistake and admitted the bad execution cost them a game.

“I did think the backcourt fouls hurt us. And again, we can learn from that, the fouling up three, that’s on me,” Daigneault talked to the reporters. “I think giving a foul and getting the foul executed is critical.”

“If there’s something to be learned from that, it’s probably giving it too early on my part. That’s not on the players. They’re executing what I tell them to do,” he added.

Later said: “The backcourt fouls hurt us. We can learn from fouling up 3, that’s on me. …it’s probably too early on my part. But that’s not on the players. They’re executing what I’m telling them to do.” https://t.co/nIYPRVJ3hL
— Joel Lorenzi (@JoelXLorenzi) May 6, 2025

The OKC Thunder had a 104-95 lead in the starting of the fourth quarter and Denver reduced the deficit to just one point with nine seconds left in the game. Before this, Daigneault attempted a foul strategy which helped Nikola Jokic to score two three throws. Later, Shai-Alexander hit a three-pointer to take a 119-116 lead with 11 seconds left.

Aaron Gordon made two more three throws to take it 119-118 and later, Hologram spoiled the chances for Thunder with missing two free throws. Gordon dropped a ice-cold dagger with the help of Russell Westbrook to close the game for the Thunder.

ICYMI… the final two minutes of Nuggets/Thunder UNCUT 🍿💥

Denver pulls out the improbable win to take a 1-0 series lead! pic.twitter.com/loYAsoPJcc
— NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2025

“Usually our deal is: to foul up by three. And to play that game. I think we executed the fouls pretty well,” Oklahoma City coach said. “Got the ball inbounds pretty well.

“Didn’t go our way tonight, but it’s worked out well for us in the past. We continue to look at it, learn from it. But I didn’t think that’s why we lost the game,” he concluded.

Strategically, it was a bad move from the Thunder when Nikola Jokic was off the floor and the Nuggets had no timeouts. Denver closed the game on a 26-11 run. Oklahoma City collapsed badly in last three minutes and they would hope to correct their mistakes to come stronger in Game 2.

Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Denver Nuggets

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OKC Thunder

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.