Mark Daigneault Admits Blame After Devastating Thunder Game 1 Loss

The Oklahoma City Thunder now trails the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Despite holding a double-digit lead midway through the fourth quarter, the Nuggets' tenacity proved too much to hold off.

It also didn't help that one of their star players shot just 25% from the field.

Mark Daigneault admits blame

With the Thunder up late, they opted to start fouling to prevent the Nuggets from cutting into the deficit by shooting three-pointers.

The strategy proved not to work, as Aaron Gordon made a three-pointer with seconds remaining to help earn the win. Unfortunately, it was after a pair of missed free throws from Chet Holmgren.

While Holmgren wouldn't have been able to put the game away by making the free throws, the Thunder likely would've played different defense knowing Denver had to make a three to extend the evening.

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach took the blame for the team's intentional fouls.

"Fouling up three, that's on me," Daigneault said. "The foul executed is critical. If there's something to learn from that, it's probably giving the foul too early... that's not on the players. They're executing what I tell them to do."