May 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) react to a play during the second half in game one of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

OKC Thunder Coach Breaks Silence on Controversial Decision vs Nuggets

Originally posted on Denver Nuggets on SI
By Farbod Esnaashari | Last updated May 6, 2025 1:05 AM ET

It looked like the Oklahoma City Thunder were set to come out of Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals with a win against the Denver Nuggets.

The team had a comfortable three-point lead in the final seconds, but they decided to foul up three points. Unfortunately for the Thunder, they decided to foul with way too much time on the clock. It was a decision that absolutely snakebit them and cost them the game as Aaron Gordon hit a game-winner.

AARON GORDON 3 FOR THE WIN!!!@nuggets take Game 1 in a THRILLER pic.twitter.com/fxV2ReRPZA
— NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2025

After the game, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault justified fouling up three points. Despite it being a decision many disagreed with, Daigneault still stood by it.

"I thought we executed the fouls pretty well, it didn't go our way tonight, but it's worked out well for us in the past," Daigneault said. "I didn't think that's why we lost the game."

Mark Daigneault:

"I thought we executed the fouls pretty well, it didn't go our way tonight, but it's worked out well for us in the past. I didn't think that's why we lost the game" pic.twitter.com/DfuJ7gbUJ5
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) May 6, 2025

The Oklahoma City Thunder head coach also added that the players may have gone up to foul three a bit early. Most importantly, he took accountability for the decision.

Mark Daigneault “the foul on 3, that’s on me” mentioned it isn’t on the players they’re executing what he is telling them to do. Added he might’ve gone to foul up 3 a bit too early.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 6, 2025

While fouling up three points was an absolute blunder for the Oklahoma City Thunder, it was a blessing for the Denver Nuggets. Similar to Game 4 against the LA Clippers, somehow, everything worked perfectly for the Nuggets in the final seconds of the game.

The Denver Nuggets just happen to be one of the league's best teams in the clutch, and they've proved it all playoffs.

This article first appeared on Denver Nuggets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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