According to Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, these are the growing pains the second-youngest first seed has to go through to have playoff success. The title favorite now faces a 2-1 series deficit and must split with Denver to avoid a dreaded 3-1 hole.

Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon said after the Nuggets' 149-106 Game 2 loss Wednesday that the Thunder is “fouling. Point blank, period.” Mark Daigneault had his own take.

After a 113-104 loss in overtime, where the Denver Nuggets grabbed an 11-2 advantage in the extra period, Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault says adversity is par for the course. To be great and fulfill the championship aspirations put forth by his 2024-25 Thunder squad comes with hurdles.

Alexander peered into the crowd during his stroll off the court and smiled, the only visible set of teeth amid a line of seething Thunder players.  Jeers swelled in his direction. His ears perked up at them,

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander actually had a good reason for that sly smile on his face after the Thunder's loss to the Nuggets.

Jalen Williams had one of his best games with 32 points on 11-of-21 shooting. The rest of the Thunder struggled to show up, though. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 18 points on 7-of-22 shooting and Chet Holmgren had 18 points and 16 rebounds.