Nuggets Rally Late, Seize Game 1 from Thunder

The Denver Nuggets overcame a double-digit deficit to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-119 in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals, seizing home-court advantage with a last-second three-pointer by Aaron Gordon. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault's strategy to intentionally foul while up three late in the game backfired due to poor execution and timing, leaving the Nuggets enough time to respond. Missed free throws by Chet Holmgren further contributed to the Thunder's collapse. Daigneault accepted responsibility for the decision and its execution, acknowledging the need for improvement. The loss ignited debate among analysts and fans over the merits of the 'foul up three' approach and whether the Thunder's reliance on analytics was to blame. With Denver's resilience on display, Oklahoma City faces pressure to adjust as the series continues.