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.” Asked if he was bracing for a shift in what Friday’s crew allowed physically, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault attempted to take air out of the narrative.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault reacts to losing Game 3 in overtime against the Nuggets, and goals for Game 4.