While fans might panic and write obituaries for a possible all-time collapse of another Round 2 exit, the Oklahoma City Thunder aren’t afforded the same emotional bandwidth. Playing every other day, they must move on from a frustrating 113-104 Game 3 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets and prepare for Game 4 to avoid a 3-1 series deficit.

That’s the NBA playoffs for you. One day, you’re riding high as fans prepare plans for a June parade. The next day, they want their front office to blow it up out of pure frustration.

While the Thunder let another game slip through their fingers, their goal for this Denver three-day stay remains achievable. All they need to do is get Game 4 and retake homecourt advantage before they return to OKC for an important Game 5.

If anybody on the Thunder knows about the volatile ups and downs of the NBA playoffs, it’s Alex Caruso. The 31-year-old is the sole NBA champion on OKC’s roster when he won a ring with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. He talked up the 2-1 deficit and said he loves the challenges that come at this point of the year.

“I was excited to play Denver because I knew they were gonna bring greatness out of us. That’s no disrespect to Memphis, but we were gonna win that series. Especially once Ja went out just based off of talent level,” Caruso said. “Denver is a smart and experienced team. I know this is the challenge that’s going to push us to be great. I think we’re seeing that. I’m a firm believer we’re going to go over that hump and find ways to win this.”

Not as dire, but the Thunder were in a similar spot after a Game 1 shocker. They couldn’t afford to go down 2-0 against the Nuggets right out of the gate. They responded with a historic demolition in Game 2. As the series starts to run out of games, Game 4’s importance is multiplied tenfold.

Alex Caruso: “I was excited to play Denver because I knew they were gonna bring greatness out of us. That’s no disrespect to Memphis, but we were gonna win that series. Especially once Ja went out just based off of talent level. Denver is a smart and experienced team.” pic.twitter.com/nNvTZzVgfD

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 10, 2025