Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did two things when he sank two free throws with 13.2 seconds remaining in Game 1 between his Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets. First, and most importantly in the moment,

For the Thunder, it was to foul up three and never give the Nuggets a chance at a decent look from the outside. For the Nuggets, it was to breathe in some final hopes to snatch Game 1. Chet Holmgren blinked first in the game of chicken.

Oklahoma City repeatedly “fouled up three” in the closing seconds, and Denver rallied for a stunning victory to open the Western Conference semifinals.