Denver (AP) - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasn't angry about his night. He also did not bow his head after losing to the Denver Nuggets for the second time in three games.

He just smiled. And, his smile (like his determination) only grows when some fans in the prom arena leave the court after a 113-104 overtime loss.

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“It’s easy to laugh when you wake up,” said Gilgeous-Alexander, who had seven of his 22-year-olds Friday night, including six in the three-point range, with one in one point, and 18 points. "I never want to show them I'm beaten or crazy or something like that. Nothing is written. The series isn't over yet, and we have a lot to be optimistic about.

"I didn't show it my way, but after that, I had the chance to make up for it in the next game and the next game. I'm optimistic about it."

The Thunders had 43 points gone from Denver in Game 2 and everything seemed easy. The game was a wear and tear, especially in overtime, where they scored 11-2 with a score of 11-2, and handed it to two times.

It's all part of the process for the young Thunder, who trailed 2-1 in the series entering Game 4 at Ball Arena on Sunday.

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"The loss is always stinging, especially in the playoffs," said coach Mark Digneault, whose team swept Memphis in the first round. "But I'm going to say that we're becoming a great team and we've checked a lot of boxes in the process. One of the things that needs to be a great team is that you're at a huge limit in the playoffs and you're facing challenges."

The benefit of the Thunder's Game 3: Nikola Jokic, who holds the NBA MVP, hit eight of 25 shots, including 10 of his three-point shooting percentage. They also saw Jalen Williams burst out with 32 points and dominate the offensive committee 18-5. They beat Denver 56-32 in paint.

The poorly good hit rate in Game 3, with a 25.7% shooting percentage, behind the 3-point line and a rest night with Gilgeous-Alexander, was a favorite to win the MVP to beat Jokic.

"Losing is sucking, but when you do it, you can't throw everything out the window," Daigneault explained. "You have to learn from the good people and the bad things."

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The Thunder plan to study the movie and learn from Game 3 - just like they lost the first game of the series.

"Not everything is sunshine and rainbow," Williams said. "It's going to have a lot of ups and downs. It's about your victory between these days, and I think that's what makes a really great team."

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