The Oklahoma City Thunder suffered their first playoff loss of the year on Monday night, losing in the final seconds to the Denver Nuggets.

As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went to the free-throw line, the OKC crowd seamlessly went from "MVP" chants to a standard ovation. The old saying goes that you never forget your high school sweetheart. Oklahoma City Thunder fans can attest to that with Russell Westbrook.

Last night was a terrific evening for Russell Westbrook. That was until things got awkward after Game 1. Westbrook received a standing ovation during the matchup against his old team, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

It's the first time Sam Presti, who is in his 18th season with the Thunder franchise, has won the award that an executive from each team votes on.

The physicality in these NBA Playoffs is palpable, and most teams are sensing the shift. Some, like the Oklahoma City Thunder, even seem satisfied by it.

Sam Presti of the Oklahoma City Thunder was announced Tuesday as the NBA’s executive of the year, the reward for building that team into a juggernaut that won a league-best 68 games this season.