The DESI collaboration has released BAO data from the first year of observations, indicating a preference for time-evolving dark energy when combined with CMB and SN Ia data. Replacing DESI BAO data at z < 0.8 with SDSS data shows that this preference is mainly driven by the LRG samples at z_eff = 0.51 and 0.71, with the latter having the most impact. A general Horndeski scalar-tensor theory is studied, which allows dark energy to cross the phantom divide. Constraints on parameters w0 = -0.856 ± 0.062 and wa = -0.53 ± 0.28 are derived, showing consistency with the w0waCDM model. The modified gravity model shows a 2.4σ preference over ΛCDM, while the w0waCDM model shows a 2.5σ preference. The analysis shows that modified gravity offers a viable explanation for DESI's preference for evolving dark energy. The study highlights the importance of testing modified gravity models to interpret DESI results. The results suggest that the preference for evolving dark energy may be a statistical fluctuation rather than a sign of new physics. Future data from DESI DR3 and Euclid will help clarify this. The study concludes that modified gravity provides a physical explanation for DESI's preference for evolving dark energy.The DESI collaboration has released BAO data from the first year of observations, indicating a preference for time-evolving dark energy when combined with CMB and SN Ia data. Replacing DESI BAO data at z < 0.8 with SDSS data shows that this preference is mainly driven by the LRG samples at z_eff = 0.51 and 0.71, with the latter having the most impact. A general Horndeski scalar-tensor theory is studied, which allows dark energy to cross the phantom divide. Constraints on parameters w0 = -0.856 ± 0.062 and wa = -0.53 ± 0.28 are derived, showing consistency with the w0waCDM model. The modified gravity model shows a 2.4σ preference over ΛCDM, while the w0waCDM model shows a 2.5σ preference. The analysis shows that modified gravity offers a viable explanation for DESI's preference for evolving dark energy. The study highlights the importance of testing modified gravity models to interpret DESI results. The results suggest that the preference for evolving dark energy may be a statistical fluctuation rather than a sign of new physics. Future data from DESI DR3 and Euclid will help clarify this. The study concludes that modified gravity provides a physical explanation for DESI's preference for evolving dark energy.