Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered another clutch performance, scoring 35 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 105-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors.
With this win, Oklahoma City extended its streak to three consecutive victories, improving to 14-4 on the season and solidifying their spot among the top teams in the Western Conference.
The Thunder faced a late scare when Andrew Wiggins hit a three-pointer with 11 seconds remaining to trim the lead to just one point. After Gilgeous-Alexander missed one of his free throws on the ensuing possession, Wiggins had a chance to tie the game. However, Luguentz Dort came up with a game-saving block on Wiggins’ layup attempt, sealing the hard-fought win for Oklahoma City.
Gilgeous-Alexander followed up his 37-point outing from Monday’s win over Sacramento with another impressive performance, shooting 13-for-28 from the field. His scoring prowess and poise in crunch time once again proved why he’s becoming one of the league’s most reliable closers.
The Warriors, playing without Stephen Curry, were led by Jonathan Kuminga, who returned from a two-game absence due to illness and scored a team-high 19 points. Golden State, now 12-6, fell to 3-1 this season in games without their two-time MVP. Despite Kuminga’s efforts and Buddy Hield’s sharp shooting from beyond the arc, the Warriors struggled to close out the game in Curry’s absence.
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A pivotal moment for Oklahoma City came late in the first half when Jalen Williams exited the game with a right eye injury after being dunked on by Kuminga. Williams limped off the court and did not return for the second half, leaving the Thunder shorthanded. During halftime, he was seen with an ice pack over his eye, and his status for the next game remains uncertain.
Despite missing one of their key players, the Thunder capitalized on Golden State’s mistakes, scoring 15 points off 11 first-half turnovers by the Warriors. The defense, anchored by Dort and the versatile Gilgeous-Alexander, played a crucial role in keeping Golden State’s offense in check.
Golden State’s Draymond Green added to the drama by picking up his sixth technical foul of the season with 5:40 left in the second quarter. Green’s temper and physical play were on full display, but he managed to avoid further incidents. With 16 technical fouls leading to an automatic one-game suspension, Green will need to tread carefully as the season progresses.
While the Warriors’ offense showed flashes, particularly from deep, where Hield shot 5-for-8 and moved past Dirk Nowitzki for 18th on the NBA’s all-time three-pointers list, their 17 turnovers ultimately cost them. Hield is now just one triple away from tying Jason Kidd for 17th on that prestigious list.
The Thunder’s ability to force turnovers and convert them into points has been a consistent strength throughout their season. They showcased that once again, outscoring Golden State in transition and exploiting the Warriors’ mistakes when it mattered most.
For Oklahoma City, the win marks another step forward in their quest to establish themselves as legitimate contenders in the Western Conference. The team will need to monitor Williams’ injury closely, especially as they continue their road trip with a challenging matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.
Meanwhile, the Warriors will look to regroup as they begin a brief two-game road trip, starting with a visit to Phoenix on Saturday. With Curry sidelined due to knee discomfort, Golden State will rely heavily on Kuminga, Wiggins, and Hield to carry the offensive load and stay competitive in a tightly packed Western Conference.
This game was a testament to the Thunder’s resilience and depth. Even without Williams in the second half, they found a way to grind out a victory against a battle-tested Warriors squad. If Gilgeous-Alexander continues his MVP-caliber form and the supporting cast steps up in critical moments, Oklahoma City will be a team to watch as the season unfolds.