OKLAHOMA CITY — In a thrilling encounter, Stephen Curry showcased his remarkable skills by scoring 36 points, leading the Golden State Warriors past the Oklahoma City Thunder with a final score of 127-116 on Sunday night.
The Thunder faced an unfortunate setback when forward Chet Holmgren had to exit the game due to a right hip injury sustained in the first quarter. This loss overshadowed an important clash between two of the top contenders in the Western Conference.
Alongside Curry’s impressive performance, the Warriors also benefited from key contributions by Jonathan Kuminga, who scored 20 points, and De’Anthony Melton, who registered a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Andrew Wiggins added 18 points to the Warriors’ tally.
Golden State built a significant lead, going up by as much as 30 points late in the third quarter. However, the Thunder mounted a fierce comeback, highlighted by a steal and dunk from Alex Caruso that narrowed the Warriors’ lead to just six points with 4:46 remaining in the game, but the Warriors managed to regain their composure and control.
For Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 24 points, while Jalen Williams chipped in 20 points. Unfortunately for the Thunder, this marked their first home defeat of the season.
Key Takeaways:
For the Warriors, the version of Curry witnessed in this game is exactly what Oklahoma City fans have come to expect. The seasoned guard shot 7 of 13 from beyond the arc and 13 of 23 overall, demonstrating his ability to drive the team to victory when he’s in top form.
On the other hand, the Thunder’s successful defense strategy, which heavily relied on Holmgren’s rim protection, suffered without him on the court. This absence forced the guards to play less aggressively, weakening their overall defensive structure in the paint.
Significant Moment:
As Oklahoma City trimmed the deficit to 116-108, Curry delivered a crucial 3-pointer while falling, extending the Warriors’ lead back to at least seven points with just 3:23 remaining in the game.
Statistical Insight:
The Warriors’ efficiency was highlighted by their shooting percentage, as they finished the night with an impressive 50.6% from the field. This marked the first instance this season where a Thunder opponent shot above 50%.
Looking Ahead:
The Warriors are set to visit Dallas on Tuesday, while the Thunder will host the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night, seeking to bounce back from this defeat.