Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Drops 38, Thunder Beat Warriors 124-112/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder with 38 points in a 124-112 win over the Golden State Warriors. Despite a strong effort from the Warriors’ bench, the defending champions held firm behind clutch late shots from Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren. Golden State played without Stephen Curry and lost Jimmy Butler at halftime due to injury.
Thunder vs. Warriors Game Quick Looks
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 38, including clutch 3-pointer late
- Thunder improve to 21-1, remain NBA’s top team
- Chet Holmgren adds 21 points, hits key fourth-quarter 3
- Jalen Williams contributes 22 points and six assists
- Warriors fall short without Stephen Curry and second-half Jimmy Butler
- Seth Curry makes debut, scores 14 points off bench
- Brandin Podziemski, Pat Spencer each score 17 for Golden State
- Thunder hand Warriors just third home loss of the season
Deep Look: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Powers Thunder Past Warriors in 124-112 Victory
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder continue to prove why they’re the team to beat in the NBA. Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 38-point performance, the defending champions held off a gritty Golden State Warriors squad 124-112 on Tuesday night at Chase Center.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s second-leading scorer this season at 32.5 points per game, put on a clinic with timely buckets and elite shot-making. His deep 3-pointer with 3:34 remaining helped seal the win, while his explosive nine-point surge in the final 1:16 of the first half gave the Thunder a commanding 63-44 halftime lead.
Thunder Continue Dominant Season
Oklahoma City (21-1) has been nearly unstoppable through the first quarter of the season. On a night when the Warriors refused to go away, the Thunder executed in crunch time to secure their 11th straight win.
Chet Holmgren, continuing to make his case for All-Star consideration, drilled a go-ahead three-pointer from the top of the arc with just over six minutes left in regulation. He finished with 21 points and eight rebounds, showcasing his versatility on both ends.
Jalen Williams added another strong showing, scoring 22 points and dishing out six assists, while helping keep the Thunder’s offense balanced throughout the game.
Warriors Shorthanded, But Competitive
The Warriors, missing star guard Stephen Curry for a second straight game due to a left quadriceps injury, battled hard. Curry suffered the injury last Wednesday against Houston and is day-to-day.
Seth Curry made his season debut after rejoining Golden State earlier this week. After receiving a warm welcome from the home crowd late in the first quarter, he scored his first basket midway through the second. He ended the night with 14 points on efficient shooting, giving the Warriors a needed scoring boost.
Brandin Podziemski scored 17 and hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to close the third quarter, narrowing the Thunder’s lead to just three (91-88). Pat Spencer matched him with a career-high 17 points and six assists, including a key putback and three-pointer during a late third-quarter run that brought the game within one.
Jimmy Butler Exits Early
Golden State suffered a major blow when Jimmy Butler exited at halftime with a sore left knee. Butler had already been dealing with a bruised glute from a fall in Saturday’s win over the Pelicans. He started the game but appeared to aggravate the injury midway through the second quarter after losing a shoe and hobbling under the basket.
Without Butler or Curry in the second half, Golden State’s comeback effort stalled, despite a spirited performance from the bench and a vocal home crowd.
Other Key Contributors
Gary Payton II turned in a well-rounded effort for Golden State, finishing with 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Draymond Green and Buddy Hield also added 13 points each, but the Warriors struggled to contain Oklahoma City’s explosive offense in the closing minutes.
The Thunder’s ability to share the ball and rotate scorers continues to be a major reason for their success. Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring has been a constant, but contributions from Holmgren, Williams, and their deep supporting cast have made them arguably the NBA’s most complete team.
What’s Next
- Thunder: Return home to host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night
- Warriors: Begin a three-game road trip Thursday in Philadelphia
As the Thunder continue their dominant stretch, the Warriors will look to regroup on the road — and hope for the return of Curry and Butler to stabilize their lineup.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.