Thunder Beat Warriors 104-97
Oklahoma City Thunder pulled off a hard-fought 104-97 victory over Golden State despite the Warriors pushing them to the brink. The win keeps the Thunder on top of the Western Conference as playoff positioning intensifies, while Golden State misses a chance to gain crucial ground in the standings.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 27 points, making 14 of his 15 free-throw attempts. This performance marked his 125th consecutive game scoring at least 20 points, leaving him just one game shy of tying Wilt Chamberlain's record. A crucial 3-pointer from Gilgeous-Alexander with 42.4 seconds remaining extended Oklahoma City's lead to five and sealed the victory. The Thunder achieved this win despite being significantly shorthanded. They were without regular starters Chet Holmgren due to illness, and Jalen Williams, who has a strained right hamstring. Golden State was also missing its superstar, as Stephen Curry sat out his 13th straight game with a right knee injury. For the Warriors, Gui Santos stepped up in Curry's absence, leading the team with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Draymond Green contributed 16 points, while Brandin Podziemski added 17. However, the team struggled with shooting, hitting just 40.9% from the field. This victory was Oklahoma City's fifth straight and their 50th win of the season, making them the first team in the league to reach that milestone this year. The win streak has been perfect since Gilgeous-Alexander returned from an abdominal strain. The Thunder now hold a record of 50-15, placing them at the top of the Western Conference. The Warriors' loss was a setback in their recent performance, as they have now gone 4-6 in their last 10 games. Next up, the Thunder will host the Denver Nuggets, while the Warriors will travel to face the Utah Jazz.
