Stephen Curry‘s Return Not Enough as Oklahoma City Throttles Golden State 126-102
OKLAHOMA CITY – The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a dominant performance,overwhelming the Golden State Warriors 126-102 in a highly anticipated matchup marked by the return of Warriors superstar Stephen Curry. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 8 points, alongside 3 assists, while the team showcased a balanced attack and stifling defence.
The loss for Golden State, despite Curry’s return after an absence, underscores the challenges facing the Warriors as they navigate a competitive Western Conference. Oklahoma City’s victory reinforces their position as a top contender, demonstrating their ability to control the game on both ends of the court. The Thunder’s efficient shooting – 42 of 83 field goals (50.6%) and 26 of 31 free throws (83.9%) – proved too much for the Warriors to overcome.
Oklahoma City seized control early, outscoring Golden State 34-25 in the first quarter and maintaining a lead throughout the contest.The Thunder’s offensive versatility was on full display, with contributions from multiple players, including Jalen Williams (8 points), Chet Holmgren (8 points), and Luguentz Dort (8 points). Golden state struggled to find consistent offense, falling behind by as many as 24 points.
The Thunder’s three-point shooting was also a key factor in the victory, connecting on 16 of 36 attempts (44.4%). Gilgeous-Alexander, Joe, and Holmgren each contributed multiple three-pointers.oklahoma city also dominated the boards, securing 11 team rebounds and limiting Golden State to 40.
Turnovers proved costly for both teams, with Oklahoma City committing 19 and Golden State turning the ball over 1. Caruso, Hartenstein, and Joe each had 3 turnovers for the thunder. On the defensive end, Oklahoma City registered 4 blocked shots, led by Gilgeous-Alexander, Hartenstein, Holmgren, and Mitchell. Caruso spearheaded the Thunder’s defensive effort with 5 steals.
Quarter Scores:
* Golden State: Q1 – 25, Q2 – 19, Q3 - 28, Q4 – 30, Total – 102
* Oklahoma City: Q1 – 34, Q2 – 29, Q3 – 44, Q4 – 19, Total – 126
Attendance: 18,203. Game Time: 2:18.
