The Golden State Warriors lost another prime opportunity for an early-season victory on Friday night, losing 138-136 in overtime to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Golden State Warriors missed another prime opportunity to win early in the season on Friday night, losing 138-136 in overtime to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In overtime on Friday night, the Golden State Warriors lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 138-136, losing yet another prime opportunity to secure an early-season win.
After the Warriors built a 14-point lead just past the halfway point in the second quarter, the Thunder clawed their way back into the game in the second and third quarters.
Andrew Wiggins was the only defender capable of containing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who posted 37 points, five rebounds, five assists, five steals, and one block.
The Thunder’s second-most impactful player was former Santa Clara star Jalen Williams, who scored 28 points on 12-for-15 shooting.
The Warriors offense did not struggle with shooting efficiency on Friday night. Instead, it was a cavalcade of turnovers. Golden State committed 28 turnovers in the game. Thunder’s rotation of young, athletic, and lengthy players certainly played some part, but there were a number of sloppy passes, poor decisions, and moving screens that were unforced.
Late in the third quarter, the Thunder led by seven points. For a second consecutive game, Jonathan Kuminga led a charge in the second half, scoring seven points in just over three minutes to start the fourth quarter and leading a 17-8 run. Despite finishing with 24 points and 12 rebounds, he led a 17-8 run.
It was 114-113 with only a minute left in the game when Curry found an angle at the rim and converted an and-one to put the Thunder up by one.
With a midrange fadeaway, Gilgeous-Alexander tied things up. Curry faced Dort on the right wing. The Warriors had a chance to get two-for-one but chose to be patient. Curry dribbled toward the hoop to his left, forcing Dort back before stepping back into a three-pointer.
The game should have never gone into overtime, despite Curry’s early struggles. He finished with 34 points on 10-for-20 shooting in the fourth quarter and overtime.
The Warriors needed to avoid fouling someone attempting a three-point shot despite being three points ahead. Instead, Draymond Green was too aggressive trying to steal the inbound pass, giving Chet Holmgren time to make an upward move. Holmgren made all three free throws, tying things up at 118.
The Dubs got the ball into Steph, who faced Dort, but could not generate the same amount of space and missed an opportunity to seal the victory.
With Curry the only Warriors starter left able to generate offense, Golden State fell behind early due to the Thunder’s youth in overtime. Curry knocked down some incredible shots again, but it was too late for Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski to provide a spark off the bench.
