Thunder Hold Off Warriors’ Push to Keep Historic Start Alive
So here’s what went down in this incredible Thunder vs. Warriors matchup — a game that looked like it might turn into a routine blowout, but instead turned into one of the more dramatic showings Golden State has produced all season. Oklahoma City came in as an absolute steamroller, already sitting at 20-1 and chasing some of the greatest starts in NBA history. But even without Steph Curry or Al Horford on the floor, the Warriors made sure this wasn’t just another night at the office for OKC.
The Thunder jumped out to a strong start, building a 19-point halftime lead that made it seem like the game was headed in one direction. But the third quarter flipped everything. Golden State — led by Seth Curry in his season debut — suddenly ignited. They won the quarter 44-28, slicing the deficit all the way down to a single point at 83-82. And keep in mind, they did all this after losing Jimmy Butler III at halftime due to a knee issue. For a shorthanded squad, it was a gutsy surge.
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But this is the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander era, and this Thunder team has shown time and again that they don’t panic. At the 6:35 mark of the fourth quarter, OKC was down by three when SGA checked back in. From that moment, the tone shifted. His midrange jumper put Oklahoma City ahead for good, and he quietly steered an 18-5 closing run that essentially sealed the game. Shai finished with 38 points — including a season-high five made threes — and hit three of his four shots in the final period. It wasn’t loud, it wasn’t flashy, but it was the steady hand of a reigning MVP doing what he does best.
He wasn’t alone. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren combined for 17 points in the fourth quarter, giving OKC the balance they needed when the Warriors started throwing punches. Even with Alex Caruso, Lu Dort, and Isaiah Hartenstein unavailable, the Thunder still moved to a 21-1 record — only the fourth team in NBA history to hit that mark. They’re now mentioned in the same breath as the 2016 Warriors, the ’94 Rockets, and the ’70 Knicks.
Golden State deserves credit, too. Six Warriors reached double figures, with Brandin Podziemski and Pat Spencer each scoring 17, and Seth Curry adding 14 in his first outing of the year. For a team missing its leader and relying heavily on depth pieces, this was one of their more spirited performances.
In the end, though, OKC’s identity held firm. Their defense continued to set the tone, their point differential stayed historically strong, and their confidence never wavered. The Thunder’s 13th straight win was earned, not handed — and it kept alive a start that’s already placing them alongside some of the greatest teams ever assembled.
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