SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors spent three quarters scraping their way back into the game, and for a brief moment in the fourth, it looked like Chase Center might get a comeback worth replaying.
Then Shai Gilgeous-Alexander settled everything down.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 38 points and knocked down a late 3-pointer with 3:34 left, helping the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder hold off Golden State for a 124-112 win Tuesday night. The shot landed like a timeout the Warriors couldn’t call — a clean look, a quiet swish, and the momentum gone.
Oklahoma City had built a 21-point lead, only to watch it disappear as Golden State surged with its best stretch of offense all season. The Warriors exploded for 44 points in the third quarter, turning a lopsided night into a tense one and even briefly taking the lead in the fourth.
But the Thunder responded the way contenders usually do: with poise, stops, and just enough timely shot-making. Chet Holmgren hit a go-ahead 3 with 6:02 remaining, and Jalen Williams steadied the offense as Oklahoma City closed the final minutes with better execution and fewer wasted possessions.
Thunder vs Warriors: turning point
Golden State’s rally had the building loud and the Thunder wobbling — until Gilgeous-Alexander’s late 3 gave Oklahoma City breathing room. From there, the Thunder controlled the finish, trading smart possessions for the Warriors’ rushed ones.
Key stats and top scorers
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 38 points
- Chet Holmgren: 21 points, 8 rebounds
- Jalen Williams: 22 points, 6 assists
Golden State Warriors
Golden State fought through a short-handed night. Stephen Curry did not play because of a bruised left quadriceps, and Jimmy Butler was ruled out after halftime with right knee soreness after scoring six points in 15 minutes.
- Brandin Podziemski: 17 points
- Seth Curry: 14 points in his Warriors debut
For the Warriors, the most important part may not be the final score. The response was real: a strong third quarter, energy from role players, and a defensive edge that forced Oklahoma City to earn the win late.
For the Thunder, it looked like a champion’s road script — build a cushion, absorb a punch, and rely on your star when the game tightens. Gilgeous-Alexander did the rest.
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