The Oklahoma City Thunder pulled off a stunning upset over the Golden State Warriors in a 130-123 overtime victory on Thursday night. The Thunder were led by rookie sensation Chet Holmgren and star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who combined for 76 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Holmgren shines in career-high performance
Holmgren, the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NBA draft, had a breakout game against the Warriors, scoring a career-high 38 points on 14-of-19 shooting, including 6-of-8 from beyond the arc. He also grabbed eight rebounds, blocked four shots, and dished out three assists.
The 7-foot-1 power forward showed off his versatility and skill, hitting shots from all over the floor, driving to the basket, and defending multiple positions. He also displayed his clutch gene, hitting a game-tying 3-pointer with 1.6 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.
Holmgren said he was confident in his shot and credited his teammates for finding him open.
“I just tried to stay ready and take the shots that were given to me,” Holmgren said. “My teammates did a great job of setting me up and trusting me. I’m glad I was able to knock them down.”
SGA carries Thunder with an all-around game
Gilgeous-Alexander, who missed the previous two games with a sore ankle, returned to the lineup and delivered a masterful performance. He scored 38 points on 13-of-23 shooting, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range. He also added eight rebounds, eight assists, and two steals.
The 24-year-old guard was aggressive and efficient, attacking the rim, drawing fouls, and making plays for his teammates. He also hit some big shots in crunch time, including a go-ahead layup with 1:03 left in overtime.
Gilgeous-Alexander said he was happy to be back on the court and help his team win.
“It felt great to be out there with my guys and compete,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We played hard and we played together. We showed a lot of resilience and toughness. It was a great team win.”
Warriors fall short despite Curry’s heroics
The Warriors, who entered the game with the best record in the NBA at 12-2, suffered their third loss of the season despite a brilliant performance from Stephen Curry. The two-time MVP scored 45 points on 15-of-28 shooting, including 9-of-16 from 3-point range. He also had seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
Curry was unstoppable in the fourth quarter and overtime, scoring 23 of his 45 points in the final 17 minutes. He hit some incredible shots, including a scoop layup over Holmgren with 0.2 seconds left in overtime that was initially ruled as the game-winner. However, after a lengthy review, the officials determined that Draymond Green touched the rim while the ball was still on it, which nullified the basket.
Curry said he was disappointed with the outcome, but praised the Thunder for their effort.
“They played a great game. They made a lot of tough shots and they never gave up,” Curry said. “We had some chances to close it out, but we couldn’t get it done. It’s a tough loss, but we’ll learn from it and move on.”
Thunder extend winning streak to four games
The Thunder improved to 7-4 on the season, extending their winning streak to four games. They also snapped a 10-game losing streak to the Warriors, dating back to 2018. The Thunder are currently fourth in the Western Conference standings, surprising many experts who predicted them to be one of the worst teams in the league.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said he was proud of his team’s performance and growth.
“It was a great game to be in for our team. It was a classic game where every possession mattered, obviously right up to the end of the game,” Daigneault said. “There’s no place we’d rather be, and there’s no team we’d rather be playing than a team that’s as battle-tested as they are.”
The Thunder will look to continue their momentum when they host the Houston Rockets on Saturday. The Warriors will try to bounce back when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.
