Thunder Show Their Teeth in Statement Win Over Shorthanded Warriors
SAN FRANCISCO - The team with the most regular-season wins in NBA history just got a front-row seat to a squad that’s chasing that very record - and might just have the firepower to catch it.
The Oklahoma City Thunder rolled into Chase Center on Tuesday night with the swagger of defending champs and the record to back it up. At 20-1, they looked every bit the part of a team on a mission.
And after a 124-112 win over the Golden State Warriors, they left the Bay with their 21st win - and a message to the rest of the league: this isn’t just a title defense. It’s a pursuit of greatness.
Golden State, even without Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III, didn’t go quietly. The Warriors clawed back from a 22-point third-quarter hole, even briefly taking the lead in the final minutes.
But when it mattered most, OKC slammed the door with the kind of poise that separates contenders from champions. A ruthless 18-5 closing run over the final 4:40 sealed it.
No Steph, No Jimmy - Still a Fight
The Warriors were missing their two biggest stars, and it showed early. Curry was ruled out with a quad contusion, while Butler - who was a game-time decision with a gluteal contusion - gave it a go but exited at halftime with a sore left knee after 15 gritty minutes.
Still, Golden State didn’t fold. Coach Steve Kerr turned to an unconventional mix of lineups, and for a stretch, it worked.
Seth Curry, in his Warriors debut, poured in 14 points in just 14 minutes. Pat Spencer, a two-way player who’s been grinding for a shot, exploded for 15 points in 12 second-half minutes.
Their energy sparked a furious rally that had the sellout crowd of 18,064 on its feet.
The Warriors even took a late lead, but when OKC turned up the pressure, the difference in depth and execution became clear.
Thunder Close Like Champions
This is where the Thunder showed exactly why they’re 21-1. When the Warriors made their push, OKC didn’t flinch.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren went into surgical mode down the stretch. Over the final 4:40, the Thunder hit seven of eight shots - all inside the arc - while locking down defensively and squeezing the life out of Golden State’s offense.
“They’re 21-1 for a reason,” Kerr said postgame. “Shai is the MVP for a reason.
He goes 5-of-6 from three; the step-back at the top of the circle was a huge shot. And it’s one you kind of have to live with.
You don’t want him getting to the rim. And they made big shots.”
Kerr also pointed to key contributions from Isaiah Joe and Jalen Williams, who each knocked down critical buckets in crunch time.
Draymond on OKC: “They’re More Than Capable”
Draymond Green, never one to sugarcoat, didn’t mince words when asked about OKC’s ceiling. He’s been through the grind of a 73-win season - the Warriors’ historic 2015-16 campaign - and knows what it takes.
“It’s hard, man, but I do think they’re capable,” Green said. “You just need so many things to go right.
Like health - which they kind of plow right through, so it really don’t matter. You need a lot of breaks to go your way.”
Then came the line that said it all: “I think 73 wins took some years off my life. It’s hard. But like I said, they’re capable of a lot.”
That’s high praise from someone who lived the grind and knows the toll. And it speaks volumes about how much respect OKC has earned, not just for their talent, but for their approach.
What’s Next
The Warriors wrapped up their five-game homestand with a 2-3 record, sitting at an even 11-11 as they head out on a three-game East Coast swing. They’ll open in Philadelphia on Wednesday without Curry, who will remain in the Bay Area to rehab with director of sports medicine Rick Celebrini.
The hope is that Curry will be ready to return when the Warriors host the Timberwolves on Dec. 12.
Butler’s status remains day-to-day.
Golden State is still searching for consistency, especially with key pieces in and out of the lineup. But even in the loss, there were flashes - from Seth Curry’s instant offense to Spencer’s breakout performance - that suggest this team still has some fight left.
Meanwhile, the Thunder are heading home with a 21-1 record and the kind of momentum that makes history feel like more than just a dream. They’re not just defending their title - they’re chasing something bigger. And if they keep closing games like this, the rest of the league better be ready.