Golden State wins 3rd straight game, splashes OKC, 128-120
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT PhilBoxing.com Tue, 31 Jan 2023
The Warriors are on a roll, moving up to fifth place in the bunched up and wild, wild Western Conference at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Monday night.
Steph was vintage Curry as he splashed 38 points (8-of-14 treys), 12 assists and 8 rebounds, lifting the Warriors past the Thunder, 128-120.
Not to be outdone, the other Splash Brother and unabashed Manny Pacquiao fan, Klay Thompson poured in another 28 points, hitting 6 treys for Golden State punctuated by a very late driving, twin-fisted dunk.
The Warriors came out blazing, outscoring OKC 38-20 in the first quarter and led 63-48 by halftime. The Thunder roared back with 37 points to the Warriors’ 31 with Mike Muscala draining a long trey to end the third quarter, chopping Golden State’s lead to nine points, 94-85.
In the fourth quarter, the Thunder went on a 13 to 6 run, featuring a step-back 3-pointer by Jalen Williams, and whittled Golden State’s 21-point lead to 2 before Chef Curry drained another trey with 2:35 left, enlarging the Warriors’ lead to 115-107.
The Thunder got to within 2 points again, but Golden State finally ended it 128-120.
As a team, the Warriors made 46-of-90 shots (51.2% FG), sank 20-of-47 treys (42.6% 3-pointer), dished more assists (37 to 23), and led by as much as 21 points.
Andrew Wiggins returned to the Warriors starting line-up after missing 2 games with a non-Covid-19-related illness. He made 7-of-13 shots for 15 points.
Jordan Poole had 15, Kevin Looney and Donte DiVincenzo 8 points each. Anthony Lamb chipped in 5 and Jonathan Kuminga 4 points.
Of historical significance, Curry passed Wilt Chamberlain for most field goals in Warriors franchise history. Curry entered Monday’s game with 7,210 field goals for Golden State, second behind Chamberlain’s 7,216. According to ESPN’s Marc J. Spears, Curry now has 7,222 shots made.
By contrast, the Thunder fought hard, making 46-of-93 shots (49.5% FG), sinking 11-of-24 treys (45.8% 3-PT), made more fast break points (17 to 14), and controlled the paint (54 to 46 points), and briefly led by a point, in a losing effort.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted 21 of his 31 points in the second half, leading the Thunder with 31 total points followed by Josh Giddey with 21, Jalen Williams 19. Off the bench, Jay Williams added 12, Mike Muscala 8, and I. Joe 10 points for OKC.
Coach Steve Kerr opted to play small ball with more ball movement as the Warriors have done the past few games, and the scheme worked.
Said Coach Kerr on NBA.com: “This was really a key game for us on the trip…To start out with a win puts us in a good position to get some rest tomorrow, prepare for Minnesota, go attack that game and see what happens. So, we needed this one tonight, and guys did a great job of winning and getting it. Now, we’ve got to get greedy and go get the next one.”
Upcoming:
Golden State Warriors (26-24): Visit the Minnesota Timberwolves (27-26) on Wednesday.
OKC Thunder (24-26): Visit the Houston Rockets (12-38) on Wednesday.
Note of Appreciation:
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