Thunder Beat Warriors 104-97 Behind SGA's Leadership

Thunder Hold Strong Against Warriors

The defending champion Thunder protected their home court Saturday night. Oklahoma City defeated Golden State 104-97 in a battle that came down to the final minutes. The Thunder improved to 50-15 and stayed on top of the Western Conference. The Warriors dropped to 32-31 and continued their tough stretch.

Thunder Build Early Lead

Oklahoma City came out firing in the first quarter. The Thunder raced to a 34-28 advantage. Their defense pressured the Warriors on every possession. By halftime, OKC had stretched the lead to 67-54. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ran the offense like a maestro conducting an orchestra. His passes found open teammates in perfect rhythm.

Warriors Battle Back

Golden State refused to quit in the third quarter. They clawed back into the game, cutting the deficit to just three points. The Warriors trailed 86-83 heading into the final period. Gui Santos played with fire and determination. He attacked the basket and grabbed rebounds with both hands.

Fourth Quarter Decides It

The Thunder turned to their superstar when it mattered most. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 27 points and five assists. He glided past defenders like a skater on ice. Isaiah Joe added 18 points with deadly shooting from outside. Cason Wallace played lockdown defense with four steals. Jaylin Williams dominated the glass with 14 rebounds.

For Golden State, Santos led the way with 22 points and 11 rebounds. He battled every second on the court. Brandin Podziemski scored 17 points in 39 minutes of action. Draymond Green added 16 points and showed his championship experience.

The Warriors played without star guard Stephen Curry, who remains out with a right knee injury. His absence left a huge hole in the lineup.

Looking Ahead

The Thunder continue their title defense with confidence. The Warriors must find answers quickly as the playoff race heats up.