By Harshit
SAN FRANCISCO, DECEMBER 3 —
The Oklahoma City Thunder arrived at Chase Center riding a wave few teams in NBA history ever reach — a 12-game winning streak, a 20-1 record, and the confidence of a group that has turned efficiency and depth into a nightly battering ram. On Tuesday night, that momentum confronted the depleted Golden State Warriors, a team missing superstar Stephen Curry and desperately searching for consistency after a shaky 11-10 start.
From the jump, the gap between the NBA’s best team and a battered contender was unmistakable. The Thunder’s pace, energy and balance overwhelmed Golden State early, and despite bursts of resistance, the defending champions looked poised to extend their run to 13 straight victories.
Thunder Seize Control Early
Oklahoma City wasted no time establishing control. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led a balanced early attack, with all five Thunder starters contributing in the opening minutes. Golden State briefly claimed a 6–5 edge, but OKC quickly recalibrated, ripping off a series of crisp offensive possessions and tightening defensively to take a 13–8 lead, later stretching it to 21–15.
Brandin Podziemski emerged as Golden State’s lone spark in the early minutes, scoring tough, creative baskets to keep the Warriors within striking distance. But the Thunder’s cohesion held firm, and they closed the first quarter leading 32–26.
Second Quarter: Thunder Gear Up, Warriors Hang On
Early in the second quarter, Oklahoma City shifted into another gear. Shai attacked downhill with clinical precision, supported by Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, who disrupted passing lanes and protected the rim.
The Thunder pushed their advantage to 48–37, then climbed past the 50-point mark, grabbing a 52–39 lead. Golden State appeared overwhelmed — especially without Curry’s gravity — and the pressure mounted with each Thunder stop.
By halftime, OKC held a commanding 63–44 lead, with Gilgeous-Alexander dropping 18 points and orchestrating the game like a conductor controlling tempo. The Warriors’ offense sputtered behind a mix of rushed shots and stalled possessions.
Third Quarter: The Gap Widens
Whatever halftime adjustments Golden State attempted, OKC stamped them out immediately. The Thunder scored the first points of the third, pushing the lead to 65–44, and Shai continued his nightly masterpiece with help from Mitchell, Williams, and Wallace.
Golden State missed Curry’s shooting and late-clock creation badly. Jimmy Butler, battling a gluteal contusion, looked uncomfortable, and while Podziemski and Buddy Hield scraped together offense, the deficit ballooned. At 72–60, the Warriors finally strung together a small push, but OKC’s composure on both ends kept them firmly in command.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: MVP Form on Display
Shai entered the night averaging 32.5 points, and once again he dictated the game’s pulse. His mid-range craft, foul-drawing mastery, and control over defensive rotations left Golden State scrambling. Without Luguentz Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein, OKC still imposed itself defensively, forcing the Warriors into contested looks and stifling their rhythm.
If the Thunder finish the night victorious, Shai’s fingerprints will be all over it, another elite performance fueling one of the most dominant stretches of basketball in recent memory.
Warriors Missing Curry, Feeling the Pressure
Without Stephen Curry — sidelined with a quadriceps injury — Golden State lacked its foundational identity. His absence warped spacing, reduced playmaking, and left Golden State heavily dependent on secondary scorers.
Seth Curry’s anticipated debut brought excitement, but the Warriors’ problems ran deeper than shooting. Their defensive breakdowns, turnover issues, and inability to contain OKC’s pace created a mountain too steep to climb.
Thunder Eye 13 Straight Wins
At 20–1, Oklahoma City is not just winning — they’re dominating. Against Portland, they weathered a sluggish start before imposing their will late. Against Golden State, the momentum picked up right where it left off.
If the Thunder close out this matchup as expected, they’ll extend the NBA’s best winning streak to 13 games, reminding the league just how wide the gap has become between them and most challengers.