Two Career-High Nights Lead Thunder Over Warriors

The Oklahoma City Thunder faced off against the Golden State Warriors for the third time of the season in hopes to pick up their first win of the season series. The Thunder were without Jalen Williams and the Warriors were without Andrew Wiggins, so both teams had key absences.

The Thunder surged past the Warriors early in the game, and even with the Warriors storming back multiple times, the Thunder were able to string together timely runs to help them maintain their advantage. They eventually won 137-128.

In the last two games played from these teams, the Warriors got off to big, quick starts that usually resulted in a barrage of 3-pointers and plenty of points on the board. This time, the Thunder did so. They knocked down 8-of-15 3-point attempts in the first quarter, with six different players knocking down at least one three. Beyond that, all eight players that touched the floor for Oklahoma City got on the board for the Thunder.

The Thunder built a 40-30 lead in the first frame. They started the game off 13-2 and ended the quarter on a big run as well while staying composed after the Warriors swung back with a run in between.

The second quarter would sing the same tune, but the Warriors wouldn’t go away. The Warriors outscored the Thunder 34-28 in the second quarter. At the half, the Thunder led 68-64. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 15 points, and Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 17 points.

The Thunder played nine different players, and each one of them not only scored, but knocked down a 3-pointer in the first half. In doing so, Josh Giddey racked up ten first-half assists.

The third quarter was big for both teams. The Thunder scored 37 points in the quarter, but was only able to build their lead by two more points. Gilgeous-Alexander had a big quarter, getting his total points to 28 through three frames, while Stephen Curry was at 29 points.

During the fourth quarter, Giddey pulled together his triple-double. After dishing 17 assists and scoring in double-figures, he pulled down his tenth board. The Thunder rolled with this momentum to expand on their lead. They had well over a double-digit lead in what would have been clutch time.

However, in true Warriors fashion, they rattled off points quickly. They got the game down to six points with 1:20 to go in the game and the Thunder called a timeout.

The game stayed close, but the Thunder outlasted the Warriors in the clutch to come away with the win.

In Giddey's career-high night, he had a big triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 11 assists.

Jaylin Williams also had a career-high night, but his was in points. He scored 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting and 3-of-5 on 3-pointers.

Of course, Gilgeous-Alexander did his thing against the Warriors. He finished with 33 points on 14-of-23 shooting.

As a team, the Thunder shot 17-of-37 on 3-pointers, which is good for 45.9 percent. Their offense helped them past the defending champs.

Amidst the Thunder win, they spoiled a big night from the Warriors duo of Curry and Thompson. They combined for 63 points, with 40 coming from Curry.

With the win, the Thunder's record is now 31-34 as they continue and look for a way back into the Play-In race.

The Thunder take on the Suns on March 8th on the back end of a back-to-back. Neither Gilgeous-Alexander or Jalen Williams will make the trip with the team for injury management.

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