OKLAHOMA CITY In the teams’ first-ever In-Season Tournament match on Friday night, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 141-139 thanks to 30 points from Stephen Curry, which included the game-winning layup with just seconds remaining.
It was initially called a no-basket due to offensive goaltending. The call was reversed, and the Warriors won by a single point for the second time in a row. Less than a second remained on Wednesday for Klay Thompson to secure a victory over Sacramento.
Golden State increased to 5-1 behind 20 points from Dario Saric and 13 assists from Chris Paul.
For the Thunder, Josh Giddey scored 14 of 18 points in the fourth quarter, Lu Dort scored 29, and Chet Holmgren scored 24. Oklahoma City’s top scorer of the year, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, missed games due to a sprained left knee.
Golden State led 38-33 after making seven 3-pointers in the first quarter. As a substitute, Saric scored 11 points during that time.
The Warriors took a 50-44 lead after Curry hit Gary Payton II with a no-look pass from beyond the 3-point line. Golden State led 69-67 at the half after making six more 3-pointers in the second quarter. After a review, the decision to call Thompson’s slanting 3-pointer at the buzzer as no good on the floor stood.
At the beginning of the third quarter, Dort scored 11 points in less than four minutes, giving the Thunder an 85-80 advantage. By the end of the third quarter, the score was tied at 106 thanks to a comeback by the Warriors.
With 9:15 remaining, Isaiah Joe of Oklahoma City made a 3-pointer and was fouled. The Thunder now led 118-115 after he made the free throw, and the remainder of the game was close.