Bold claim: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stole the show with a 38-point gem to lead the Thunder past the Warriors 124-112, proving why defending champs aren’t to be underestimated. And this is the part most people miss: the Thunder didn’t just rely on one star—they leaned on timely plays from multiple contributors to withstand Golden State’s push.
In a tightly contested showdown from San Francisco, Gilgeous-Alexander delivered when it mattered most, adding a crucial 3-pointer with 3:34 remaining that helped cement Oklahoma City’s edge. Jalen Williams joined in with 22 points and six assists, showcasing the Thunder’s balanced attack.
Chet Holmgren supplied a decisive moment, drilling a go-ahead 3 from the top with 6:02 left and finishing with 21 points and eight rebounds, reinforcing his role as a pivotal piece in the defending title run.
For Golden State, Brandin Podziemski carved out 17 points, and Seth Curry contributed 14 in his return-to-Warriors stint, filling in for his brother Stephen Curry, who remained sidelined due to a bruised left quadriceps and lingering muscle strain from the previous week. The night also featured notable sequences from Pat Spencer, whose late third-quarter putback and subsequent three-pointer sparked a one-point game, and a buzzer-beating 3 by Podziemski that trimmed the deficit to 91-88 entering the fourth.
Golden State’s lineup dealt with more downtime as Jimmy Butler sat out the second half because of a sore left knee, after a dramatic sequence earlier in the game where he battled through a bruised left glute and a questionable status entering the matchup.
The halftime scoreboard told the story: Oklahoma City surged to a 63-44 lead behind Gilgeous-Alexander’s prolific scoring, including a nine-point flurry in the final 1:16 of the second quarter. The Thunder (21-1) extended their advantage in the third, tightening the margin as the Warriors battled to stay within reach at home.
Other contributions included Gary Payton II with 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists, while Draymond Green and Buddy Hield added 13 points apiece for Golden State.
Upcoming schedules:
- Thunder visit Dallas on Friday night for a test of their continued momentum.
- Warriors embark on a three-game road trip, starting Thursday at Philadelphia.
Source: AP NBA recap, December 3, 2025.
