© Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Golden State’s Tuesday night matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder highlighted two teams on different trajectories. The Warriors have the Western Conference’s No. 2 seed locked up, while the fifth-place Thunder entered the game trying to solidify their playoff standing.
Chesapeake Energy Arena buzzed and then booed when the Warriors were announced. The ensuing 48 minutes featured a tightly contested game in a playoff-like atmosphere.
Golden State and Oklahoma City exchanged leads throughout the contest, but the Warriors ultimately prevailed, 111-107.
This matchup has become one of the league’s most contentious during the past two years, stemming from Kevin Durant’s decision to leave Oklahoma City and join Golden State prior to the 2017 season. Much of the bad blood has subsided this season, however.
“This year, it changed,” said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr after Tuesday shootaround. “Last year, it felt strange every game. Like, ‘This is a weird vibe in here.’ Even in our place, there was this extra energy. And now that we’re a year removed from it, it seems like everybody is more settled, fans and players.”
But Tuesday night provided plenty of intensity, as the Warriors continue to try jelling with a shorthanded roster and the Thunder compete for their playoff lives.
Durant started the game in attack mode. He scored 15 of the Warriors’ 24 first quarter points, and they trailed by three entering the second quarter. Golden State found an offensive rhythm and clamped down defensively in the second period, holding the Thunder to 32.4 percent shooting from the field in the first half.
Golden State led 57-47 at halftime.
The Warriors came out and extended their lead to 67-56 with about eight minutes left in the third quarter. The Thunder responded with an 8-0 run to cut the lead to three. With fewer than two minutes remaining in the third quarter, Thunder guard Russell Westbrook made a three-pointer to give Oklahoma City its first lead since the score was 28-26 early in the second quarter.
Both teams went cold in the fourth quarter until the final four minutes came. Quinn Cook made a floater, and Thunder forward Paul George’s turnover led to two Durant free throws, extending Golden State’s lead to six.
The Thunder continued to keep it close in the waning minutes, but Golden State made enough free throws to seal the victory and even up the season series at two apiece.
The Warriors played without two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry for the fifth straight game, and 11th of the past 12. Durant paced the Golden State attack with 34 points and 10 rebounds.
Klay Thompson is back to his typical sharpshooting ways after sitting for more than two weeks with a thumb injury. Tuesday night was Thompson’s third game back, and his third straight-20-plus point game. He finished with 20 points.
The rest of Golden State’s scoring was evenly dispersed. Draymond Green produced five points, eight assists, and four rebounds. Golden State’s shortened bench contributed 38 points. Quinn Cook, starting in place of Curry, continued to play very well. He finished with 12 points (4-6 shooting) and six assists.
The Warriors have five games remaining left on the regular season schedule. They will play at Indiana on Thursday before playing their final home game of the season on Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans.