The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Golden State Warriors 131-94 on Friday, January 2, 2026. The Warriors were significantly short-handed, playing without Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green.The Thunder opened 2026 with a dominant performance at the Chase Center in San Francisco to improve their record to 30-5 for the season. Oklahoma City used a significant 19-0 run in the second quarter to break the game open after Golden State had pulled within two points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 30 points and 7 assists in just 28 minutes of play, while Chet Holmgren contributed 15 points and a season-best 15 rebounds. For the Warriors, Moses Moody, Al Horford, and Will Richard each scored a team-high 13 points.The Oklahoma City Thunder reinforced their status as an elite NBA force with a commanding and comprehensive 131-94 victory over a severely depleted Golden State Warriors team on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the Chase Center [1, 2]. The result was less a competitive basketball game and more a statement of intent from the league-leading Thunder, who improved their record to an impressive 30-5. A Tale of Two Rosters The narrative of the night was largely defined by who was on the court and who was not. Golden State was dealt a heavy blow before tip-off, with key players Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green all sidelined [1, 2]. This absence gutted the Warriors' lineup and left a substantial void in both offense and defense, one that the Thunder were only too happy to exploit. The Warriors, trotting out a starting five featuring veterans like Al Horford alongside younger talents like Moses Moody and Will Richard, simply lacked the firepower and cohesion necessary to match Oklahoma City’s relentless pace and efficiency [1]. The Decisive Run For a brief period in the second quarter, Golden State managed to claw their way back within two points, hinting at a potential fight. However, any hopes of a classic Warriors rally were quickly extinguished by a devastating 19-0 Thunder run [1, 2]. Oklahoma City's defense clamped down, forcing turnovers and missed shots, while their offense flowed with precision. The run effectively broke the game open, and the Thunder carried a commanding lead into halftime that only widened as the game progressed [1]. By the final whistle, the differential reached a staggering 37 points, highlighting the chasm between the two sides on the night [1].
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Warriors Vs OKC Thunder
Thunder Stars Shine Bright Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again demonstrated why he is a perennial MVP candidate, leading all scorers with 30 points [1]. In a testament to the game's one-sided nature, he achieved this impressive total in just 28 minutes of action, resting comfortably for the entire fourth quarter as his teammates closed out the win [1]. The young core of the Thunder continues to impress. Sophomore sensation Chet Holmgren was a dominant presence in the paint, recording a double-double with 15 points and a season-high 15 rebounds [1, 2]. His defensive versatility and inside scoring were too much for the short-handed Warriors frontcourt to handle. Glimmers of Hope for the Dubs For the Warriors, the night was a tough lesson in depth and resilience. Moses Moody, Al Horford, and Will Richard each put up 13 points to lead the team, but it was not nearly enough to challenge Oklahoma City [1, 2]. The team's immediate focus now shifts to getting healthy and preparing for the next challenge: a home game against the Utah Jazz on Saturday night [1]. Season Series Dominance This result marks the third meeting between the two teams this season, and the narrative has been consistent: Thunder dominance. Oklahoma City now holds an undisputed 3-0 lead in the season series, having won the previous encounters by margins of 24 and 12 points respectively [1]. The final meeting of the season between the two teams will be a crucial chance for the Warriors to salvage some pride. The Thunder, meanwhile, march on with confidence as they prepare for a visit to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday [1]. With a healthy roster and a cohesive game plan, they look every bit the championship contender.
GAMETIME HIGHLIGHTS
