OKLAHOMA CITY – Steph Curry looked incredulously at the officials late in the first quarter of Oklahoma City’s 126-102 victory over the Warriors at Paycom Center on Tuesday.
After a replay review and 1,189 games, the Warriors superstar was whistled for the first flagrant foul of his illustrious career after his closeout on Isaiah Joe saw him invade the shooter’s airspace.
It was that kind of night for the visiting Warriors, who were also called for a delay of game technical foul to start the second half.
They were overwhelmed by the defending champion Thunder, that despite missing Santa Clara alum and All-Star Jalen Williams along with Aaron Wiggins and Lu Dort, smothered the Warriors. In other words, the Thunder did to Golden State, what the Warriors once did to other teams.
“We haven’t played well since the second week of the season,” Kerr said. “I’ve got to do a better job, and find the keys that can get us some confidence back.”
The Warriors started quickly thanks to seven early points from Curry, who was returning from an illness after missing the past three games. But they trailed 34-25 after one quarter, and 63-44 at halftime. The Warriors finished with 21 turnovers.
Jonathan Kuminga put in 13 points but had five turnovers, while Jimmy Butler scored 12. Curry shot just 4 of 13 and scored 11. Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points and had 12 assists, five rebounds, three steals and a blocked shot through three quarters, and Chet Holmgren scored 23 and made all nine of his shots.
It was certainly not the best way to start a six-game road trip, but Golden State (6-6) will not have much time to rue the loss. The team travels to San Antonio to play Victor Wembanyama and the ascendant Spurs on Wednesday for the second game of the six-game road trip.
Championship similarities
The victorious Thunder are in a position the Warriors are quite familiar with: trying to repeat as champions. Much like the Warriors’ dynasty of the last decade, the Thunder are built around a singular superstar and a supporting cast of All-Stars.
Kerr saw the Thunder, much like his Curry-Thompson-Green-Durant Warriors, as a team that will contend for multiple titles thanks to continuity at all levels of the organization.
“They clearly have that great and stable infrastructure from coaching, management, ownership and all of that,” Kerr said. “Because they have great players and talent and are connected, they’re going to be doing this for a long time.”
The 2017-18 Warriors remain the NBA’s last back-to-back champions.
Draymond’s status
Green played 22 minutes against Oklahoma City, but his status for Wednesday’s game in San Antonio is very much in doubt.
During his pregame press conference, Kerr said the 35-year-old is “banged up” and that sitting Al Horford on Tuesday was intentionally done to give the team the option of resting Green the next day.
“We’re trying to manage these guys, so we’ll give Al the night off and then he’ll play tomorrow, and we’ll see how Draymond gets through tonight’s game and make a decision,” Kerr said.