SAN FRANCISCO – Warriors coach Steve Kerr tried just about everything. Pat Spencer-centric high screen and rolls. Post ups with Quinten Post. A pressing defensive scheme that looked to feature Will Richard.
But in front of a national television audience that expected to see the Warriors’ aging cast of legends face the defending champion Thunder at Chase Center on Friday, the viewing public saw a skeleton crew Golden State squad — for all of their creativity — fall 131-94.
Brandin Podziemski scored 12 points and had four assists, while Richard and Al Horford each scored 13. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paced the Thunder with 30 points in just 28 minutes, while Chet Holmgren put up 15 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks as the Thunder improved to 3-0 against the Warriors and 30-5 on the season.
Coming off two consecutive road wins, the Warriors’ thee Hall of Famers – Steph Curry (ankle), Jimmy Butler (illness), Draymond Green (rest) – were ruled out before tipoff.
On top of that, combo guard De’Anthony Melton had the night off as the team remained cautious with his workload as the guard worked his way back from a torn ACL.
And Jonathan Kuminga, who has been benched for weeks as his trade date of Jan. 15 approaches but was in line to receive big minutes, was scratched with a lower back injury.
Thus, the Warriors resorted to a ragtag starting five of Podziemski, Will Richard, Moody, Gui Santos and Quinten Post.
Spurred by some inspired defense, the Warriors were able to hang around and even cut the Thunder lead to just 38-36 when Richard canned a 3-pointer with 7:19 left in the second quarter.
The Thunder responded with a 19-0 run to take command of the game, and the visitors cruised from there, leading by as many as 41 in the fourth quarter that was played exclusively between deep reserves. The Thunder, though no longer on pace to win a record-breaking 74 games in the regular season, have now won four in a row.
The Warriors (18-17) will take on the Jazz on Saturday.
Horford rare bright spot
There was not much to be excited about on Friday, but Al Horford’s strong run of play continued. Since returning from an seven-game absence caused by sciatica, the 39-year-old has averaged nine points per game (14, 7, 8, 10) in four contests.
In 13 minutes off the bench, Horford scored 10 points, grabbed five rebounds and blocked couple shots. Horford will not play against the Jazz, as he does not play back-to-backs.
Animated at officials
Oklahoma City’s proclivity to play physical defense without being called for fouls, and its star’s habit of finding a way of creatively drawing fouls, has become a source of frustration for many teams this season.
Add the Warriors to the list of franchises who had an issue with officiating during Thunder games. Al Horford, often mild-mannered, became highly-animated after being called for a foul on Gilgeous-Alexander midway through the first quarter.
A few minutes later, with 10 seconds remaining in the first period, Pat Spencer was called for a technical foul when he was running downcourt on defense.
