The Golden State Warriors beat the Oklahoma City Thunder by a score of 141-139 in their first ever postseason tournament game, which took place during the regular season. In a spectacular offensive extravaganza, on the brightest blue basketball floor you’ve probably ever seen, the Dubs managed to remain unbeaten on the road. The Warriors have started the season off with a 5-1 record, good enough for second place in the Western Conference.

From the first tip on, the game was action-packed, with each team scoring at will. The Dubs’ offense was on fire, but the Thunder appeared invincible. Even when the Warriors were on their best defensive possessions, the dynamic young Thunder squad led by Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and the rest of the Thunder scored.

When Steve Kerr looked to his bench, like he has done many times this season, the team calmed down. Dario ari got on a roll, draining three 3-pointers in the quarter and completing it with 11 points to lead the squad, while Chris Paul served as an emotional ballast. After an exciting first quarter, the Warriors found themselves up 38-33. ari scored a total of 20 points today.

In the second period, OKC showed no signs of slowing down. The players from all across the court kept shooting and striking. The Dubs provided plenty of responses, but their own carelessness ultimately cost them. The Warriors weren’t only turning the ball over, but it felt like their turnovers were resulting in easy points for their opponents.

However, the 31 points scored in the second quarter were spearheaded by some superb ball movement and a little bit of Steph Curry’s brilliance. Golden State led by a score of 69-67 at halftime, despite a spectacular buzzer-beating three-point effort by Klay Thompson being overturned after video review.

   

Lu Dort swiftly crushed any expectations that the Thunder’s defense would improve in the second half. By the end of the third quarter, Dort had scored 16 points on a perfect 9-for-9 shooting performance from the field, including 6-for-6 from 3-point range. But once again, Golden State’s offense wasn’t going anywhere.

Halfway into the fourth quarter, the Warriors were down 127-125, giving plenty of time to see if either side could maintain their remarkable scoring tempo. The Warriors were able to keep pace with the Thunder despite the Thunder’s superior efficiency because to their knack at creating second chances.

The Warriors had a lot of second chances thanks to Andrew Wiggins’ increased aggression on the glass. The Dubs’ defense held strong enough for Thompson to tie the game with a three-pointer in the last minute of regulation. Thompson scored 18 points on just 10 field goal attempts.

There was a lack of scoring in the final minutes, but Williams won it for the Thunder with a bank jumper and a pair of free throws. In the last seconds, Curry drove for a basket to bring the Warriors within a point of the lead. Then, Gary Payton II forced a theft that was scooped up by Thompson. Right away, a foul was called on Thompson.

Thompson made the most of a situation that arose with 38.8 seconds left to put Golden State up, 137-136, after the Warriors had already qualified for the bonus.

After a brief timeout, the Thunder matched up Holmgren against Green. The former second overall choice drove inside and got a blocking foul with 32.5 seconds remaining. Oklahoma City is now up 138-137 thanks to Holmgren’s two field goal makes.

Green didn’t waste time by sitting in the car; he went inside right away. The Thunder’s defense was so geared around denying Curry a shot that it opened the door for GPII to score. Green swiftly passed the ball to Payton, who scored an easy layup off an alley-oop.

On the opposite end, Dort was fouled again, and he made only half of his free throw attempts. It was a tie game (139-139) and the Warriors possessed the ball with 16.4 seconds left.

Curry received an inbounds pass from the Warriors with eight seconds remaining. He sped past Dort with a crossover, but Holmgren crossed across to attempt and prevent the shot. Curry made a miracle layup that went in off the backboard and through Holmgren’s hands.

However, the whistle had blown because Green had been called for basket interference by the officials. It was determined that Green had touched the rim, but that Josh Giddey had touched the net earlier, therefore the basket stood and the Warriors won.

On 8-for-14 shooting from the field (5-for-10 from deep), Curry finished with 28 points, 8 boards, 7 assists, and 2 steals.