Thunder dominate Warriors as Curry’s return falters, leaving Golden State in disarray
The Oklahoma City Thunder (11-1) solidified their status as a formidable force in the NBA with a resounding 126-102 victory over the Golden State Warriors (6-6) on Tuesday night. A decisive 23-5 run that bridged the first and second quarters effectively sealed the game, showcasing the Thunder’s prowess and exposing the Warriors’ struggles.
Curry’s Return Lacks Impact
Stephen Curry made his much-anticipated return after missing three games due to illness, but the night proved to be a challenging one for the superstar. In his 20 minutes on the court, Curry managed to score just 11 points on 13 attempts, hitting only four of those shots. His performance was marked by a conspicuous absence in key areas, contributing only one rebound and failing to record an assist. The back-breaking moment came late in the first quarter when he committed a flagrant foul on Isaiah Joe, further contributing to a minus-23 rating for the night.
Curry’s recent form has raised concerns, as he has shot under 50 percent in all six of his last games and has only surpassed four assists once during that stretch. Simply put, the Warriors are in desperate need of their superstar to reclaim his elite form.
Warriors’ Frontcourt Struggles
For Draymond Green, the struggles continued. The former Defensive Player of the Year has been plagued by turnovers, notching at least three in each of his five November appearances. In Tuesday’s contest, he scored just three points, alongside four assists and two rebounds, while also finishing with a dismal minus-21 plus-minus rating.
Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis found themselves overmatched, with Post scoring only six points on 2-of-6 shooting. However, the most glaring issue for Golden State was their defensive ineptitude. Chet Holmgren shone brightly for the Thunder, converting all nine of his field-goal attempts for 23 points. Isaiah Hartenstein added eight points and seven rebounds, and Jaylin Williams came off the bench to chip in nine points, all while the Warriors struggled to find answers on defense.
Moody’s Emergence Offers Glimmer of Hope
Amidst the chaos, Moses Moody’s performance stood out as a bright spot. The fifth-year guard showcased his defensive capabilities, effectively matching up against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and even delivering a stunning block on Alex Caruso during a fast break. Moody finished the game with ten points, narrowly missing a difficult three-pointer that was waved off for a shot-clock violation.
The case for Moody to earn a more prominent role in the starting lineup appears to strengthen, particularly as he has emerged as the team’s best perimeter defender. While the starting unit struggled, Moody’s contributions indicate that he should be utilized more frequently, especially against elite opposing players.
Kuminga’s Bounce-Back Performance
Jonathan Kuminga also displayed a resurgence in his play, doing enough to warrant continued inclusion in the rotation. His performance suggests that he should remain a vital part of the team’s strategy moving forward.
Ultimately, the focus for the Warriors is not merely on who occupies the starting positions. Instead, the emphasis must be on developing a cohesive unit capable of sustaining high-level basketball for the entirety of the game. As the season progresses, finding solutions to these inconsistencies will be paramount for Golden State if they hope to contend in a competitive Western Conference.
