Fifty-two from Shai not enough, Warriors beat Thunder

SAN FRANCISCO: Fifty-two points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t enough to outdo Golden State. In a shocking upset, the Warriors beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-109 in their Wednesday night clash.

The game began like many had expected, with the Thunder in complete control. Shai was his dominant self, scoring 21 points in the first quarter, to propel Oklahoma to a 34-20 lead by the end of the frame.

Golden State showed some signs of life in the second quarter, courtesy of Andrew Wiggins and Dennis Schroder, who combined for 15 of the Warriors’ 28 points in the frame. However, Shai’s 21 points kept the Thunder ten points ahead by half time, 58-48.  

The third quarter saw the Warriors tie things up 84-84. Stephen Curry finally came alive, scoring eight points including two threes. Shai had another 12 points in the quarter, bringing his total to 43. However, a lack of support from the Thunder’s supporting cast allowed the Warriors to take the lead in the fourth.

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Curry began the final frame of the game with a three pointer from the top of the key, giving the Warriors the lead. The chef knocked another down from well beyond the arc a minute and a half later. The combined efforts of Brandon Podziemski, Wiggins, and Schroder helped to give the Warriors a defensible lead. But, after a three pointer and a driving layup from Jalen Williams, the Thunder were back within three.

With a little under two minutes left, Curry extended the lead once again, hitting his final, and deepest, three of the game, to put Golden State up by six. Wiggins and Gary Payton II finished things up, scoring seven more points, while the Thunder only managed six.

The Warriors beat the Thunder 116-109. Golden State now has a record of 24 wins and 23 losses, placing them at 11th in the Western Conference. Despite the loss, the Thunder are still well first in the conference, with 37 wins and nine losses in the season so far.

Curry ended the game 21 points, while Wiggins was the highest scorer for the Warriors with 27. Kevin Looney also contributed a much appreciated 18. Shai was the standout of the game, scoring 52 points. Williams was the next highest scorer for the Thunder, as he made 26 points.

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