The Thunder came into this game against the Golden State Warriors following a last-second loss to the Indiana Pacers. This was a huge statement game for both teams either way as the standings were too close for comfort fighting for 1st place. From the start of the game, it seemed like the Thunder just couldn’t get anything to go down on the offensive end. Golden State in Golden State fashion was able to knock down 3 pointers and use their quick style of play to try and outplay the Thunder. One thing that the Thunder didn’t have working for them in this game was the calls. It seemed as though throughout the game the Thunder were getting fouled but the calls just didn’t go their way. It was a tough game to watch for any Thunder fan and it was also tough to see Westbrook and George finally have an off night. Every NBA star in their career has one of those nights from the field and then try to bounce back the next game.
Tonight that game belonged to Russell Westbrook who went 2-15 from the field and finished with 7 points on the night. Oklahoma City was already having trouble from the field as a unit but as the leader, Westbrook’s shooting will stand out. Westbrook still managed to have 9 assists on the night and get his teammates involved. A lot of the credit will go to Klay Thompson for defending Westbrook and making it tough for him on the offensive end but Russ was still able to get to his spots they just didn’t fall tonight. One thing about Westbrook is the fact that he will use this game and his shooting performance to bounce back for an epic night. The problem is that it might not be Monday night. Westbrook received his 16th technical foul tonight and if it’s not rescinded he will face a one-game suspension. Westbrook’s teammate Paul George had a rough night as well tonight and will have to carry the load on Monday if Westbrook’s suspended. Paul George finished the game against the Warriors with 29 points on the night and tried to get it going offensively but it was just too late. Paul George was able to do whatever he wanted offensively but wasn’t getting a lot of the calls that he normally would get. PG-13 will look to bounce back against Miami and try to make up for his 9-25 shooting performance tonight against the Warriors. It’s clear to see that Paul George has played at an extremely high level and he’s one of the best two-way players in the game and will continue to prove that time and time again on the court.
The Warriors were able to play at a high level without Kevin Durant in the lineup. This was the Thunders first look at the Warriors with Demarcus Cousins as well and he was able to make an impact all over the stat sheet. One thing about Cousins was the impact he made getting Steven Adams away from the paint. Cousins finished with 12 points, 6 assists, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks on the night. Once the Warriors gel together as a whole with all their talent this team can be scary. Stephen Curry was able to flourish within his game tonight as he finished with 33 points. The Thunder were having some trouble trying to find Curry on the screens that the players were setting. Curry was hitting shots all over the field and he was able to make the Thunder pay off the dribble as well. The player of the night for the Golden State Warriors was definitely Klay Thompson as he was able to defend all night at a high level and made it tough on Russell Westbrook. Klay finished with 23 points on the night and was making some unbelievable shots that looked impossible to make look easy. Overall the Warriors came in ready to take it to the Thunder and OKC was caught off guard and had a bad shooting night on one of the worst night for it to happen.
The Thunder will be back in action against the Miami Heat on Monday and will look to bounce back from this loss tonight.
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