Introduction: OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors match player stats
On January 30, 2025, the Golden State Warriors hosted the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Chase Center in San Francisco. This highly anticipated matchup featured the Western Conference-leading Thunder against the seasoned and battle-tested Warriors, who were looking to defend their home court. The game ended with an intense 116-109 victory for the Warriors, showcasing stellar performances from key players on both sides.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a career-high 52 points, putting on a scoring masterclass for the Thunder, but Golden State responded with a balanced offensive attack led by Andrew Wiggins, Stephen Curry, and Kevon Looney. The game saw multiple momentum shifts, with Oklahoma City dominating early before the Warriors mounted an impressive comeback in the second half. Ultimately, Golden State’s experience and defensive adjustments in the final quarter proved decisive as they secured the win in front of a roaring home crowd.
Table of Contents
Game Overview
The Oklahoma City Thunder came into this game with a strong record and plenty of confidence, having won their last three games at the Chase Center dating back to April 4, 2023. They were determined to continue their dominance over the Warriors on their home turf. However, Golden State, despite their struggles this season, was ready to put up a fight.
The game started with the Thunder establishing their presence early, led by an explosive performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was virtually unstoppable in the first quarter. The Warriors, meanwhile, struggled to find their offensive rhythm early on, with Stephen Curry missing his first five shots before finally getting on the board in the second quarter. Despite their slow start, Golden State stayed resilient, slowly chipping away at the Thunder’s lead.
The game truly turned in the third quarter when the Warriors caught fire, outscoring Oklahoma City and taking control heading into the final period. The fourth quarter was a tightly contested battle, but Golden State made clutch plays down the stretch, with Gary Payton II’s emphatic dunk in the final minute serving as the dagger that sealed the victory.
First Quarter: Thunder’s Dominance
The game tipped off with the Thunder coming out aggressive, setting the pace right from the start. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasted no time, scoring 17 points in the first eight minutes of the game and finishing the opening quarter with a staggering 21 points. His ability to get to the rim, draw fouls, and knock down mid-range jumpers made him virtually unguardable in the early stages of the game.
Oklahoma City’s defense was also locked in, forcing tough shots and keeping Golden State’s shooters in check. The Warriors struggled offensively, managing only 20 points in the first quarter, compared to Oklahoma City’s 34 points, giving the visitors an early 14-point lead. It was a dream start for the Thunder, who looked poised to continue their winning streak at Chase Center.
Second Quarter: Warriors Fight Back
Golden State needed to respond, and they did so with a much-improved performance in the second quarter. The Warriors tightened up their defense and found some rhythm on offense, led by Andrew Wiggins and Stephen Curry. Wiggins hit a couple of key shots to get the team going, while Curry, who had started cold, finally connected on a much-needed basket at the 10:46 mark of the second quarter.
The Warriors outscored the Thunder 28-24 in the period, cutting into the deficit. However, Gilgeous-Alexander continued his offensive onslaught, getting to the free-throw line and keeping Oklahoma City in control. The Thunder still held a 58-48 lead at halftime, but the Warriors had started to show signs of life.
Third Quarter: Warriors Take Control
The Warriors came out of halftime with a different level of energy and intensity. Their defense became more aggressive, and they began hitting their shots at a much higher rate. Andrew Wiggins played a pivotal role in the comeback, hitting big three-pointers and stepping up defensively against Oklahoma City’s scorers.
Meanwhile, Kevon Looney had one of his best games of the season, scoring 18 points despite suffering a right nasal fracture during the game. Golden State completely flipped the script in the third quarter, outscoring the Thunder 36-26 to erase the deficit and even take a slight lead heading into the final 12 minutes. It was a statement quarter for the Warriors, proving that they were not going down without a fight.
Fourth Quarter: Warriors Close It Out
The final quarter was a thrilling back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading big shots and defensive stops. Gilgeous-Alexander continued his scoring rampage, getting to the rim at will and keeping Oklahoma City within striking distance. However, Golden State’s balanced attack proved to be the difference. Gary Payton II provided a huge spark off the bench, scoring 15 points and grabbing 9 rebounds, including a momentum-shifting dunk in the final minute that all but sealed the victory.
Stephen Curry, despite an off night shooting, still contributed 21 points and hit a crucial three-pointer late in the game, moving past Ray Allen for 27th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 24,505 career points. With clutch free throws down the stretch, the Warriors secured the 116-109 win, capping off an impressive comeback effort.
Key Player Performances
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG): Put on a spectacular performance with 52 points, shooting 16-for-29 from the field and 18-for-21 from the free-throw line. He also added 3 rebounds and 4 assists in what was arguably one of the best individual performances of his career.
- Jalen Williams (PF): Scored 26 points on 12-for-26 shooting, along with 7 rebounds, providing solid support for Gilgeous-Alexander.
- Isaiah Hartenstein (C): Was a force on the boards, collecting 18 rebounds while also dishing out 6 assists and playing tough interior defense.
Golden State Warriors
- Andrew Wiggins (SF): Led the Warriors with 27 points, shooting 5-for-8 from three-point range, and also grabbed 4 rebounds in a stellar all-around performance.
- Stephen Curry (PG): Finished with 21 points, surpassing Ray Allen on the all-time scoring list. Despite struggling early, his leadership and timely shots were crucial in the win.
- Kevon Looney (PF): Had one of his best games of the season, scoring 18 points while dealing with a facial injury, providing toughness in the paint.
- Gary Payton II (SG): Brought energy off the bench with 15 points, 9 rebounds, and a game-changing dunk in the final minute.
Team Statistics
- Field Goal Percentage: Thunder 40.4% (40-for-99); Warriors 45.5% (40-for-88).
- Three-Point Percentage: Thunder 23.1% (9-for-39); Warriors 35.3% (12-for-34).
- Free Throws: Thunder 80% (20-for-25); Warriors 82.8% (24-for-29).
- Rebounds: Thunder 48; Warriors 51.
Conclusion
The Golden State Warriors’ 116-109 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder was a testament to their resilience and experience. Despite an early 34-20 first-quarter deficit, they rallied back with a strong second-half performance, led by Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney, and Stephen Curry. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 52-point explosion was a historic effort, but Oklahoma City lacked the supporting firepower to close out the game. With this win, the Warriors showed they are still a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference, while the Thunder will look to regroup and continue their impressive season.
