Golden State Warriors survive Thunder scare in crucial comeback win

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: Jordan Poole #3 and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors bump chests during their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half at Chase Center on April 04, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: Jordan Poole #3 and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors bump chests during their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half at Chase Center on April 04, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Despite never leading until early in the fourth-quarter, the Golden State Warriors have recorded a crucial comeback win against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chase Center on Tuesday night.

The defending champions trailed by 10 at half-time, and four heading to the final period, before an electric 18-point quarter from Jordan Poole saw them surge past the Thunder to record an 11-point win.

34 points from Stephen Curry and 30 from Jordan Poole has seen the Golden State Warriors escape with a 136-125 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

After Klay Thompson was a late scratching with lower back soreness, Steve Kerr went to an unconventional lineup to start the most important game of the season. Usual bench pieces in Poole, Anthony Lamb and Jonathan Kuminga opened alongside Curry and Draymond Green, pushing Donte DiVincenzo and Kevon Looney back to the bench.

The risk failed to reap reward, with a scorching Thunder offense helping them to an early advantage. The Warriors eventually got going themselves but couldn’t prevent OKC from pouring in 39 points across the first 12 minutes.

It was much the same during the second as the Thunder tallied another 40 to post 79 for the half on 59.6% shooting from the field including 57.1% from three-point range. Curry helped Golden State remain within 10, recording 24 points on 4-for-8 from deep to be the only Warrior in double figures.

Kerr went more traditional to start the third, re-inserting DiVincenzo and Looney in place of Lamb and Kuminga. It proved effective as Golden State ate into the margin, though they were never able to fully get over the hump despite having multiple opportunities to tie or take the lead.

After Curry kept his team close in the first-half, it was time for the Warrior youngsters to step up at the most critical of times. Following strong third-quarters from Kuminga and Moses Moody, it was all about the Poole party in the fourth as he bombed away from deep, danced to the rim, and got himself to the free-throw line at will over the closing stages.

A frustrated Mark Daigneault had seen enough with nearly three minutes still to play, pulling his starters to signify the end of the extraordinary turnaround. Kerr did the same shortly after, a remarkable turn of events after the Warriors had struggled to keep up with the Thunder for the majority of the game.

Curry led all scorers with 34 on six made threes, also adding five rebounds and six assists in a vitally important all-around display. Poole’s 30 came after a rough start to the game, while Green produced 17 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks in another versatile performance from the defensive anchor. DiVincenzo’s 16 points, five rebounds and six assists proved he’s just as effective starting or coming off the bench.

Yet for all the strong performances, it may have been Moody who proved the story of the game. The 20-year-old hit three of his five threes, had a huge putback dunk off a missed free-throw, and rebounded hard in a 13-point, five-rebound performance that was arguably his best of the season.

After a loss from the New Orleans Pelicans, and with both Los Angeles teams facing each other on Wednesday, Golden State’s destiny is back in their own hands with two games to play. Win against the Kings in Sacramento on Friday, and against the Trail Blazers in Portland on Sunday, and the Warriors are assured a top six spot in the West.