NBA: Depleted Thunder hold off Warriors to reach 50-win mark

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 27 points, including a clutch side-step 3-pointer in the final minute, to lift the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 104-97 home win over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.

Despite missing stars Stephen Curry, Moses Moody, and Will Richard, the Warriors pushed the Thunder to the limit. Oklahoma City held a nine-point lead with less than six minutes remaining before Golden State went on a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 99-97 with 2:02 left.

The Warriors had two chances to tie or take the lead, but Gilgeous-Alexander grabbed a rebound off Brandin Podziemski's floater and pushed the ball up the court, extending the lead with his decisive three-pointer. Golden State missed its final four shots, marking their third loss in four games.

Oklahoma City extended its winning streak to five games and became the first team in the NBA this season to reach 50 wins. With two free throws in the closing minutes of the third quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 points for the 125th consecutive game, moving one game shy of Wilt Chamberlain's NBA record for consecutive 20-point games.

Kristaps Porzingis returned for Golden State, playing for the first time since Feb. 19. In his second game with the Warriors after being acquired last month, Porzingis contributed nine points, five rebounds, five assists, and a block in 23 minutes. Gui Santos led the Warriors with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Podziemski added 17 points and Draymond Green 16.

After hitting 11 3-pointers in the first half, the Thunder cooled off in the third, making just 1 of 10 from beyond the arc. Golden State erased a 13-point halftime deficit and tied the game with 4:14 left in the quarter following a 17-4 run. Gilgeous-Alexander, however, made six free throws in the final four minutes of the third to give Oklahoma City an 86-83 lead heading into the fourth quarter. He finished 14 of 15 from the free-throw line.

Isaiah Joe added 18 points for the Thunder, who were without regular starters Chet Holmgren (flu), Isaiah Hartenstein (left calf contusion), and Jalen Williams (right hamstring strain). Kenrich Williams contributed 13 points off the bench, including 11 in the second quarter.

-Field Level Media/Reuters