Imagine a basketball game where one team is missing its star players, leaving the court wide open for their opponents to dominate. That’s exactly what happened on January 2, 2026, when the Oklahoma City Thunder crushed the Golden State Warriors 131-94 in a matchup that felt more like a practice session than a competitive NBA game. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was this a fair win, or did the Warriors’ depleted roster skew the outcome?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge for the Thunder, dropping 30 points and dishing out seven assists in a performance that felt almost effortless. This marked his seventh game in the last nine with 30 or more points—a streak that’s hard to ignore. Chet Holmgren also stepped up, contributing 15 points and a season-high 15 rebounds, just shy of his career best. The Thunder’s victory extended their winning streak to four games, bouncing back strong after a rare two-game skid earlier in the season.
Now, let’s talk about the Warriors. And this is the part most people miss: Golden State was missing nearly half of their starting lineup due to injuries and illnesses. Stephen Curry sat out with a left ankle sprain, Jimmy Butler fell ill earlier in the day, and Draymond Green was rested. Even Jonathan Kuminga was sidelined with back soreness. This left Steve Kerr with a starting lineup that felt more like a G League squad than an NBA contender: Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Will Richard, Gui Santos, and Quinten Post.
Despite the odds, the Warriors showed glimpses of resilience. Will Richard’s 3-pointer in the second quarter briefly narrowed the gap to 38-36, but the Thunder responded with a devastating 19-0 run, effectively sealing the game by halftime. Richard finished with 13 points and five rebounds, while Moody and Al Horford also chipped in 13 points each. Pat Spencer dished out 11 assists, but it wasn’t enough to stop the defending champion Thunder, who had lost their previous two road games but had already beaten the Warriors 124-112 just a month earlier.
Kerr remains optimistic, hinting that Curry might return for Saturday’s game against the Jazz. Meanwhile, the Thunder will look to keep their momentum going as they visit Phoenix on Sunday. The Warriors, on the other hand, will host Utah on Saturday night to complete a back-to-back.
Here’s the burning question: Does this blowout win for the Thunder truly reflect their dominance, or does it highlight the Warriors’ vulnerability when their stars are absent? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark some heated opinions!
