Kristaps Porzingis returns, but undermanned Warriors fall to Thunder
· Yahoo Sports
OKLAHOMA CITY - The return of Kristaps Porzingis from illness couldn't stop the Golden State Warriors, undermanned again at Paycom Center, from succumbing to the defending NBA champions.
Porzingis ended his six-game absence Saturday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, flashing his uncanny two-way skill set in a hard-played 104-97 loss. Down point guard Stephen Curry for the 13th straight game - with De'Anthony Melton, Moses Moody, Will Richard and Seth Curry - the Warriors shot 14-for-45 from 3-point range.
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Porzingis finished with nine points (3-for-10 shooting, five rebounds, five assists) in his first action since Feb. 19, adding a block in 23 minutes. Gui Santos led Golden State with 22 points and 11 rebounds while Brandin Podziemski added 17 points, six rebounds and six assists.
Draymond Green had 16 points and keyed a stellar defensive effort that held the Thunder to 42.3% shooting.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 27 points - including a last-minute triple over Green - for Oklahoma City, eclipsing the 20-point plateau for the 125th consecutive game. Should he score 20 the next time he plays, he'll equal Warriors legend Wilt Chamberlain for the NBA record (126) for most consecutive 20-point games.
Golden State (32-31) battled to a 67-54 halftime deficit as Oklahoma City - down star big man Chet Holmgren plus Alex Caruso, Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein and Ajay Mitchell - flexed its depth with Gilgeous-Alexander drawing Green, supported by the occasional double team. Gilgeous-Alexander used his dribble to bend the Warriors and open shots from 3-point range, converted at a 55% clip (11-for-20) in the first half by Oklahoma City (50-15).
Porzingis first took the court 4:57 into the opening quarter, committing two fouls and missing two shots in the first of three short-burst first-half shifts. He started his second shift with a block and set up in the low post offensively, usually guarded by smaller defenders who he attacked for scores and fouls.
His two first-half baskets came by way of close-range shots over smaller defenders, making three of four free throws. Gilgeous-Alexander's penetration helped free Kenrich Williams for 13 first-half points as Golden State mixed defensive looks in effort to pester the reigning MVP.
A 23-10 start to the second half helped the Warriors secure a tie (77-77) when Malevy Leons made a 3, courtesy of Porzingis amid a double team. Golden State mixed defensive coverages to coax five third-quarter turnovers from Thunder, who used a 3 from Isaiah Joe and two free throws from Gilgeous-Alexander to lead 86-83 atop the fourth.
Thunder 104, Warriors 97
FGFTRebGOLDEN STATEMinM-AM-AO-TAPFPTSGreen32:386-100-02-45216Santos37:068-194-63-113222Horford28:432-60-01-5414Podziemski39:456-172-21-66117Spencer25:284-60-00-1129Porzingis22:593-103-61-5549Payton II21:223-80-27-12127Cryer17:002-40-00-2026N.Williams8:351-62-20-0124Leons6:231-20-00-1203Totals240:0036-8811-1815-47281897Percentages: FG .409, FT .611.
3-Point Goals: 14-45, .311 (Green 4-6, Podziemski 3-10, Cryer 2-4, Santos 2-9, Leons 1-2, Spencer 1-2, Payton II 1-4, N.Williams 0-2, Horford 0-3, Porzingis 0-3).
Team Rebounds: 10. Team Turnovers: 2.
Blocked Shots: 3 (Horford, Leons, Porzingis).
Turnovers: 11 (Green 4, Spencer 2, Horford, Payton II, Podziemski, Porzingis, Santos).
Steals: 8 (Green 2, Podziemski 2, Santos 2, Payton II, Spencer).
Technical Fouls: None.
FGFTRebOKLAHOMA CITYMinM-AM-AO-TAPFPTSDort33:303-100-01-5218Wallace31:134-80-00-0229Jay.Williams33:043-70-02-14439Gilgeous-Alexander35:006-1514-150-55127Joe34:485-126-60-43418Wiggins28:313-92-22-4429K.Williams19:165-91-10-71213McCain12:563-70-01-2139Barnhizer11:421-10-01-1202Totals240:0033-7823-247-422418104Percentages: FG .423, FT .958.
3-Point Goals: 15-42, .357 (Jay.Williams 3-6, McCain 3-6, K.Williams 2-4, Dort 2-7, Joe 2-7, Wallace 1-3, Gilgeous-Alexander 1-4, Wiggins 1-5).
Team Rebounds: 7. Team Turnovers: None.
Blocked Shots: 1 (Gilgeous-Alexander).
Turnovers: 14 (Jay.Williams 6, Gilgeous-Alexander 4, Wallace 3, Dort).
Steals: 7 (Wallace 4, Dort, Gilgeous-Alexander, Wiggins).
Technical Fouls: None.
Golden State28262914-97Oklahoma City34331918-104A_18,203 (18,203).
Golden State stayed within striking distance with stellar defense and timely scores, including a cutting dunk from Porzingis and layup through contact for Santos. But Santos and Podziemski missed potential equalizers and Gilgeous-Alexander sized up Green, converting his stepback to frenzy the crowd with 42.4 seconds to play.
Porzingis missed a jumper on the ensuing possession and Gilgeous-Alexander made two free throws to the tune of chants of "MVP."
The Warriors conclude their three-game trip Monday against the Utah Jazz.
This article originally published at Kristaps Porzingis returns, but undermanned Warriors fall to Thunder.