The Golden State Warriors found themselves in uncharted territory on Friday night, January 2, 2026, as they squared off against the surging Oklahoma City Thunder at Chase Center. With a depleted roster missing its biggest stars, the Warriors faced an uphill battle from the opening tip, ultimately falling 131-94 to a Thunder squad that continues to look every bit the Western Conference powerhouse.
From the outset, the odds were stacked against Golden State. The team was forced to roll out its 16th different starting lineup of the season, with Gui Santos making just his fourth career start at power forward. Joining him in the starting five were Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Will Richard, and Quinten Post—a group that, while energetic, lacked the firepower and cohesion of the usual Warriors lineup.
“We’re just trying to make the best of the situation,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said before the game, alluding to the team’s injury woes and strategic rest decisions. “It’s a chance for these young guys to show what they can do on a big stage.”
Golden State’s injury report read like a who’s who of the team’s core. Stephen Curry, the heartbeat of the franchise, was sidelined with a left ankle sprain sustained late in the previous game against the Charlotte Hornets. Curry himself downplayed the severity, calling it a “little blast from the past” and assuring fans that he’d be all right, but the team opted for caution, especially with a back-to-back looming. Jimmy Butler, a late scratch due to illness, joined Curry and Draymond Green (rest) on the bench. The absences didn’t stop there: De’Anthony Melton (knee), Seth Curry (sciatica), and Jonathan Kuminga (back soreness) were all ruled out, leaving the Warriors with just 10 available players.
On the other side, the Thunder weren’t at full strength either. They were missing Isaiah Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams, Nikola Topić, Ousmane Dieng, and Thomas Sorber due to various injuries and recoveries. Yet, the depth and cohesion of Oklahoma City’s roster shone through, led by the electric play of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Gilgeous-Alexander wasted no time stamping his authority on the contest, pouring in 12 points and three assists in the opening quarter as OKC jumped out to a 34-23 lead. By halftime, the Thunder had extended their advantage to 64-45, with SGA already tallying 16 points and five assists. Lu Dort knocked down a buzzer-beating three to close the half, and Chet Holmgren contributed 11 points and nine rebounds, setting the tone for a dominant night on the glass.
As the game wore on, the Warriors struggled to keep pace. Without their primary playmakers, the offensive burden fell squarely on the shoulders of Podziemski and Santos. Podziemski, Golden State’s third-leading scorer at 12.5 points per game, had recently impressed with a 19-point outing against Charlotte, but the Thunder’s league-best defense proved a much stiffer challenge. Santos, coming off his best game as a pro, battled valiantly, but the Warriors’ lack of depth was evident.
“We needed a big game from Podz,” Kerr admitted. “He’s been stepping up for us, but when you’re missing Steph, Jimmy, and Draymond, it’s a tall order for anyone.”
The Thunder, meanwhile, continued to flex their collective muscle. By the end of the third quarter, they held a commanding 95-66 lead, with Gilgeous-Alexander reaching the 30-point mark for yet another night. Holmgren was a force inside, finishing with 15 points and 15 rebounds, while Aaron Wiggins and Branden Carlson each chipped in 15 points. The Thunder’s ability to convert turnovers into points—an area where they lead the league—was on full display, as they capitalized on the Warriors’ inexperience and lack of continuity.
“Our defense really set the tone,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault told reporters. “We wanted to pressure the ball, get out in transition, and force them into tough shots. The guys executed the game plan perfectly.”
The final quarter saw more of the same, with Oklahoma City’s bench maintaining the intensity and extending the lead. By the final buzzer, the Thunder had secured a 131-94 victory, improving their season record to a league-best 30-5. Gilgeous-Alexander’s 30 points and seven assists were complemented by Holmgren’s double-double, while the Warriors’ depleted lineup simply couldn’t muster enough offense to keep things competitive.
Despite the lopsided score, there were a few silver linings for Golden State. Gui Santos, thrust into a starting role, continued to show promise as a versatile stretch four. Al Horford, probable coming into the game with right sciatic nerve irritation, contributed solid minutes at both power forward and center, helping the Warriors experiment with a double-big lineup out of necessity.
“It’s tough not having our guys, but it’s also a good opportunity for the younger players to get experience,” Horford said after the game. “We’ll regroup and try to get healthy for tomorrow.”
The Warriors now look ahead to a Saturday night matchup against the Utah Jazz, hopeful that some of their stars—particularly Curry and Butler—will be cleared to return. The NBA’s player participation policy for nationally televised games loomed over the night, with potential fines of $100,000 for illegitimate absences, but Golden State maintained that all injuries and illnesses were legitimate and documented.
For Oklahoma City, the win further cements their status as a juggernaut in the West. With Gilgeous-Alexander playing at an MVP level and Holmgren anchoring the paint, the Thunder have their sights set on a deep playoff run. Their ability to handle business even when short-handed speaks volumes about the depth and culture Daigneault has built.
As the Chase Center crowd filed out, there was a sense of resignation but also hope. The Warriors know their fortunes will change when their stars return, and the experience gained by the supporting cast could pay dividends down the stretch. For now, though, the Thunder reign supreme, and the NBA landscape just got a little clearer.