The Oklahoma City Thunder pulled the upset Monday night over the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena, 108-102 in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
Golden State's juggernaut offense went cold in the fourth quarter. The Warriors scored just 14 points in the final frame and made just one of their nine three-pointers. Oklahoma City won the second half by a dominant 61-42 tally to complete the comeback from a sluggish first half that saw Golden State up 60-47 at the break.
Russell Westbrook (7-21 FG, 11-14 FT) finished with a game-high 27 points to go with 12 assists, six rebounds and an astounding seven steals. Kevin Durant struggled to shoot (10-30 FG, 1-4 3PT) but still scord 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to go with three assists and three steals. Steven Adams gave the Thunder the critical third scoring threat they need to compete with Golden State, as he scored 16 points (5-8 FG, 6-9 FT) to go with 12 rebounds and two blocks. The Thunder shot a sharp 8-17 (47.1 percent) from three-point range, and they needed every bit of that hot shooting to keep up with the Warriors.
Steph Curry scored 26 points (9-22 FG, 6-14 3PT), grabbed 10 rebounds, dished seven assists and grabbed three steals. Klay Thompson added 25 points (11-25 FG, 3-8 3PT) and Draymond Green pitched in 23 points (9-20 FG, 0-4 3PT, 5-9 FT). But Golden State got just 12 points from Harrison Barnes (eight in the first quarter), zero points from Andrew Bogut, and just 16 points from their bench. The Warriors shot just 44 percent from the floor and shot a pedestrian 11-30 (36.7 percent) from three-point land, just enough of an off night to give the Thunder an opening to steal Game 1.
Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday at 9:00 PM Eastern Time.
