Golden State Warriors kicked off the NBA’s new in-season tournament with a nail-biting victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, as Stephen Curry’s last-second layup sealed the deal, ending the game with a score of 141-139. The match was a rollercoaster ride of 23 lead changes, with the score tied at 139-139 when Curry made his decisive move.
Driving to the basket, he deftly banked in a shot that seemed to secure the win for the Warriors. However, a controversial offensive goaltending call against Draymond Green, whose hand was near the rim, momentarily dampened the celebrations. Fortunately for Golden State, the call was ultimately overturned, allowing them to breathe a sigh of relief and claim the victory.
A very exciting W 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/CV0JmxG4Zf
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 4, 2023
Golden State Warriors Thunder Past Competition to Launch In-Season Tournament Campaign
Curry was the standout performer of the game, delivering an impressive 30 points, including five three-pointers out of 10 attempts and nine successful field goals out of 15. Green also made a notable contribution with 15 points and five rebounds, while Chris Paul showcased his playmaking skills by dishing out 13 assists.
On the opposing side, Lu Dort led the scoring for the Thunder with 29 points, supported by Chet Holmgren’s 24 points. Unfortunately for Oklahoma City, they were without their leading scorer, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was sidelined due to a knee injury. Nevertheless, the Thunder put up a valiant fight, refusing to go down without a struggle.
When it mattered the most
the Dubs came out on top.@Kia || Clutch Plays pic.twitter.com/mIBGaw57cb— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 4, 2023
The Warriors held a two-point lead at halftime, but a determined effort from Dort in the third quarter propelled the Thunder ahead by five. However, Golden State displayed their resilience, rallying to tie the score at 106-106 heading into the final quarter.
Reflecting on the game, Warriors coach Steve Kerr admitted that his nerves were on edge when the officials reviewed the interference call on Green. From his courtside perspective, Curry’s shot appeared valid, but the final decision would depend on whether Green’s contact with the rim affected the outcome. Ultimately, the referees allowed Curry’s basket to stand, much to Kerr’s relief.
This thrilling contest marked the opening night of the new Cup-style tournament introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver. The tournament aims to ignite players’ competitive instincts and generate heightened interest in early-season games. The 30 teams were divided into six groups of five, with each team scheduled to play four tournament games this month. The six group winners and two wildcard qualifiers will advance to the quarter-finals. Notably, all tournament games count towards the regular season standings, except for the final scheduled for December 9 in Las Vegas.
In other tournament action, the reigning NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets, handed the Dallas Mavericks their first loss of the season with a score of 125-114. Nikola Jokic, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, played a pivotal role for the Nuggets, delivering an outstanding performance with 33 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists. Denver dominated the paint, scoring 20 second-chance points, while Luka Doncic led the charge for the Mavericks with 34 points.
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The first victory of the tournament belonged to the Indiana Pacers, who secured a 121-116 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Myles Turner led the way for the Pacers with 27 points, supported by Tyrese Haliburton’s 18 points and 13 assists. Despite the Cavaliers’ efforts, led by Donovan Mitchell’s impressive 38-point and nine-assist performance, they couldn’t maintain their lead in the fourth quarter.
As the in-season tournament gains momentum, fans can expect more thrilling clashes and captivating moments on the court. The tournament’s unique format adds a fresh dimension to the regular season, offering teams an opportunity to compete for additional accolades and ignite their competitive spirits.
