Thunder faces a shorthanded Warriors squad. Discipline, paint dominance, and stifled threes are crucial for securing victory on the road.
The Thunder head into San Francisco facing a Warriors team that will be without Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, a trio that normally defines Golden State’s identity on both ends of the floor. On paper, this looks like a game Oklahoma City should control.
In reality, it’s the type of road matchup that can quietly become uncomfortable if approached the wrong way. Short handed teams often play freer, harder, and with nothing to lose, especially at home. For the Thunder, this game isn’t about surviving star power, it’s about discipline, maturity, and turning a clear advantage into a complete road performance.
Here are the three keys to the game.
1. Set the Tone Early and Eliminate Belief
This game has all the makings of a dangerous road test if the Thunder allow it to linger. With Golden State missing its stars, the pressure flips entirely onto Oklahoma City.
The Warriors will come out loose, aggressive, and confident early, feeding off the home crowd and the freedom of low expectations. If the Thunder let them hang around through the first quarter, belief becomes the great equalizer.
Oklahoma City must establish control from the opening tip. That starts with physical defense, strong point of attack pressure, and purposeful offense that avoids careless turnovers.
This isn’t about playing fast for the sake of it, but about playing assertively and clean. A strong early stretch forces the Warriors into a halfcourt game they aren’t built to sustain for 48 minutes without their leaders.
2. Control the Paint and the Glass
Draymond Green’s absence removes the Warriors’ defensive backbone and best interior communicator. The Thunder have to make that hurt.
Getting downhill early and often should be a priority, whether through Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s rim pressure, secondary drives, or quick paint touches that collapse the defense. Attacking the paint doesn’t just generate points, it creates advantages, rotations, and higher quality perimeter looks.
On the other end, the Warriors will try to compensate for missing star power with effort. Offensive rebounds, loose balls, and second chance opportunities are how short-
handed teams stay competitive.
The Thunder must finish defensive possessions and control the glass to prevent Golden State from manufacturing momentum. Limiting extra possessions keeps this game from turning into a grind.
3. Take Away Comfortable Threes From Role Players
Even without Curry, the Warriors’ identity remains rooted in shooting. They will take a high volume of threes, and role players tend to play freer at home, especially when the offensive responsibility is shared. The Thunder cannot allow Golden State to find early rhythm looks, particularly in transition or off defensive breakdowns.
Disciplined closeouts are essential. Running shooters off the line, staying connected threw off ball movement, and forcing contested twos keeps the Warriors from playing to their preferred math. Oklahoma City doesn’t need to gamble, they need to stay solid, communicate, and make every three point attempt uncomfortable.
Ultimately, this matchup is about professionalism. If the Thunder set the tone early, control the paint and the glass, and deny easy threes, they should leave San Francisco with a businesslike road win.