OKLAHOMA CITY _ The Warriors lack healthy bodies. They still have a surplus of All-Stars, though.
So with the Warriors missing Stephen Curry and a handful of key reserves, the Warriors survived by relying on a simple formula against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 111-107 victory on Tuesday. Hand most of the responsibility to Kevin Durant (34 points), Klay Thompson (20) and Draymond Green (five points, eight assists, four rebounds). If only it were that simple, though, for the Warriors to tell their All-Star players to do what they do best.
The Warriors still had to absorb the seemingly inevitable onslaught from Russell Westbrook (44 points on 15-of-26 shooting). They also had to absorb the Thunder taking an 81-80 lead with 1:57 left in the third quarter after last leading midway through the second quarter.
Still, Warriors (57-21) prevented the Thunder (45-34) from becoming the first Western Conference team to beat the Warriors three times in the regular season since the 2014-15 campaign by delivering in key moments. And they were mostly fueled by their All-Stars.
Durant drilled a 3-pointer to give the Warriors a 97-93 lead with 4:58 left. Nearly 14 seconds later, Durant set up Damian Jones for a bucket for a 99-93 lead, capturing an 8-point performance in 14 minutes. Durant later made a pair of foul shots to expand the lead to 103-97 with 2:37 remaining.
Durant committed a costly turnover that set up Corey Brewer for a dunk to cut the Warriors' lead to 107-105 with 18.1 seconds left. Durant also shot 9 of 25 from the field after opening the first quarter with 15 points on 4-of-8 shooting. Yet, Durant offset that with timely shots, a 14-of-14 mark from the free-throw line,10 rebounds and four assists.
In his third game since missing the previous eight with a fractured right thumb, Thompson shot 9 of 19 from the field and still exerted energy to hustle on defense against Paul George, who had 20 points on only 5-of-19 shooting.
The Warriors coaching staff jokingly referred to Green as former NBA point guard Mateen Cleaves during morning shootaround. Then during the game, Green excelled at the point forward position. He often ran the offense both in halfcourt and in transition. When Thompson and Nick Young picked up two fouls in the first quarter, Green played a bit at point guard. Green also made a pair of foul shots that gave the Warriors a 111-107 cushion with 10.1 seconds left.
Warriors guard Quinn Cook also added 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting and six assists.
