OAKLAND – The Golden State Warriors’ home superiority took a hit Monday night, as they blew a 14-point second-half lead in a 108-102 loss to Oklahoma City in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
The Warriors controlled the first half, but turned sloppy in the second, committing numerous atrocious turnovers that helped the Thunder climb back into the game.
The loss was the first in seven Game 1s under coach Steve Kerr. It was the first Game 1 loss at home for the franchise since a 117-109 loss to Seattle on April 23, 1992.
Stephen Curry scored 26 points and Klay Thompson had 25 to lead the Warriors’ offense. Draymond Green finished with 23 points and Harrison Barnes added 12.
The Warriors committed one turnover in the first quarter but had 11 giveaways in the second and third quarters, as the Thunder stormed back.
Russell Westbrook scored 27 points and Kevin Durant added 26 to lead Oklahoma City.
STANDOUT PERFORMER:
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No Warrior was better than Thompson, who scored 19 points while containing Westbrook in the first half.
Thompson’s line: 25 points (11-of-25 from the field, including 3-of-5 beyond the arc), nine rebounds and four assists.
Curry’s playoff-career-high 10 rebounds were more than offset by seven turnovers.
TURNING POINT:
When the Warriors took an 81-69 lead with 3:32 left in the third quarter, the Thunder responded with 21-7 run to take a 90-88 lead with 10:30 left in the fourth quarter.
Though the Warriors got as close as one, they never took another lead.
The Warriors had a 13-point lead at the half and led by as much as 14 before the Thunder rallied in the third quarter to tighten things the rest of the way before pulling out the victory.
