The Oklahoma City Thunder (29-5) travel to San Francisco to face the Golden State Warriors (18-16) in a Western Conference showdown that pits the NBA’s top team against a playoff contender dealing with inconsistencies and injuries.
The Thunder, riding a dominant season, come off a strong performance, while the Warriors seek to rebound from a mixed recent stretch, highlighted by a win over Charlotte but losses exposing defensive vulnerabilities.
Venue Location
The game will be held at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. This 18,064-capacity arena, home to the Warriors since 2019, is known for its state-of-the-art facilities and energetic crowds, though attendance has fluctuated amid the team’s .529 win percentage this season.
Tip-off is scheduled for Friday, January 2, 2026, at 10:00 PM ET (9:00 PM CT / 7:00 PM PT). The game will be broadcast nationally on Prime Video, with local radio options including 95.7 The Game (Warriors) and WWLS 98.1 FM (Thunder), and streaming via NBA League Pass.
Injury Report
Both teams are navigating absences, with the Warriors particularly hit in their core rotation, potentially forcing adjustments.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Brooks Barnhizer is out (G League two-way). Ousmane Dieng is out (right calf strain). Jaylin Williams is out (right heel bursitis). Ajay Mitchell is questionable (left shin contusion). Isaiah Hartenstein is out (undisclosed). No other major issues reported, allowing the Thunder to maintain their starting lineup depth.
Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green is out (rest). Stephen Curry is questionable (left ankle sprain). De’Anthony Melton is questionable (knee injury management). L.J. Cryer is out (low back strain). These could sideline key veterans, pushing reliance on players like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski.
Player Matchups
Injuries could alter rotations, but the Thunder’s youth and athleticism may overwhelm Golden State’s experience. Key battles include:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) vs. Stephen Curry (GSW, if available): SGA’s scoring (28+ PPG) and efficiency face Curry’s three-point prowess (25 PPG, 40% from deep). If Curry sits, Podziemski steps in, potentially giving SGA driving lanes.
Jalen Williams (OKC) vs. Andrew Wiggins (GSW): Williams’ versatility (20 PPG, strong defense) clashes with Wiggins’ athleticism (18 PPG). This wing matchup could dictate transition scoring.
Luguentz Dort (OKC) vs. Klay Thompson (GSW): Dort’s elite perimeter defense tests Thompson’s shooting (15 PPG). Dort might limit Thompson’s open looks.
Chet Holmgren (OKC) vs. Draymond Green (GSW, out): Holmgren’s rim protection (top-5 in blocks) meets a likely Kuminga or Trayce Jackson-Davis. Without Green, Holmgren could dominate rebounds and paint defense.
OKC holds edges in most positions, especially if Curry and Melton are limited.
Recent Team Forms
The Thunder have been unstoppable, going 9-1 in their last 10 games with an average of 118 PPG scored and 102 allowed. Key wins include blowouts over contenders, fueled by efficient shooting (49% FG) and forcing turnovers (15+ per game).
The Warriors are 6-4 in their last 10, averaging 121.6 PPG but allowing 115, with a 132-125 win over Charlotte but losses to top teams exposing inconsistencies. They’ve shot well in wins (48% FG) but struggled with rebounding.
| Team | Last 10 Games | Win Streak | PPG Scored | PPG Allowed | Key Trend |
| Thunder | 9-1 | W5 | 118.0 | 102.5 | 5-0 in last 5 road games statmuse.com |
| Warriors | 6-4 | W1 | 121.6 | 115.0 | 4-1 in last 5 home games statmuse.com |
Series History
The Thunder lead the all-time series 148-124 in 272 regular-season games.
In the last 10 meetings, Golden State holds a 6-4 edge, with high-scoring affairs averaging 230 points.
This season, the Warriors won 127-116 on November 10, 2025, but OKC took the most recent on December 2, 2025.
The Warriors are 5-5 in their last 10 home games vs. OKC. The teams meet again on March 7 in Oklahoma City.
Betting Trends
Thunder Trends: OKC is 22-12 ATS overall and 11-6 ATS on the road. They’ve covered in 7 of their last 10 and are 15-2 SU as favorites. The under has hit in 6 of 10 games.
Warriors Trends: Golden State is 15-18-1 ATS and 9-8 ATS at home. They’ve covered 4 of their last 5 but are 4-6 ATS as underdogs. The over has cashed in 7 of 10 recent games.
Series Trends: In the last 10 matchups, the home team is 6-4 ATS, with the over hitting 6 times (average 230 points).
Game Odds
Oklahoma City Thunder – 8.5
Golden State Warriors 228.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, January 1, 2026
