On Saturday night at the Paycom Center, reigning NBA Champion and Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 104-97 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 27 points, including an impressive 14 points from free throws. His performance came amid ongoing discussions about NBA rules, as Warriors head coach Steve Kerr attributed the high number of free throws not to Gilgeous-Alexander’s play style but to the league’s regulations.
The Thunder’s win extended their reigning champion streak to five games and reinforced their position atop the Western Conference standings with a 50-15 record. Meanwhile, Golden State’s struggles continued without star Stephen Curry, dropping their record to 32-31 and placing them eighth in the conference.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s Rise and Playing Style Under Scrutiny
Since returning from an abdominal injury, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has maintained the high level of play that helped him secure multiple major accolades in the 2024-25 season, including the NBA Championship, Finals MVP, regular-season MVP, and scoring title. Currently averaging 31.7 points per game, he ranks second in league scoring and is on track to maintain his streak of three consecutive 30+ point seasons.
Despite his accolades, Gilgeous-Alexander’s style—emphasizing mid-range shots and drawing free throws frequently—has sparked some criticism. He is one of the league leaders in free throw attempts, averaging 9.3 per game behind only Luka Doncic. Some fans, opposing players, and coaches have questioned whether the Thunder benefit disproportionately from foul calls.
When asked about Gilgeous-Alexander’s 15 free throws against the Warriors, Steve Kerr praised his skill but pointed to the broader rules instead of the player himself.
He’s incredibly clever. He knows exactly how to draw contact. It’s all within the rules. I don’t have a problem with Shai. I have a problem with the rules.
Steve Kerr said
Golden State Warriors’ Performance Without Stephen Curry
Golden State’s difficulties in the 2025-26 season have been especially apparent in the absence of Stephen Curry, who has missed over a month of play. During this period, the Warriors have compiled a 5-8 record and stand at 9-15 overall without their superstar. This losing record highlights both Curry’s importance to the team and the challenges faced by the Warriors as they attempt to stay competitive.
Following a recent win against the Houston Rockets, Draymond Green commented on Curry’s expected return and the team’s mindset without him.
If his body allows him to get back, I know he will come back. He’s not wanting to just shut it down…Nobody’s expecting us to go on a 10-game win streak, but you just got to stay afloat (without him).
Draymond Green said after the game
With the Los Angeles Clippers closely trailing, only a single game behind Golden State, the Warriors remain eager for Curry’s return to help solidify their position and avert a deeper slide in the standings.
Warriors’ Strategic Moves and Future Prospects
As the trade deadline passed, the Warriors had been linked to big-name acquisitions like Giannis Antetokounmpo to bolster their roster and extend Stephen Curry’s championship window. However, they ultimately traded Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Atlanta Hawks to acquire veteran center Kristaps Porzingis instead.
ESPN analyst Marc J. Spears shared insights into Curry’s expectations for the team’s future, emphasizing the likelihood of a significant addition to the roster in the coming offseason.
He knows whether it’s a Giannis, whether it’s a LeBron James, there’s going to be somebody next summer that’s going to join him, join Jimmy, join Draymond, assuming he’s still there.
Marc J Spears said
Despite any offseason moves, the Warriors face a challenging path in the current season. The team is expected to participate in the play-in tournament and if they reach the playoffs, could encounter strong opponents like the Thunder or the Spurs in the opening round.
Implications of NBA Rules and Player Performance on the Game
The surge in free throw attempts by players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has brought renewed attention to NBA officiating and regulations. Steve Kerr’s comments highlight a coach’s frustration that talented players exploit existing rules skillfully, affecting game dynamics and potentially tipping competitive balance. With Gilgeous-Alexander continuing to draw fouls and score efficiently, discussions about possible rule changes or enforcement adjustments are likely to continue in the league.
Meanwhile, the Warriors’ challenges without Curry emphasize how star players influence team success and fan expectations. The organization’s attempts to strengthen their roster suggest a recognition that a single superstar, even one as impactful as Curry, needs complementary talent to compete at the highest level.
As the season progresses, both the Thunder’s dominance and Golden State’s resilience will remain focal points for NBA observers, with implications for the postseason and the league’s evolving competitive landscape. The relationship between rule interpretations, player strategies, and team construction will be critical storylines as the NBA approaches the playoffs.
Steve Kerr on SGA shooting 15 free throws against the Warriors:
“He’s incredibly clever. He knows exactly how to draw contact… I don’t have a problem with Shai. I have a problem with the rules.” 😭😭
— Hater Report (@HaterReport) March 8, 2026
Draymond Green on Steph Curry after the Houston win: “If his body allows him to get back, I know he will come back. He's not wanting to just shut it down…Nobody's expecting us to go on a 10-game win streak, but you just got to stay afloat (without him).”https://t.co/pB9ttDL5Zc
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 6, 2026
“He knows whether it's a Giannis, whether it's a LeBron James, there's going to be somebody next summer that's going to join him, join Jimmy, join Draymond, assuming he's still there”
Marc Spears on Steph Curry and the Warriors 👀
(via @957thegame)
pic.twitter.com/32M71uoHCn— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 8, 2026
