Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors did not lead once in a 104–97 loss against All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder, after erasing a 14-point deficit. The Thunder regained the lead before putting the Warriors away in the fourth quarter. Kristaps Porzingis played only his second game since his trade from the Atlanta Hawks, but it was Gilgeous-Alexander who drained a dagger-3 down the stretch.
Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 27 points on 6-for-15 from the floor and 14-of-15 from the free-throw line, which came during Kerr's postgame media availability. Kerr criticized Gilgeous-Alexander's approach, which was a subject of debate among many NBA circles; However, warriors are prominent Coach gives credit to reigning MVP.
“Well, he's incredibly smart, and he knows how to make contact, and it's all within the rules,” Kerr said. "I don't have a problem with Shai; I have a problem with the rules. As a league, too much off-arm – we hardly allow defenses to protect the ball.
So, if you allow the offensive player to push off-arm to create space, it becomes really difficult defensively because you can't get your arm inside. If you put your hand in, everyone in the league will do what Shai does, what James Harden does. They'll put a hook on your arm and it's all part of the rules."
For Warriors' Steve Kerr, the rule change is important, rather than blaming Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the foul.
"More power to all the individual players, but as a league, we need to adapt and adjust," Kerr said. "Players, year after year, take advantage of the rules, and they're smart; they know what they're doing."
"My wife has one of those."
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasn't a fan of Jalen Williams' outfit 🙂
(via @sports center)
pic.twitter.com/vvUAweL5x0- ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 8 March 2026
Gui Santos' double-double (22 points, 11 rebounds) led the Warriors. Brandin Podziemski finished with 17 points, six assists and six rebounds, and Draymond Green added 16 points, five assists and two steals.
Mike Dunleavy on Warriors Kristaps Porzingis
Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy does not consider Kristaps Porzingis a rental, citing the 7-foot center as an important part of his team's future. According to ESPN's Anthony Slater and Ramona Shelburne, despite Porzingis' health setbacks over the past two seasons, Dunleavy addressed the veteran center's future with the team.
“We see him as more than a rental,” Dunleavy said. "We think he can help our team this year, improve our playoff position, and then moving forward that's what we're looking for."
The Warriors conclude their three-game road trip on Monday against the Jazz.
