The Thunder didn't have star guard Russell Westbrook (knee) in the lineup for Tuesday night's season opener, but Oklahoma City gave the Warriors all they could handle.
Golden State narrowly escaped with a 108-100 victory at Oracle Arena with two-time MVP Stephen Curry (32 points, nine assists, eight rebounds) leading the way. Paul George scored a team-high 27 points for OKC, and Dennis Schroder added 21 points, nine rebounds and six assists as the starting point guard. The Thunder jumped ahead with a big run in the third quarter, but the Warriors hit enough timely shots to ultimately shut down the rally.
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Sporting News provided live updates from the Warriors' win below. Check out all of the highlights you may have missed...
Box score, full stats
Final: Warriors 108, Thunder 100
1:22 a.m. ET — Give the Thunder credit, but the Warriors are the defending champs for a reason. Golden State is 1-0.
1:17 a.m. ET — That Stephen Curry shimmy... Golden State is back in the driver's seat.
Steph's shimmy is 🔙#DubNation pic.twitter.com/tgjQmhoPtR
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 17, 2018
1:07 a.m. ET — Let's set the scene...
Warriors 99, Thunder 94 with 3:05 left on the clock. No players in foul trouble, so it will be the stars on the floor down the stretch.
12:56 a.m. ET — Jerami Grant has roughly the same wingspan as a pterodactyl.
Jerami Grant extends for the tough bucket!#ThunderUp #KiaTipOff18
— NBA (@NBA) October 17, 2018
📺: @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/LyF166GJqX
12:51 a.m. ET — Injury update: Don't expect Andre Iguodala to return quickly here.
Injury Update: Andre Iguodala (left calf tightness) - Return is Questionable
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) October 17, 2018
End of third quarter: Warriors 83, Thunder 79
12:45 a.m. ET — Paul George goes off in the third to keep things interesting. He's now up to 21 points with five assists and four steals. Stephen Curry leads the Warriors with 27 points, and he's approaching triple-double territory with eight rebounds and seven assists. Despite Russell Westbrook and DeMarcus Cousins sitting on the bench, this has been a fun contest.
12:33 a.m. ET — Stephen Curry drills his fifth 3-pointer to calm down the Oracle Arena crowd. The Warriors reclaim their lead, but the Thunder aren't going away like many Golden State opponents do in the third quarter. An impressive effort by Billy Donovan's squad.
5th trey of the contest for Steph Curry! ☔️#DubNation 75 | #ThunderUp 71
— NBA (@NBA) October 17, 2018
📺: @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/QtAP6hnJmi
12:22 a.m. ET — The Thunder are hitting everything to start the third quarter. Paul George drains his first four field goal attempts, and OKC quickly takes a 69-66 lead. Wow. What a response.
Paul George gets the action underway in half #2!@okcthunder x @warriors - #KiaTipOff18
— NBA (@NBA) October 17, 2018
📺: @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/mXylRXxIPs
9 straight PTS for Paul George! #ThunderUp#KiaTipOff18 on @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/WyS6CH6w6M
— NBA (@NBA) October 17, 2018
Halftime: Warriors 57, Thunder 47
12:01 a.m. ET — It's all Golden State through 24 minutes. Stephen Curry (19 points in 17 minutes) and Kevin Durant (15 points in 18 minutes) are scoring with ease, and the Thunder are still searching for an answer. Paul George is struggling (six points, minus-16), and without Russell Westbrook on the floor, OKC can't match the offensive firepower.
11:51 p.m. ET — OK, this layup didn't count because of a foul away from the ball, but this Kevin Durant crossover is NASTY.
Saucy. #DubNation pic.twitter.com/sQTylaexXs
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 17, 2018
11:44 p.m. ET — Steven Adams is clearly dealing with some discomfort, but he is gutting it out. The big man has nine points and four rebounds in 12 minutes so far.
11:35 p.m. ET — Klay Thompson and his new beard want to score three points the traditional way.
Klay with the and-1! 💪
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 17, 2018
📺 @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/u8HclkONAw
End of first quarter: Warriors 31, Thunder 23
11:25 p.m. ET — Bad news for the Thunder: Golden State appears to be in complete control.
Good news for the Thunder: Russell Westbrook brought snacks.
When you're hungry, you're hungry. 😂 pic.twitter.com/BAIxpbYy9z
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 17, 2018
11:16 p.m. ET — There's a familiar face in a new place. Dennis Schroder scores his first bucket as a member of the Thunder.
Paul George kicks out to Dennis Schroder for his 1st hoop in an @okcthunder uniform! #KiaTipOff18 #ThunderUp
— NBA (@NBA) October 17, 2018
WATCH on @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/ulldDwhtiO
11:07 p.m. ET — Quick update: Kevin Durant is still good at basketball.
Kevin Durant spins it off the window! #KiaTipOff18 #DubNation
— NBA (@NBA) October 17, 2018
📺: @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/y66cdxeCge
10:58 p.m. ET — Following the ring and banner ceremony, the game is on... and Stephen Curry hits a 3-pointer. Yep, of course.
Steph Curry opens up play from deep! #KiaTipOff18 @warriors x @okcthunder
— NBA (@NBA) October 17, 2018
📺: @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/8j0rELvbKL
10:46 p.m. ET — Reversible ring? When you win these things all the time, you have to get creative.
First reversible championship ring ever! Jason of Beverly Hills coming through with some innovative work in the championship hardware department. 🏆💍 #DubNation pic.twitter.com/wlxCXZQuQw
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 17, 2018
10:26 p.m. ET — And here come the champs...
MOOD 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hIHOZcL5Wo
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 17, 2018
10:10 p.m. ET — Stephen Curry is busting out some new kicks for the opener. Do you approve of his selection?
🔒 #DubNation pic.twitter.com/BIqyFBYZY1
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 17, 2018