Warriors’ Curry, Butler, Green Out vs. Thunder: Keys to Victory & Odds

Golden State Warriors face Oklahoma City Thunder without their top trio—Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green—in a high-stakes matchup. Here’s how the Warriors can win, key matchups, TV/stream info, and betting lines.

The Golden State Warriors start the new year with a home game against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder at 7 p.m. PT (10 p.m. ET) Friday, Jan. 2 at Chase Center in San Francisco. Both teams look to extend their win streaks and get things rolling for 2026.

Golden State (18-16) enters the game having won back-to-back games to end 2025, defeating the Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets. Oklahoma City has won three in a row after handling the Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers.

The last time these teams faced each other was on Dec. 2 when the Thunder got the better of the Warriors in a 124-112 victory. Oklahoma City is led by the reigning NBA MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is averaging 32.1 points per game on 56% field goal shooting and 42% from three.

The Warriors are going to have their work cut out for them as they go into this game without some key players. Here’s what you need to know ahead of Friday’s matchup between the Warriors and Thunder:

Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg dunks past Toronto Raptors' Sandro Mamukelashvili — Cooper Flagg dunks past Sandro Mamukelashvili

How to watch Thunder vs. Warriors: TV channel, live stream

Start time: 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT)
Location: Chase Center (San Francisco, California)
TV Channel: NBC Sports Bay Area; FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City; FanDuel Sports Network Midwest; FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma; FanDuel Sports Network Southwest
Live Stream: Prime Video; NBA League Pass

Warriors injury report

The Warriors will be without their veteran leaders, the big three of Stephen Curry (left ankle sprain), Jimmy Butler (illness) and Draymond Green (rest), in their game against the Thunder.

De’Anthony Melton is out due to left knee management. Seth Curry remains out as he deals with irritation in his left sciatic nerve. Warriors center Al Horford has irritation in his right sciatic nerve and is listed as probable.

Two-way player LJ Cryer is assigned to the G-League affiliate Santa Cruz Warriors.

On the bright side, Golden State has made Trayce Jackson-Davis despite nursing patellar tendinitis in his right knee.

Warriors keys to victory

Fill some big shoes: Warriors are without their top scorers and playmakers, so someone is going to have to step up and take the challenge of filling the roles of Curry, Butler and Green. Who will it be?
Make every possession count: The Thunder are a team where there’s little room for error, whether you’re missing stars or not. In this case, with the Warriors missing key guys, it’s important to make every possession count, both on offense and defense. Offensively, find quality shots and take care of the basketball. Defensively, players have to be active on the court. Pressure the perimeter, contain the paint and limit second-chance baskets.
Continue heater from deep: The Warriors made a season-high 24 three-point field goals as a team against Charlotte. Despite missing arguably the greatest shooters of all time, the expectation is still there to knock down threes. Golden State will need to be on a heater to keep up with Oklahoma City, who averages 122.1 points per game. The Warriors have scored more than 120 in their last five games going 4-1.
Keep Shai off the free throw line: Have to be sound, smart defensively. Gilgeous-Alexander has a high offensive IQ and knows how to exploit the defense and draw fouls. Warriors defenders have to be mindful of their angles and positioning when guarding the crafty Gilgeous-Alexander.