The Thunder vs. Warriors Rivalry

Lore & Background

The dynamic shifted dramatically after Kevin Durant's departure to Golden State and the earlier arrival of Andre Iguodala in 2013. By 2016, the tables had turned completely. The Thunder pushed the Warriors to the brink in a seven-game Western Conference Finals, famously leading 3-1 before a historic Warriors comeback. This rivalry serves as the bridge between two eras: the end of the Thunder's championship window and the dawn of the Warriors' dynasty.

Reader's Guide

The rivalry began in earnest during the 2011-2012 season when the Thunder, led by Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, swept the Warriors in the first round. This set the stage for two brutal Western Conference Finals meetings in 2012 and 2013, where Oklahoma City dominated Golden State, proving their status as the league's best young team. As the seasons progressed, the Thunder began to falter due to injuries and internal friction, while the Warriors evolved into a cohesive unit centered around Stephen Curry.

By the 2015-2016 season, the power dynamic had flipped entirely. The Warriors dismantled the Thunder in the playoffs before facing them again in the NBA Finals. The rivalry effectively concluded after the 2016 Finals, where the Warriors overcame a massive deficit to win the championship. Following Kevin Durant's trade to Brooklyn and subsequent move to Golden State, the competitive nature of the matchup dissolved, marking the end of an era for both franchises.

Did You Know?

• The Thunder and Warriors met in only one playoff series: the 2016 Western Conference Finals, which the Warriors won 4-3.
• Stephen Curry had already won the MVP award for the 2014-15 season before the 2016 Western Conference Finals, so the rivalry did not establish him as a legitimate MVP candidate.
• There were no Thunder-Warriors playoff meetings before 2016, so Kevin Durant could not have averaged over 28 points per game against them in prior playoff series.