Shohei Ohtani's hometown waits another day for superstar's first World Series title

OSHU CITY, Japan (AP) — A small group of about 60 fans gathered Wednesday morning for a watch party at the city hall in Shohei Ohtani's hometown in northern Japan.

They came dressed mostly in blue, the interlocking LA on their caps, to celebrate a World Series title for Ohtani, the Dodgers and this rural community.

They left disappointed.

The Yankees defeated the Dodgers 11-4, but there was no loss of confidence in Oshu City, located about 300 miles (500 kilometers) north of Tokyo.

“I would have been happy for the Dodgers to win all four games, but I didn't mind losing one,” fan Yoshiyuki Kosaka said. "The Dodgers still have the advantage and I want them to win the World Series title tomorrow.”

Fans predicted their local superstar and the Dodgers — he played Little League and high school baseball here — would rally and clinch the series in Game 5. The Dodgers lead 3-1 and are still strong favorites in the best-of-seven series.

“The Dodgers were in a good mood yesterday and I hoped they would keep the momentum going and win today," said another fan, Yoko Chiba. "But it ended not with the result I was hoping for.”

The fans made racket with their thunder sticks for a minute in the seventh with Ohtani batting and the Dodgers trailing 6-4. The plastic noisemakers even carried an encouraging message on the side: “The Pride of Oshu City.”

It didn't help. Ohtani struck out and the noise stopped, typifying the morning.

Oshu Mayor Jun Kuranari offered confidence in Ohtani.

“Together with our local people, I hope that Ohtani, who is from here, will hit a smashing home run tomorrow," he said.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

People react as they watch a live view of Game 4 of the baseball World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees during a public viewing event in Oshu, northeastern Japan, the hometown of Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

People react as they watch a live view of Game 4 of the baseball World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees during a public viewing event in Oshu, northeastern Japan, the hometown of Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

A man brings up a poster of Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers as he and others watch a live view of Game 4 of the baseball World Series between the Dodgers and the New York Yankees during a public viewing event in Oshu, northeastern Japan, the hometown of Ohtani, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

People react as they watch a live view of Game 4 of the baseball World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees during a public viewing event in Oshu, northeastern Japan, the hometown of Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

People react as they watch a live view of Game 4 of the baseball World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees during a public viewing event in Oshu, northeastern Japan, the hometown of Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 30 points and seven assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the short-handed Golden State Warriors for a 131-94 win Friday night.

Stephen Curry sat out because of a left ankle sprain and backcourt mate Jimmy Butler became ill earlier in the day. Draymond Green rested, while Jonathan Kuminga missed the game with back soreness.

That left Steve Kerr's starting lineup as Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Will Richard, Gui Santos and Quinten Post.

Kerr was optimistic Curry would play Saturday against the Jazz.

Gilgeous-Alexander shot 10 for 20 with three 3-pointers and converted all seven of his free throws for his seventh game in the last nine with 30 or more points — and now three straight. He had 38 points on 13-for-21 shooting with five 3-pointers in the last matchup against the Warriors.

Chet Holmgren contributed 15 points and a season-best 15 rebounds — two off his career high — as Oklahoma City (30-5) won a fourth straight following its first two-game skid of the season.

Richard had 13 points and five rebounds, Al Horford and Moody also scored 13 while Pat Spencer dished out 11 assists against the defending champion Thunder, who had lost their previous two road games but also won 124-112 at Golden State exactly a month earlier on Dec. 2.

Richard's 3-pointer with 7:19 left in the second quarter got Golden State within 38-36 before Oklahoma City answered with a 19-0 run to go ahead 64-45 at halftime.

The Warriors had won two straight, five of six and three in a row at home, where they are in a stretch with 10 of 11 at Chase Center.

Thunder: Visit Phoenix on Sunday.

Warriors: Host Utah on Saturday night to complete a back-to-back.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (15) is fouled by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) shoots a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) shoots while defended by Golden State Warriors center Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)