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Feb 29, 2016 - 1:54 AM Despite allowing 121 points and a record-tying 3-point performance in a home loss, the Oklahoma City Thunder were pleased with their most recent defensive effort.

That's something the Sacramento Kings rarely feel.

Facing that porous Kings defense along with the possible absence of Rajon Rondo leaves the Thunder a prime opportunity to regroup from a deflating defeat as they kick off a four-game road trip Monday night.

Oklahoma City (41-18) was in position to hand Golden State its sixth loss of the season Saturday, holding an 11-point lead with less than five minutes remaining. Instead, the Warriors came back to force overtime, and Stephen Curry hit the last of his record-tying 12 3-pointers from 32 feet with 0.6 seconds left to hand the Thunder a crushing 121-118 loss.

"Moral victories are for young teams," Kevin Durant told the team's official website after fouling out with 37 points. "We'll get better from it and worry about the next game."

Durant did say his team's defense was "better" after limiting the league's highest-scoring team - Golden State averages 115.4 points - to 103 in regulation.

''I thought all of the guys really played their hearts out and did a lot of good things,'' coach Billy Donovan said. ''It's disappointing to come up short like that, but I think there is a lot we can take from it in terms of what we can do and what we are capable of doing defensively with a tremendous amount of energy and focus."

The Thunder finished with a 62-32 rebounding advantage. They've lost four of five while giving up more than 100 points in each game, but they did hold the Warriors besides Curry to 2 of 16 from 3-point range.

"If we can give that defensive effort every night that would be really great for our team," said Russell Westbrook, who had 26 points and 13 assists but shot 10 for 29.

George Karl rarely gets a good defensive effort from his Kings (24-33), who give up a league-worst 109.2 points per game. They've yielded more than 100 in 14 straight while allowing an average of 115.6.

Westbrook could have a particularly easy time if Rondo doesn't play after missing Friday's 117-110 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers with right thumb tendinitis. Without Rondo, who has made two All-NBA Defensive first teams, the Kings let an ailing Chris Paul score a season-high 40 points and hand out 13 assists.

"I think we got frustrated," Karl said. "I think Rondo gives us some leadership, some maturity out there, so when the game gets going the wrong way that we feel maybe more confident to get a stop and/or a better shot."

X-rays were negative on Rondo, who is day to day but has been bothered by the thumb for a few weeks.

When these teams last met Jan. 5, Durant was out with a sprained toe and Westbrook tried to take more of the scoring load, but Rondo helped hold him to 6 of 23 from the field as Sacramento won 116-104 in Oklahoma City. Westbrook had 15 assists but Rondo had 19, and DeMarcus Cousins grabbed 19 rebounds to go with his 33 points.

It was just the Kings' third victory in the past 23 meetings.

Cousins came up one assist shy of his fifth career triple-double Friday with 26 points and 15 rebounds, but he shot 7 for 20. Sacramento is 2-12 when he's below 40 percent from the field.

The Thunder's road trip continues Wednesday against the Clippers and with a rematch the following night against the Warriors.