The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their perfect start to the season, improving to 3-0 with a commanding 117-100 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night at the State Farm Arena. A balanced and potent offensive attack, led by standout performances from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, proved too much for the struggling Hawks, who fall to 1-2 on the young season.
From the opening tip, the Thunder asserted their dominance, jumping out to an early lead and never looking back. They won the first quarter 31-26, setting the tone for what would be a night of offensive efficiency. While the second quarter was an even 29-29 affair, the Thunder entered halftime with a 60-55 advantage, firmly in control of the contest.
The game was truly broken open in the third quarter. Oklahoma City came out of the locker room with a renewed intensity, exploding for a 39-point period while holding the Hawks to just 25. This decisive run stretched the Thunder’s lead to a game-high 24 points, effectively putting the game out of reach for Atlanta. The fourth quarter saw the Thunder ease off the gas, being outscored 20-18, but the damage was already done, and they cruised to a comfortable 17-point victory.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was once again the catalyst for the Thunder, finishing with a game-high 30 points on an efficient 12-of-17 shooting, to go along with 5 assists. Chet Holmgren was a force to be reckoned with, recording a double-double with an impressive 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Holmgren was particularly lethal from beyond the arc, connecting on 6 of his 8 three-point attempts. The Thunder also received a significant boost from their bench, with Ajay Mitchell contributing 14 points and Aaron Wiggins adding 9.
For the Hawks, Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the scoring with 17 points. Asa Newell had a productive night with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Trae Young chipped in with 15 points and 10 assists. Despite their efforts, the Hawks struggled to find an offensive rhythm and were unable to match the firepower of the Thunder.
Statistically, the Thunder’s dominance was evident across the board. They shot a blistering 46.2% from the field and an impressive 37.8% from three-point range. The battle on the boards was a key factor in the outcome, with Oklahoma City outrebounding Atlanta 50-46. The Thunder were particularly relentless on the offensive glass, pulling down 15 offensive rebounds which led to a staggering 30-9 advantage in second-chance points. This disparity was a clear indicator of the Thunder’s hustle and effort, which ultimately proved to be the difference in the game. The Hawks, on the other hand, struggled with their shooting, connecting on only 41.2% of their field goals, and were unable to overcome their defensive lapses.
