ATLANTA – The reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder continued their dominant start to the season, pulling away in the second half for a comfortable 117-100 victory over the short-handed Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night.
Chet Holmgren exploded for 31 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while last season’s league MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, followed up his career-best 55-point performance on Thursday with another stellar night, scoring 30 points. The Thunder improved to 3-0 on the season, recalling last year’s title run which began with seven straight wins.
Oklahoma City sealed the deal by outscoring Atlanta after a tight first half, beginning the third quarter with an 8-0 run to stretch a 60-55 halftime lead. Gilgeous-Alexander showcased his efficiency with a pull-up jumper and a three-point play, before Holmgren—who finished 6 of 8 from beyond the arc—connected from long range. Gilgeous-Alexander was nearly flawless on two-point attempts, making 10 of 11.
The Hawks, missing three starters—Kristaps Porzingis (flu-like symptoms), Zaccharie Risacher (right ankle sprain), and Jalen Johnson (right ankle sprain)—struggled to keep pace. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led Atlanta with 17 points, but the loss marks the Hawks’ second lopsided defeat at home this season.
The game also featured a family connection, as Thunder point guard Cason Wallace (3 points) faced off against his older brother, Keaton Wallace, a backup guard for the Hawks (5 points).
The Thunder will wrap up their three-game road trip on Monday when they face the Dallas Mavericks.
