The Thunder’s Stellar Performance against the Hawks

In a captivating Sunday night showdown, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder showcased an impressive performance with 35 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. The robust play resulted in a 128-104 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Both teams entered the game having won their first two matches, but the Thunder proved to be the stronger force.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Near Triple-Double

Gilgeous-Alexander was just a step away from securing his third career triple-double, demonstrating his integral role in the victory. The Thunder’s Chet Holmgren contributed significantly, delivering 25 points, nine rebounds, and six blocks. Further amplifying the team’s performance, Jalen Williams added 20 points and nine rebounds.

The Fourth Quarter: A Game-Changer

The game witnessed a pivotal moment in the fourth quarter when the Thunder outscored Atlanta 39-18. Oklahoma City showed their prowess by sinking 14 out of 23 field goals, while Atlanta managed only 6 out of 20.

The Hawks’ Trae Young, despite his commendable efforts of 24 points and eight assists, found himself limited to just 14 shots due to the relentless defense of Oklahoma City’s guards. Zaccharie Risacher, the French forward and No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, contributed with 13 points and six rebounds in 27 minutes for Atlanta.

Turning Point for the Thunder

Even when trailing 58-50 with less than a minute remaining in the first half, Oklahoma City never wavered. They clawed back, scoring the final seven points of the second quarter, including a decisive putback from Williams at the buzzer. This momentum shift saw the Thunder narrow down the deficit to a single point, 58-57, at halftime.

Thunder’s Unstoppable Streak in the Fourth

Atlanta held a slim lead in the fourth quarter, 92-91, before the Thunder unleashed a 13-0 run, with Gilgeous-Alexander contributing six points to the streak. This pivotal moment saw the Thunder halt the Hawks’ scoring for over three minutes, seizing control of the game permanently.

Thunder’s Inside Attack: The Decisive Factor

The Thunder were notably efficient inside the 3-point line, scoring 28 out of 49 attempts. Once they asserted dominance at the basket, they also started to connect from downtown.

The NBA action continues with the Hawks hosting the Washington Wizards on Monday, while the Thunder entertain the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.