Thunder Stay Perfect with Dominant Win Over Hawks

By Isaiah Magar

Atlanta, GA – Saturday

The Oklahoma City Thunder visited Atlanta for a matchup with the Hawks on Saturday night. The Thunder entered at 2-0, while the Hawks sat at 1-1.

1st Quarter

The first quarter started a bit sloppy for both teams, as all players seemed to have butterfingers for a couple of possessions. After settling in, though, each team found some rhythm — with Chet Holmgren acting as the catalyst for the Thunder.

Holmgren hit 4-for-4 from three-point range in the opening period, added a pair of free throws, grabbed four rebounds, and recorded a block. Ajay Mitchell continued his hot start to the season with a nice drive to the basket, a three-pointer of his own, and four assists.

Most of Atlanta’s offense came through Nickeil Alexander-Walker, cousin of SGA, who scored seven points in the period. The Thunder led 31-26 after 12 minutes.

2nd Quarter

Atlanta started hitting their shots about halfway through the second quarter after the Thunder jumped out to a nine-point lead. A huge dunk by Mouhamed Gueye and a couple of threes from the Hawks cut the Thunder’s advantage to two.

Oklahoma City stayed calm and collected, though, maintaining control and bringing a five-point lead into halftime. Trae Young posted 10 points and eight assists in the half, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tallied 13 points and four rebounds. Holmgren led all scorers at the break with 16 points, and the Thunder held a 60-55 lead.

3rd Quarter

The third quarter belonged entirely to the visiting Thunder, who exploded for 39 points in the period while holding the Hawks to just 25. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 17 points in the frame, with Holmgren and Mitchell continuing to contribute efficiently.

It seemed like every Thunder shot was falling as they built a commanding 99-80 lead heading into the fourth.

For Atlanta, Gueye and Newell provided some bright spots, though Newell’s attempt to throw down a dunk on Cason Wallace was emphatically denied. The officials initially called a shooting foul on Wallace, but a Mark Daigneault challenge overturned the call, confirming it was a clean block.

4th Quarter

The fourth quarter followed a similar pattern to the third — until garbage time, when the Hawks managed to string together a few late points. Still, this game was all but over before the final period began.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sat out the entire fourth quarter, while Holmgren and Mitchell carried the offense to the finish line.

Holmgren finished as the night’s leading scorer with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 steals.

The Thunder defeated the Hawks 117-100, improving to 3-0 on the season. The Hawks fell to 1-2.

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