Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 39 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder (28-5) past the Atlanta Hawks (15-19), 140-129, on Monday night at Paycom Center. Chet Holmgren added 24 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks, while Jalen Williams contributed 20 points, nine boards, and seven assists for the NBA’s top team.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored the Thunder’s first eight points and made 15 of 24 shots, hitting all seven free throws to extend his streak of 20-point games to 104. Lu Dort chipped in with six points in the decisive third-quarter surge that helped Oklahoma City take a 100-85 lead.
Shai’s cousin Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Hawks with 30 points, and Onyeka Okongwu posted 26 points and 14 rebounds. The short-handed Hawks, missing Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, and Kristaps Porzingis, have now dropped seven straight games.
The game featured 86 combined 3-pointers, with Atlanta connecting on 25 of 54 (46.3%) and Oklahoma City making 12 of 32 (37.5%). The Thunder dominated the paint, scoring 70 points compared to 36 for the Hawks.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 of Oklahoma City’s 35 first-quarter points, while Alexander-Walker hit a 45-foot buzzer-beater to give Atlanta a 38-35 lead. The first half ended with the Hawks up 74-70 after a buzzer-beating layup by Dyson Daniels.
Oklahoma City took control in the third quarter with a 30-11 run sparked by Gilgeous-Alexander and Dort. Atlanta trimmed the lead to 113-103 with a three-point play from Luke Kennard, but the Thunder responded with another 16-4 run to maintain momentum.
Atlanta kept it close in the fourth quarter, with Zaccharie Risacher’s three-pointer cutting the deficit to 129-125 with 4:36 remaining. However, Oklahoma City held on to secure the win, shooting 54% from the field and 38% from three-point range, while limiting the Hawks to 47% and 46% respectively.
The Thunder, continuing their league-best start, will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, while the Hawks travel to face the Minnesota Timberwolves.
