The defending champion Thunder continued their perfect start to the season with a comfortable 117-100 victory over the Hawks. Unlike their first two intense overtime games, this win was more straightforward, led by another fantastic performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a big night from Chet Holmgren.
This game highlighted the Thunder’s strong form, with their star players shining and their bench providing solid support. For the Hawks, playing without three key starters proved to be a major challenge against the reigning champions, making it a difficult night for their star guard, Trae Young.
🏆 MVP Form Continues for SGA
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s reigning MVP, is showing no signs of slowing down. He continued his amazing start to the season, scoring 30 points in just 29 minutes against the Hawks. He now has an incredible 120 points in 122 minutes over the first three games. This performance also marked his 75th consecutive regular-season game with 20 or more points, a feat that puts him in the company of legends like Wilt Chamberlain. Coach Mark Daigneault praised his star player’s hard work and motivation, while SGA himself remains focused. “I’m not letting any opportunity go to waste,” he said. “No matter what, I try to go out and do the right basketball play.”
🔥 Holmgren Steps Up Big
While SGA was brilliant, the team’s leading scorer for the night was actually Chet Holmgren. He had an outstanding game, finishing with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and three steals. Holmgren was particularly effective from the 3-point line, making six of his eight attempts. He took full advantage of the Hawks’ short-handed lineup, which was missing key big man Kristaps Porzingis. Without a player of similar size to defend him, Holmgren was a consistent problem for Atlanta all night. “He does whatever it takes to win,” SGA said of his teammate. “We just have to continue to ignite him as teammates.”
💪 Strong Support from the Bench
The Thunder’s depth has been a major advantage early in the season, especially with Jalen Williams currently out. The bench players have stepped up, with Ajay Mitchell making a significant impact. The second-round pick from 2024 has scored 55 points in the first three games and contributed 14 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists against the Hawks. With players like Mitchell, Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso, and Aaron Wiggins all playing well, the team has a wealth of talent to rely on. “We have a team full of fighters and warriors,” said SGA. “We come to compete every night.”
🛡️ A Tough Night for the Hawks
For the Hawks, it was a challenging game from the start. They were missing three starters—Kristaps Porzingis, Jalen Johnson, and Zaccharie Risacher—which put a heavy burden on their star player, Trae Young. Facing multiple defenders throughout the game, Young found it difficult to get into a rhythm. This meant the much-anticipated point guard matchup between him and SGA never truly materialized, as Young was focused on navigating the Thunder’s tough defense while leading an understaffed team on the second night of back-to-back games.
