At an exhilarating Sunday Night battle between Oklahoma City Thunder and Atlanta Hawks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made history with an outstanding performance that propelled their Oklahoma City victory 128-104. Both sides entered with unblemished records but it was the Thunder that emerged victorious to show their dominance on court.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s Stellar Performance
Gilgeous-Alexander played an essential part in his team’s victory, amassing 35 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists en route to an impressive double-triple performance – scoring 35 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists while Chet Holmgren contributed 25 points, nine rebounds and six blocks while Jalen Williams contributed 20 points and 9 rebounds as part of their combined total for Oklahoma City Thunder.
Decisive Moments in the Fourth Quarter
The match’s momentum shifted significantly in the fourth quarter when the Thunder outplayed the Hawks, scoring 39-18. Oklahoma City’s impressive shooting, making 14 out of 23 field goals, overpowered the Hawks’ attempt to keep up.
Trae Young of the Hawks managed 24 points and eight assists but was limited in his shooting opportunities by the strong defense of the Thunder. Zaccharie Risacher, a notable player for the Hawks, scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds.
The Thunder’s Remarkable Comeback
Despite trailing by 8 points towards the end of the first half, the Thunder displayed resilience. They closed the gap to just one point at 58-57 by halftime, thanks to a seven-point spree capped by a decisive buzzer-beating putback from Williams.
Thunder Take Control
The fourth quarter saw the Thunder take the lead with a 13-0 run, highlighted by Gilgeous-Alexander’s six points during this stretch. This pivotal phase of the game saw the Thunder effectively halt the Hawks’ offense, securing their lead and cementing their victory.
Dominance Inside the Arc
The Thunder’s strategy of targeting inside shots proved fruitful, making 28 out of 49 attempts and connecting on 28 of those close-range attempts. Their proficiency at close-range shooting eventually opened up their three-point game further displaying their versatility and strength on offense.
As NBA season continues to unfold, exciting matches between Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards and Oklahoma Thunder and San Antonio Spurs await us all!