ATLANTA — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showcased his scoring prowess with 31 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder asserted their upper hand over another Eastern Conference team, defeating the Atlanta Hawks 135-119 on Friday night.
Luguentz Dort was a standout for the Thunder, contributing 20 points and showcasing his long-range accuracy by converting 6 of his 11 attempts from beyond the arc. Jalen Williams matched Dort’s scoring effort with 20 points of his own, further bolstering Oklahoma City’s offensive efforts.
The Thunder, who have established a formidable record, especially against Eastern Conference opponents, improved to an impressive 21-1 in such matchups. Holding the best record in the Western Conference at 48-11, they have also proven their competitiveness against their conference peers with a 27-10 performance.
For Atlanta, the center position was a force to be reckoned with, as Onyeka Okongwu recorded a double-double, posting 23 points along with 13 rebounds. Caris LeVert made his presence felt on the court with 23 points, while Trae Young added 19 points coupled with 12 assists, though he struggled with his shooting, finding the mark on only 5 of 14 attempts.
Taking a close look at the game’s pivotal moments, after the Thunder secured a solid lead of 91-81, Gilgeous-Alexander took charge, guiding his team to dominant final minutes in the third period. This surge allowed the Thunder to extend their lead to 108-84 heading into the last quarter, putting the game firmly out of the Hawks’ reach.
A glance at the statistics reveals Oklahoma City’s proficiency from three-point range, as they drained 23 of their 50 attempts. They weren’t far off from their season’s highest of 27 three-pointers achieved in their commanding victory against New Orleans earlier in February.
Looking ahead, the Thunder are set to play against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, while the Atlanta Hawks will face the Memphis Grizzlies come Monday night.
