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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander falls just an assist short of a triple-double as the Thunder crush the turnover-plagued Hawks to stay unbeaten
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 35 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists to help the host Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Atlanta Hawks, 128-104, on Sunday, October 27 (Monday, October 28, Manila time).
Chet Holmgren added 25 points and 9 rebounds, and Jalen Williams scored 20 to lift the Thunder to 3-0 for the first time since 2016.
The Hawks led 92-91 with 10:31 left in the fourth quarter, but Oklahoma City then seized control. Alex Caruso’s floater allowed the Thunder to retake the lead and it ignited a 13-0 run.
The stretch was fueled by the Thunder’s defense, which held Atlanta scoreless for more than four minutes.
Trae Young led the Hawks with 24 points but had 10 turnovers — 3 in the fourth quarter.
The Thunder outscored Atlanta 39-18 in the final frame. Oklahoma City scored 28 points on the Hawks’ 20 turnovers and finished with 13 steals and 12 blocks.
After attempting just eight free throws in the first two games of the season, Gilgeous-Alexander was 10-for-11 at the line against the Hawks as the Thunder attempted 32 free throws — as many as they had combined in wins over Denver and Chicago.
The Thunder also shot a season-high 49.4%, going 14-of-23 from the field (60.9%) in the fourth.
The Hawks were without De’Andre Hunter, who missed the first night of the back-to-back set due to right knee inflammation, while Bogdan Bogdanovic missed his second consecutive game with a right hamstring injury.
Atlanta led by 10 points late in the second quarter before the Thunder surged, finishing the half on an 11-2 run to cut the deficit to 58-58 by the break.
Gilgeous-Alexander had 14 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds in the first half, and Holmgren added 13 points for the Thunder. Young scored 15 points before halftime. – Rappler.com
