Thunder Overpower Hawks with Dominant Win in Atlanta

ATLANTA, GA (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their impressive run in the Eastern Conference, defeating the Atlanta Hawks 135-119 on Friday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 31 points, while teammates Luguentz Dort and Jalen Williams each added 20 points.

The Thunder (48-11), who hold the best record in the Western Conference, never trailed in the game. Their victory marked their 21st win in 22 contests against Eastern Conference teams this season. Oklahoma City showcased their shooting prowess, connecting on 46% of their three-point attempts, hitting 23 out of 50 shots from beyond the arc.

Dort’s accuracy from long range was particularly notable, as he registered six three-pointers from 11 attempts. “We just played our game and remained aggressive,” Dort said after the game. “We know what works for us, and tonight we executed it well.”

Atlanta struggled to keep pace early, trailing by as many as 20 points in the first half. Despite a commendable 14-0 run that trimmed the deficit to 71-64 at halftime, the Hawks could not maintain the momentum. Trae Young finished with 23 points and 12 assists but hit only 5 of 14 from the field.

“We had a tough start, but I was proud of our guys for fighting back,” said Hawks head coach Quin Snyder. “Every time we made a run, they responded. That’s the mark of a great team.”

Key moments came late in the third quarter when the Thunder expanded on their lead from 91-81 to 108-84, effectively sealing the game. The Hawks could not recover as the Thunder showcased their depth and defensive abilities in the final stretch.

On the injury front, Thunder forward Kenrich Williams, who had a right calf contusion, played only 15 minutes and contributed seven points before exiting the game midway through the third quarter due to discomfort. Additionally, Thunder’s guard Isaiah Joe, who had scored 12 points in 11 minutes, was ruled out in the third due to lower back soreness.

Next up for Oklahoma City is a matchup against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, while the Hawks will look to rebound in Memphis on Monday night.

“We have to move on and focus on the next game,” Young stated. “We can’t dwell on this loss. We need to keep pushing.”