By PAUL NEWBERRY Associated Press
ATLANTA (AP) — Chet Holmgren scored 31 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 30, and the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder pulled away in the second half for a 117-100 victory over the short-handed Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night.
The Thunder improved to 3-0 on the season, getting off to another quick start after winning seven straight at the start a year ago on the way to a title.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s MVP last season, had another big night coming off a career-best 55-point performance in a 141-135 victory at Indiana on Thursday night.
Holmgren was 6 of 8 from beyond the 3-point stripe and grabbed 12 rebounds. Gilgeous-Alexander was nearly perfect on shots inside the arc, making 10 of 11.
After going to double-overtime to win its first two games, the Thunder didn’t need any extra time to finish off an Atlanta squad that was missing three starters.
Kristaps Porzingis (flu-like symptoms) and Zaccharie Risacher (right ankle sprain) each missed their second straight game. They were joined on the bench by Jalen Johnson, who sprained his right ankle in a victory at Orlando the previous night.
The game was tight through most of the first half, though Oklahoma City never trailed. The Thunder began to pull away from a 60-55 halftime lead by scoring the first eight points of the third quarter.
Gilgeous-Alexander knocked down a pull-up jumper and converted a three-point play before Holmgren connected from long range.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Hawks with 17 points. Atlanta has lost its first two home games of the season by a combined 37 points, sandwiched around the road victory over the Magic.
Oklahoma City point guard Cason Wallace got a chance to go against his older brother, Keaton, a backup guard for the Hawks. Cason was held to three points, while Keaton Wallace managed five.
Up Next
The Thunder wrap up a three-game road trip when they face the Dallas Mavericks on Monday.
