Thunder-Hawks: 4 takeaways as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stays hot to keep OKC unbeaten

ATLANTA — No double overtime, not many tense moments or subsequent buckets of sweat, and no problem against a Hawks’ team missing three starters. That summarized the night for the defending champions.

By comparison to its first two games of the season, which lasted a combined 12 periods, Saturday was breezy in so many ways for the Thunder, who remained unbeaten if not untested.

And while on the subject of positive consistency, there’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. His scorching start to 2025-26 expanded to a third game when once again he scored almost at will, despite whatever defense was thrown his way, first by the Rockets on opening night, then Pacers, now Hawks.

Therefore, the rollover from June for OKC keeps rolling. Here are the four takeaways from Saturday’s 117-100 win over Atlanta and OKC’s winning habit:

1. Shai continues his Kia MVP shine

He was historic last season when he took ownership of the NBA championship, regular season MVP, Finals MVP, first team All-NBA, All-Star starter, scoring title and pretty much everything else there was to conquer that wasn’t nailed down.

So how exactly does one top that trophy run? Well, a historic-like start is a start. Shai remains locked in a good-vibes groove, still getting to his sweet spots on the floor, dropping mid-ranger shots, posting big numbers and of course leading OKC to wins.

His 30 points in 29 minutes against the Hawks was more of the same and kept him on a ridiculous pace to 2025-26. He now has 120 points in 122 minutes on the early season, which is both exhausting and extremely efficient.

Most impressive is how he did this against a pair of solid defenders in Dyson Daniels, the reigning steals leader, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, his cousin who knows his moves and deception better than most. None of that mattered in the third quarter when Shai dropped 17 points and both teams essentially emptied the bench.

As for competing against his cousin, which he has for years, Shai deadpanned: “I don’t see relationships when I’m on the floor. I’ll give him a hug when the game is over.”

Shai attempted only four free throws for those who are counting, quite a drop from his combined 40 in the first two games. His scoring average sits at 40 points on 51% shooting, with five rebounds and five assists. And it was his 75th straight regular-season game with 20 or more points. That’s the fourth longest all time, after Wilt Chamberlain (who owns two) and Oscar Robertson.

Any time the name Wilt is mentioned and the topic is scoring, whoever else is in that same sentence is doing feats unseen by the last few generations.

OKC coach Mark Daigneault said Shai is “in character right now,” cited his improved playmaking and added: “It’s a testament to the work he puts in during the summer and how motivated he is to keep improving.”

On that last part — Shai insists he won’t become complacent form last season’s success.

“I’m not letting any opportunity go to waste,” he said. “Continue to evolve mentally as a basketball player as well. No matter what I try to go out and do the right basketball play.”

2. Chet heavy-handed against short-handed Hawks

Interestingly, Shai wasn’t the leading scorer on this night. It was Chet Holmgren, who took advantage of the 3-point line (he made 6-for-8) and also some key absences on the Hawks.

Without Kristaps Porzingis around to size him up and causes issues. Holmgren was too tall a task for anyone else. Mo Gueye was too inexperienced and Onyeka Okongwu a few inches too small.

Holmgren had 31 points on 8-for-12 shooting, added 12 rebounds with three steals, his best performance to date this season (yes, just three games, but still).

Said Shai: “He does whatever it takes to win. I’ve noticed he’s getting more comfortable. He has such a natural feel for the game. He started last season like this season, he just got hurt. We just have to continue to ignite him as teammates.”

Holmgren played only 32 games last season and this after missing his entire rookie season. He gradually improved during the playoffs, with big moments (and also bouts of inconsistency) in each round en route to the Finals.

He’s due to stay healthy, and if so, perhaps could receive All-Star notice in a few months.

3. OKC’s depth keeps compensating for Jalen Williams

The other ongoing plus for OKC is the work of the bench. In particular: Ajay Mitchell. He has 55 points through three games and looked strong in each. Against the Hawks — 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists.

A second-round pick in 2024, Mitchell is pressing for more playing time, quite a feat on an OKC team that perhaps features three bench players who could start for most teams. He’s averaging 18.6 points and shooting 41% from deep.

Whenever Williams returns, and there’s no timetable, OKC will once again have a pleasant problem — how to find deserved and ample time for Mitchell, Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso and Aaron Wiggins.

“We have a team full of fighters and warriors,” said Shai. “We come to compete every night. The tone-setting is across the board.”

4. Light night for Trae

Without Porzingis, Jalen Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher, Trae Young was handed a burden, especially on the second night of a back-to-back. So there wasn’t a delicious point-guard matchup after all against Shai; Young was busy fighting off multiple defenders all night.

And he had a mild 15-point, 10-assist night and never had the Hawks in contention.

The debate about whether Young can be a centerpiece on a contender continues, if only because he and the Hawks haven’t agreed on an extension. Usually in these cases, if a superstar is involved, the extension is merely a formality, as it was with Shai and others.

He remains one of the league’s most gifted offensive players, capable of finishing among the league leaders in scoring and assists. And the Hawks surrounded him with better defensive help, with Daniels last year, Alexander-Walker this summer.