Thunder Fall to Hawks in Offensive Showdown

Following their thrilling victory in opposition to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder have been defeated by the Atlanta Hawks 137-132 on the Paycom Heart on Wednesday evening, dropping OKC’s file to 23-25.

The Thunder have been, as typical, led by fifth-year guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who completed the competition with 36 factors, seven assists, 5 rebounds, two steals and two blocks. For the Hawks, Norman native Trae Younger tallied 33 factors and 11 assists.

OKC and Atlanta went forwards and backwards in opening body. The Thunder have been capable of construct a 22-15 lead halfway by means of the primary quarter, however the Hawks shortly clawed again, slicing Oklahoma Metropolis’s result in two after an inside bucket from huge man John Collins. 

Moments later, French rookie Ousmane Dieng made his first NBA look since Dec. 5 after struggling a damaged wrist. The 2 squads continued to battle, and Atlanta finally took a 39-36 lead following a deep 3-pointer from Younger. 

On the subsequent possession, sharpshooter Isaiah Joe knocked down a triple kind the nook after falling down earlier in play. Joe’s game-tying shot kicked off a 7-0 OKC run that gave the Thunder a 43-39 lead heading into the second interval.

After a Dieng triple early within the second quarter, Oklahoma Metropolis’s lead was again to seven. As soon as once more, nonetheless, the Hawks discovered their method again into the sport. 

All-Star guard Dejounte Murray hit consecutive mid-range photographs to present Atlanta a 52-50 benefit. A number of possessions later, Joe, Younger and Aaron Wiggins nailed consecutive triples that will put OKC again up by one. 

Neither offense slowed within the ultimate minutes of the primary half, and after three consecutive “and-one” layups in addition to a technical free throw by Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder have been up 77-75 with three seconds remaining within the second quarter. With 0.1 seconds left on the clock, Younger was fouled, and would tie the sport at 77 heading into the break. 

At halftime, Oklahoma Metropolis’s star had a whopping 26 factors, going 9-of-11 from the sector and 7-of-7 from the charity stripe. 

Early within the third quarter, a layup from Murray put Atlanta forward, however OKC regained the lead behind a 7-1 run that included a Gilgeous-Alexander dunk in transition and a Lu Dort triple. As soon as once more, the Hawks fought again and tied the sport at 87. 

After buying and selling blows for a couple of moments, the Hawks went on a 10-2 run that gave Atlanta a 102-99 lead. Veteran huge man Mike Muscala tied the sport with a 3-pointer, however the Hawks continued to roll offensively, increase a 109-104 result in closeout the third interval.

Atlanta’s lead grew to fifteen early within the fourth quarter, and with Gilgeous-Alexander resting on the bench, the Thunder had no reply for the Hawks offensive flurry. Popping out of a Mark Daigneault timeout, a triple from Wiggins, two layups from Josh Giddey and a Jalen Williams transition dunk introduced Oklahoma Metropolis inside six, leading to an Atlanta timeout.  

The Hawks scored 5 fast factors popping out of the timeout, pushing their lead again to double digits. OKC launched into one other 7-0 run, bringing the Thunder again inside six with three minutes left within the recreation. 

Within the ultimate second, OKC trailed by seven, however after two fast buckets and a Jalen Williams steal and slam dunk, the Thunder have been inside one with simply 15 seconds left.

Oklahoma Metropolis, nonetheless, couldn’t full the comeback, falling 137-132.

The Thunder will return to motion at 7 P.M. CT on Friday in OKC in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

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