Key Takeaways:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tallied 39 points and has now scored at least 20 in 104 consecutive games
- Oklahoma City Thunder claimed a 140-129 win over the Atlanta Hawks, who suffered their seventh straight defeat
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the depleted Hawks with 30 points, in a game where both sides jointly attempted 86 three-pointers
Match Analysis
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered an outstanding performance with 39 points, guiding the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 140-129 win against the Atlanta Hawks at home. The Thunder, currently leading the NBA at 28-5, surged ahead with a commanding third quarter, capitalising on Atlanta’s undermanned roster and securing their latest victory on Monday night.
Player Performance Breakdown
Gilgeous-Alexander set the tone early by scoring Oklahoma City’s opening eight points. He finished the night hitting 15 of his 24 attempts from the field and converting all seven free throws, continuing his remarkable streak with at least 20 points in 104 straight games.
Chet Holmgren contributed significantly, posting 24 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks. Jalen Williams also impressed, narrowly missing a triple-double with his 20 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
Home work: handled ✔️ pic.twitter.com/0TPHS0Zwvl
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 30, 2025
For Atlanta, Nickeil Alexander-Walker stepped up by notching a team-high 30 points, while Onyeka Okongwu managed a double-double with 26 points and 14 rebounds. The Hawks were forced to field a short-handed line-up due to the absences of Trae Young (quad), Jalen Johnson (illness), and Kristaps Porzingis (illness).
Statistics Recap
| Team | Final Score | Top Scorer | 3P Made/Attempted | Points in the Paint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 140 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (39) | 12/32 (37.5%) | 70 |
| Atlanta Hawks | 129 | Nickeil Alexander-Walker (30) | 25/54 (46.3%) | 36 |
Key Moments and Game Flow
The Thunder and Hawks combined for 86 three-point attempts in a fast-paced contest. Atlanta connected on 25 of 54 shots from beyond the arc (46.3%), while Oklahoma City made 12 of 32 (37.5%). The Thunder dominated the paint with 70 points against Atlanta’s 36.
Gilgeous-Alexander was responsible for 15 of Oklahoma City’s 35 first-quarter points. His late three-point play in the opening quarter levelled the scores, but Nickeil Alexander-Walker responded with a dramatic 45-footer at the buzzer to hand the Hawks a 38-35 lead after one period.
The Hawks pushed ahead by ten after a 3-pointer from Luke Kennard, but the Thunder narrowed the deficit, with Holmgren bringing them as close as one point. Yet another buzzer-beater, this time from Dyson Daniels, gave Atlanta a 74-70 advantage at halftime.
Oklahoma City seized momentum early in the third quarter, orchestrating a 30-11 run to move up 100-85, with Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort sparking the surge. Atlanta rallied back to within three points via a three-point play by Kennard, but the hosts responded with seven unanswered points, securing a 113-103 cushion entering the final period.
The Hawks refused to give up, and a timely three-pointer from Zaccharie Risacher trimmed the OKC lead to 129-125 with just 4:36 remaining. However, the Thunder kept their composure down the stretch to secure the victory.
Upcoming Fixtures
- Atlanta Hawks will host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday
- Oklahoma City Thunder will face the Portland Trail Blazers at home on Wednesday
