Oklahoma City’s 'Big Three' of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren combined for 83 points as the champion Thunder added more woes to the free-falling Atlanta Hawks.
Oklahoma City’s “Big Three” of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren combined for 83 points, carrying the Thunder to a gutsy 140-129 comeback win over the slumping Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, December 30 (PH time).
SGA led the charge with 39 points, marking his league-leading 24th 30-point game of the season, on top of six rebounds and five assists
Holmgren added 24, while Williams stuffed the stat sheet with 20 points, nine boards, and seven dimes.
Trailing 48-58 in the first half, OKC flipped the switch in the third quarter, erupting for 43 points to take a 113-103 lead into the final frame.
Atlanta threatened late after a Nickeil Alexander-Walker trey cut the deficit to 132-128, but Holmgren and Cason Wallace delivered back-to-back dagger threes to seal the victory.
The win marked back-to-back triumphs for the Thunder, who had previously struggled, going just 4-4 in their last eight games.
With the victory, OKC improved to 28-5, enjoying a 3.5-game lead over the Detroit Pistons (24-8) for the league’s best overall record.
For the Hawks, Alexander-Walker led the way with 30 points, and Onyeka Okongwu recorded a 26-point, 14-rebound double-double, but their efforts were in vain.
The loss extended Atlanta’s skid to seven straight, dropping them to 15-19.
Looking ahead, OKC will kick off 2026 against the Portland Trail Blazers (13-19), while Atlanta hopes to finally snap their losing streak when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves (21-12).
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.