Chet Holmgren overcame back soreness that almost kept him out to produce a double-double and help the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder remain unbeaten with a 117-100 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.
Holmgren was listed as questionable on the pregame injury report and spent time rubbing his back during dead-ball situations. But he played through discomfort to score a season-high 31 points and grab 12 rebounds. He was 8-for-12 shooting from the floor (6-for-8 on 3-pointers) with 12 rebounds.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 17 of his 30 points in the third quarter to help the Thunder outscore Atlanta 39-25 and break the game open. He was 12-for-17 from the field and produced his third straight game of 30-plus points. Isaiah Hartenstein added a season-high 14 points along with 10 rebounds for his first double-double and reserve Ajay Mitchell scored 14.
The Thunder have won three straight against the Hawks. Their final meeting will be Dec. 29 at Oklahoma City.
The Hawks were missing three starters in the second leg of their back-to-back: Kristaps Porzingis (flu-like symptoms), Zaccharie Risacher (right ankle sprain) and Jalen Johnson (right ankle sprain).
Atlanta’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the team with 17 points. Trae Young scored 15 points and had 10 assists, his league-best 22nd straight game with at least 15 points and five assists. Two other Hawks had double-doubles – rookie Asa Newell with 12 points and 10 rebounds and Onyeka Okongwu with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Holmgren was 4-for-4 on 3-pointers in the first quarter and scored 14 points to help the Thunder take a 31-26 lead. Oklahoma City led by 11 in the second quarter (40-29) but Atlanta got as close as one point on a Young floater with 1:31 left. The Thunder led 60-55 at halftime.
The Thunder complete their three-game road trip on Monday at Dallas. The Hawks begin a four-game road trip on Monday at Chicago.
