The defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder continue to look like a team already in midseason form. Chet Holmgren poured in 31 points and 12 rebounds, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 30, and Oklahoma City rolled past the short-handed Atlanta Hawks 117-100 on Saturday night to move to 3-0 on the young season.

After two straight double-overtime thrillers, this one was far more controlled. “I thought we drummed it up pretty good,” head coach Mark Daigneault said. “The energy throughout the night was good. Coming off those last two games and being banged up, I thought our energy tonight was really encouraging.”

Holmgren’s Big Night, Defensive Impact

Holmgren dominated both ends, going 6-of-8 from beyond the arc and anchoring a defense that held Atlanta to just 40 percent shooting on two-point attempts. “The bigs were particularly impactful around the basket,” Daigneault said. “We got great minutes from JWill, and Chet and Hart were really, really good in their minutes together.”

The Thunder also controlled the hustle stats loose balls, second-chance points, and transition defense all tilted in their favor.

SGA in Complete Control

Gilgeous-Alexander, fresh off his 55-point performance in Indiana, was nearly perfect inside the arc, hitting 10 of 11 attempts. Even while managing a minor back issue, the reigning MVP once again dictated the flow of the game.

“He’s always got that competitiveness,” Daigneault said. “He was disappointed in how he played offensively against Indiana, and he came out tonight teeing up those shots and finding a great rhythm.”

Daigneault added that SGA’s growth goes beyond scoring. “The loud part is the scoring, but what stands out is how he’s manipulating the game as a playmaker the reads and passes he’s making against different coverages.”

AJay Mitchell Continues to Shine

AJay Mitchell finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, plus two steals and a pair of three-pointers. Despite having just 39 NBA games under his belt, Mitchell plays like a seasoned veteran. A true luxury to have for OKC as he continues to showcase his abilities when the Thunder need it most.

Cason Wallace’s Hustle Defines the Edge

Rookie guard Cason Wallace once again made a statement with his defensive effort, highlighted by a chase-down steal in the third quarter that denied an easy Atlanta bucket. “He’s got unbelievable hands and toughness,” Daigneault said. “He’s that guy at the bottom of the pile who’s gonna come up with the fumble.”

Champion’s Mentality Remains Unchanged

Even as the defending champs, Daigneault said the message hasn’t changed. “We embrace the competitive challenges,” he said. “We want the best out of our opponents that’s how you get better.”

With a 3-0 start and a balanced mix of stars and emerging young talent, the Thunder look every bit like a team ready to defend their crown and maybe raise another banner when it’s all said and done.