Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 39 points (20 in the paint), and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Atlanta Hawks 140-129.
Jalen Williams’ driving layup put the Thunder ahead for good with 10:36 left in the third quarter.
During clutch time, the Thunder outscored the Hawks 6-0.
Chet Holmgren had 24 points (14 in the paint) and 10 rebounds, and Jalen Williams added 20 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. The Thunder had 3 20-point scorers.
For the Hawks, Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 30 points with 6 3-pointers, and Onyeka Okongwu added 26 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists.
The Thunder went 22 for 23 at the line to the Hawks’ 12 for 17 and outscored them 70-36 in the paint. The Hawks made 25 3-pointers, 6 of them by Alexander-Walker and 4 by Vít Krejčí. The Hawks’ starters were outscored 57-39 in 16 minutes together.