Picture this: a stunning blowout that left fans reeling! The Atlanta Hawks took on last season's NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and despite being short-handed with three key starters sidelined, they were handed a decisive defeat. But here's where it gets intriguing—could this loss reveal hidden strengths in the Hawks' resilience, or is it a red flag for their early-season struggles? Let's dive into the details of this matchup and unpack what really went down.
On the night of October 26, 2025, the Hawks faced the mighty Thunder, coming off a victory just the previous day despite missing two starters. Unfortunately, tonight's game didn't mirror that success. The final score? A lopsided 99-80 in favor of OKC. And to add to the drama, check out this post-game snapshot from the Hawks' official Twitter account: Final tonight pic.twitter.com/Ii4NmTkGYn — Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 26, 2025.
Early in the season, Atlanta has been plagued by injuries, but they've shown flashes of potential that keep hope alive. Tonight, with starters Jalen Johnson, Kristaps Porzingis, and Zaccharie Risacher out due to ankle sprains and flu-like symptoms, reserve players got extended run. In those moments sharing the court with the remaining starters, the team displayed some chemistry, highlighting what might unfold if they can stay fit and build more practice time together. A key highlight was their ball movement—the Hawks racked up 16 assists in the first half alone, totaling 25 for the game, which helped spread out defenders and create open shots. For beginners wondering, assists are like passes that directly lead to a teammate's basket, showcasing team play over individual heroics.
Yet, defensively, the Hawks have been a work in progress since the season kicked off. They've allowed too many three-point attempts and second-chance opportunities, often from failing to contest shooters properly or turning over the ball carelessly. In this game, the Thunder capitalized, shooting 46% from the field, 38% from three-point range, and a blistering 90% from the free-throw line. OKC also piled on 30 second-chance points and 29 points off turnovers—imagine how many easy baskets come from those mistakes! Chet Holmgren was a thorn in their side, dropping 14 of his 31 points in the first half, including four made threes out of six attempts. And this is the part most people miss: Holmgren's rise symbolizes how young talent can dominate when defenses struggle to adapt.
Not everything was doom and gloom for Atlanta, though. Onyeka Okongwu emerged as a beacon of hope, delivering a standout performance that reminded fans why he's been a consistent force for this youthful squad. He grabbed his first double-double of the season— for those new to basketball, that's achieving double digits in two statistical categories, like points and rebounds—finishing with 11 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block. Filling in for the injured Porzingis as the starting center in consecutive games, Okongwu even slammed home one of Atlanta's two poster dunks, so spectacular that it made the arena usher double-take. You can see the reaction in this tweet: 😂 Made the usher go 🫨🫨 https://t.co/c9pYQV4MuE pic.twitter.com/GWNcwhn1gj — Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 25, 2025.
Another bright spot? Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the free-agent pickup who's been one of the Hawks' most reliable contributors so far. He's been their go-to for scoring and defense, which is exactly why Atlanta brought him aboard. In this game, NAW scored 17 points, added three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block, all while shooting efficiently at 60% from the field, 100% from the line, and 50% from three. Filling in for the absent Risacher, he's stepped up, averaging 15.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks over his first three games. Fantasy basketball enthusiasts, take note: his expanded role due to injuries could keep him on radars, as he's outperforming his past seasons. As one analyst tweeted: Nickeil Alexander-Walker first 3 games 15.3 PPG 2.7 RPG 3.3 APG 1.3 SPG 0.7 BPG 29.7 MPG Benefiting with injuries in Atlanta, specifically Risacher’s absence. He has to be on fantasy radars, and it’s worth noting that he’s scaling up and scoring unlike past NAW versions. — Fantasy 365 (@FantasyBall365) October 26, 2025.
Even Trae Young, despite not posting huge stats, played with efficiency in his 30 minutes, earning his first double-double of the year with 15 points, four rebounds, and 10 assists. But here's where it gets controversial—Young's five turnovers, stemming from sloppy passes and a casual attitude on the ball, raise eyebrows. Is this a minor hiccup or a sign that the team's leader needs to sharpen his fundamentals? Critics might argue it's just early-season rust, but others could see it as a coaching opportunity to instill better discipline. Check out this cool moment: Trae stop & pop three 🧊 pic.twitter.com/8L2snYuohg — Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 26, 2025.
With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading all scorers at 30 points and Alexander-Walker pacing Atlanta at 17, the game ended at 99-80 for the Thunder by the third quarter. As the Thunder celebrated their grit—Getting gritty 😤 pic.twitter.com/8TepFxibot — OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) October 26, 2025—the Hawks learned valuable lessons from their shortcomings.
In wrapping up, this loss underscores the Hawks' vulnerability when injuries strike, but it also spotlights emerging talents like Okongwu and Alexander-Walker. Do you agree that relying on young players like Holmgren could redefine NBA dynamics, or should teams prioritize veteran stability? And what about Young's turnovers—fixable flaw or deeper issue? Share your thoughts in the comments: Are the Hawks poised for a comeback, or do these blowouts signal a rebuild? Let's discuss and see if this setback turns into a stepping stone!
