Defense was optional in Wednesday’s game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks ultimately pulled out the road win as they defeated the Thunder, 137-132.
It was a matchup headlined by star guards drafted in 2018. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 36 points on 13-of-22 shooting and Trae Young finished with 33 points and 11 assists.
The Hawks finished with four other players scoring at least 10 points.
Besides Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams also had another great night in the paint and finished with 24 points on 11-of-16 shooting.
Let’s take a look at some of the best photos from the Thunder’s five-point loss to the Hawks.
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) celebrates after dunking against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault talks with forward Jalen Williams (8) during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball against Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) during the first half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (3) reacts after an officials call following a play against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kenrich Williams (34) during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) reacts after a play against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (13) defends a shot by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots as Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (13) defends during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (3) and Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) fight for a loose ball during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (3) dribbles the ball around Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (5) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (3) reach for a loose ball during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (3) drives to the basket as Atlanta Hawks forward AJ Griffin (14) defends during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball down the court against Atlanta Hawks guard Aaron Holiday (3) during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) celebrates after dunking against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (3) goes to the basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) dribbles the ball against Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (15) during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) reacts after a basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the first half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) defends Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (20) during the first half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball against Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) during the first half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic’s shoes during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (3) shoes during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) talks with forward AJ Griffin (14) during a timeout against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) gestures to his team during a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Nate McMillan talks with his team before the start the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
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