In the end, it’s still the Thunder who wins. The reigning champions also overcome the Dallas obstacle with a 101-94 away win which consolidates their perfect start (4-0). After a dominated first quarter (11-2 after four minutes, 28-24 at 12′), Oklahoma City maintained control for most of the game, never trailing in the score. Dallas tried to react with an effective Anthony Davis near the rim, but OKC still led 48-42 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren took command of the operations. Holmgren lit the spark with a fake three and a dunk on Cooper Flagg, while “SGA” scored from outside and served surgical assists. The Thunder reached +18 (87-69) and seemed to have closed the score with a reverse dunk by Isaiah Hartenstein. But Dallas reacted with a 15-0 run signed by Max Christie, Jaden Hardy, PJ Washington and Davis, returning to -4 with three minutes left. With OKC’s offense stalled, D’Angelo Russell cut it to within 1 with a floater. Hartenstein gave his team oxygen again with a basket at the rim, while Russell missed the triple to equalize.
Gilgeous-Alexander closed the score from the foul line, after five minutes of offensive blackout for the Thunder. Despite the final thrill, Mark Daigneault’s team brought home another victory, confirming their solidity and ability to suffer. The Thunder shot just 6/30 from three, but dominated offensive rebounding with Hartenstein. Cooper Flagg, No. 1 in the latest Draft, had a difficult evening: left shoulder injury in the first action and only 2 points with 1/9 shooting. OKC continues its winning streak and will now face the Kings, Wizards and Pelicans. Dallas, however, is stuck at just one win in four home games and will have to reverse course against Indiana before two treacherous away games (Detroit and Houston).
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