OKC Thunder: 3 takeaways as OKC let the Hawks soar

The OKC Thunder lose their second straight game, this time to the unstoppable Atlanta Hawks.

Yes, the Hawks even managed to limit Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. That was until he came out in the third quarter and put the team on his back, finishing with 19 points, four rebounds, and three assists.

Standout performances from SGA and Ty Jerome were the highlights of the game. Let’s take a look at some other key takeaways from the match.

OKC Thunder takeaway No. 1) Ty Jerome is a legit scorer

With every game, Ty Jerome continues to show improvements and his incredible scoring talent.

Against the Hawks, he recorded 18 points, two assists, a steal, and a rebound. This included making a remarkable six of eight goals from the three-point line.

Though the Thunder weren’t able to compete with the sublime shooting of the Hawks, Jerome provided.

Historically, the OKC Thunder isn’t known for their scoring ability, rather for their competitive edge and players with a high motor and athleticism.

However, Jerome is someone who has the potential to be a major contributor on the offensive end and can do it consistently. With OKC moving in a new direction, it couldn’t have come at a better time.

OKC Thunder takeaway No. 2) Atlanta one of the great stories of the season

Seven straight wins and the longest current win streak in the NBA. The Hawks are on fire and unfortunately, the Thunder couldn’t stop them.

As much as it’s not nice to see OKC go down, you can’t help but appreciate the great story the Hawks are putting together this season. They are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference after spending much of recent history near the bottom of the league.

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• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

They’ve worked gradually to grow their young squad and with great additions in the offseason are now reaping the rewards. It’s something that Thunder fans can resonate with now being in a rebuild, and looking forward to the future.

OKC Thunder takeaway No. 3) OKC Thunder slow start

Against the Hawks, the Thunder bench recorded 43 points as the Thunder starters put up 50 points. That’s not much of a difference and shows just how strong the bench effort was, specifically Jerome’s efforts.

But also how tough it was for OKC to challenge Atlanta from the outset. Had OKC been stronger in the first half, maybe the result would be different. During the game, the Hawks led by as many as 27 points. That’s a margin OKC don’t want to see again as they prepare for a back-to-back that includes two games on the road.