NBA – The Oklahoma City Thunder above the rest, Stephen Curry (Golden State Wariors) injured

Oklahoma City continues its flawless performance. Already first in the West last year, the Thunder are still favorites in their Conference and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates display a level of play worthy of their status. They achieved a third consecutive success by beating Atlanta (128-104) under the leadership of their three (young) major players. SGA therefore scored 35 points, but also added 11 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 interceptions and 3 blocks. He is the MVP of this first week in the NBA.

An honorary title to which his comrade Chet Holmgren, author of 25 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 blocks, could also claim! Jalen Williams, the last member of the trio, scored 20 points with 9 rebounds and 5 assists. The Thunder have this ability to suffocate their opponents when the situation requires it and that is exactly what Mark Daigneault’s players did in the fourth quarter, won 39 to 18 after a rather close match up to that point.

Trae Young scored 24 points but only took 14 shots, particularly under pressure from Oklahoma City stoppers. Atlanta converted only 39% of its attempts.

The Clippers are holding up well without Kawhi Leonard. The Californian team has won two of its first three matches, notably winning against the previously undefeated Warriors last night (104-112). This good first week can be explained in particular by the XXL performances of pivot Ivica Zubac. The Croatian is dominant in the paint, for example with 22 points, 18 rebounds and even 6 assists against Golden State. He averages 22 units and 14 rebounds since the start of the season.

James Harden also stood out by compiling 23 points, 7 rebounds and 11 assists. Norman Powell scored 20 points. This trio had already led Los Angeles to victory against Phoenix. They did it again against the Warriors, a team which played without Stephen Curry in the final minutes. The superstar injured his ankle during the third quarter.

The start of the season without Joel Embiid and without Paul George is complicated for Philadelphia, a team that is aiming for the heights in the East. The Pennsylvania franchise lost its first two matches and it would undoubtedly have suffered a third defeat in a row if Tyrese Maxey had not pulled out all the stops against the Pacers on Sunday evening. The Sixers won at Indiana after overtime (114-118) with 45 points from their young star. Maxey notably scored 10 of his team’s 13 points in the five extra minutes to secure the victory for his team.

The Bucks opened the season with a convincing victory against the Sixers… all only to lose against the Bulls and the Nets, two teams who will have difficulty fighting for the top-10 in the East this season. Milwaukee therefore lost against Brooklyn last night (115-102) while still showing very questionable defense. Dominated in each quarter, Doc Rivers’ men notably conceded 67 points in the second half.

This is Jordi Fernandez’s first victory on the bench of the New York franchise. Cam Thomas and Dennis Schröder led the way by scoring 32 and 29 points, respectively.

After two first matches played as a substitute, Zaccharie Risacher was lined up in the Hawks’ major five on Sunday. His team lost quite badly against the Thunder but the first choice of the draft showed his advantage by compiling 13 points and 6 rebounds in 27 minutes. Opposite, his compatriot Ousmane Dieng scored 5 points for Oklahoma City. 5 points also for Nicolas Batum with the Clippers. Rayan Rupert only played 4 minutes with Portland and Guerschon Yabusele did not score (6 rebounds, 4 assists) in 17 minutes with Philadelphia.

Pacers – Sixers : 114-118
Nets – Bucks : 115-102
Trail Blazers – Pelicans : 125-103
Thunder – Hawks : 128-104
Warriors – Clippers : 104-112