Oklahoma City Thunder vs Atlanta Hawks

The Oklahoma City Thunder will take on the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The matchup comes early in the new NBA season, as both teams look to establish rhythm and assert themselves in their respective conferences. The Thunder enter the game with high expectations after a strong start, while the Hawks hope to make a statement in front of their home crowd after a mixed preseason showing. The arena is expected to be packed, with fans eager to see how both young, fast-paced squads perform under pressure.

Injuries will play a significant role in how both teams approach this contest. Oklahoma City will be without Alex Caruso, who remains in concussion protocol, and Jalen Williams, who is still recovering from wrist surgery. Isaiah Joe, Kenrich Williams, Nikola Topic, and Thomas Sorber are also sidelined. Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace are both listed as questionable, with Holmgren dealing with back soreness and Wallace nursing a minor knee issue. Atlanta faces its own challenges, as rookie Zaccharie Risacher is unavailable due to a right ankle sprain, and both Kristaps Porziņģis and Jalen Johnson are questionable with illness and ankle problems respectively. These absences force both coaches to lean on their bench depth earlier than planned.

Coach Mark Daigneault of the Thunder is expected to maintain his defensive-oriented system while relying on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to lead offensively. With several key rotation players missing, Daigneault’s approach will likely emphasize controlled possessions, smart shot selection, and strong perimeter defense to compensate for size disadvantages inside. For Atlanta, coach Quin Snyder has been pushing for faster transitions and increased ball movement, particularly through Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. The Atlanta Hawks aim to exploit Oklahoma City’s depleted rotation by attacking early in the shot clock and creating mismatches on the wings.

The press leading up to the game has focused heavily on the Thunder’s resilience despite injuries and their continued evolution into one of the Western Conference’s most tactically disciplined teams. Many pregame reports note that the Thunder’s depth, especially in their guard rotation, will be tested against Atlanta’s offensive firepower. The Hawks, on the other hand, are viewed as a team searching for early consistency, with journalists pointing out their need to protect the paint and keep Gilgeous-Alexander from dominating the tempo. Despite Oklahoma City entering as the slight favorite, much of the commentary highlights Atlanta’s home advantage and potential to surprise if their defensive intensity improves.

In the studio discussions before tip-off, analysts are emphasizing three main storylines. First, how the Thunder’s short rotation will affect their endurance, especially if Holmgren and Wallace are ruled out. Second, the Hawks’ ability to use their athleticism and home crowd energy to force turnovers and run in transition. Third, the individual matchup between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Trae Young, which is being touted as the defining battle of the night. Analysts agree that if Oklahoma City can control pace and keep Atlanta from getting comfortable in transition, they have the tools to win. However, if the Hawks can capitalize on their depth and out-rebound the Thunder, they could turn this into a statement victory at home.