<body><div><p>Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wrapped up a stunning 35-point performance with perhaps his sweetest move of the night, negotiating with opposing forward Larry Nance Jr. to ensure that rookie Alex Reese received Sunday's game ball.</p><p>Reese had checked into a regular-season game for the first time minutes earlier to see out Oklahoma City's 24-point drubbing of Atlanta, where opened his NBA account by putting back an offensive rebound. The former Alabama star, who had once quit basketball three years earlier and worked as a bartender, was visibly appreciative of his team's gesture after the game, taking the game ball with him to the post-game press podium and reflecting on his first points. </p><p>"It's a dream come true, obviously, I never thought I would be here," Reese said. "...It was awesome. Very appreciate and grateful to be here." Fellow Thunder rookie Ajay Mitchell, who scored his first points in the Thunder's decisive win over Chicago Saturday evening, also discussed his NBA breakthrough. "I actually thought I missed my layup, my first shot, when I went in so I was really excited," Mitchell recalled. "For me it's a big moment, but it's just a big game so I've got to keep working."</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Don't worry y'all, SGA made sure to get the game ball for Alex Reese ?<a href="https://twitter.com/okcthunder?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@okcthunder</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThunderUp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThunderUp</a><a href="https://t.co/JLjtGFkLjQ">pic.twitter.com/JLjtGFkLjQ</a></p>— Thunder on FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma (@FDSN_Thunder) <a href="https://twitter.com/FDSN_Thunder/status/1850713444313628790?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2024</a><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote><p>While Reese walked away with the game ball, Gilgeous-Alexander certainly turned in the standout performance from Sunday's game, finishing at a 61 percent true shooting clip while stuffing the stat sheet with 11 rebounds, nine assists, three steals and three blocks. The Thunder initially had some trouble with Atlanta in a battle of unbeaten at the Paycom Center, allowing the Hawks to take a 92-91 lead early in the fourth quarter, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored or assisted eight points in an immediate 12-0 response that put the game to bed.</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=05j5Lf_0wPZEugj00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=05j5Lf_0wPZEugj00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>Gilgeous-Alexander finished with a game-high 35 points Sunday afternoon (Photo: Alonzo Adams, USA TODAY Sports)</figcaption></figure><p>The Thunder are a perfect 3-0 to start the 2024-25 season, with each victory coming by double digits as Oklahoma City currently boasts the league's third-best efficiency rating, as they look to build off a Western Conference Semifinals appearance last year. Still, Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunders roster has tuned out conversations about the team's hot start, with their star guard noting, "We don't care. When we sucked, they talked about us sucking, we don't care... Just focused on us getting better every day."</p><p>Oklahoma will enjoy a brief rest after playing on back-to-back days, returning to their court Wednesday evening to face the San Antonio Spurs. The action is slated to tip off at 9 p.m ET and will air on ESPN.</p></div></body>

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander secures game ball for Thunder rookie who scored first NBA points

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wrapped up a stunning 35-point performance with perhaps his sweetest move of the night, negotiating with opposing forward Larry Nance Jr. to ensure that rookie Alex Reese received Sunday's game ball. Reese had checked into a regular-season game for the first time minutes earlier...

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander secures game ball for Thunder rookie who scored first NBA points

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