Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasted no time asserting his dominance Saturday night, scoring 16 of his 31 points in the first quarter to fuel the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 119-109 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Teammate Jalen Williams added a dynamic 27 points, as the Thunder claimed their seventh win in eight games, continuing their impressive early-season surge.
Oklahoma City set the tone early, dominating New Orleans in the paint and transition. By halftime, the Thunder had surged to a commanding 77-51 lead, shooting an extraordinary 67.4% from the field, including 19 layups. The offensive precision coupled with relentless defensive pressure left the Pelicans scrambling to keep pace.
Dejounte Murray’s 26 points and Herb Jones’ 24 were bright spots for New Orleans, but the team’s sloppy play proved costly. The Pelicans committed 18 turnovers, six of which came in the first six minutes, allowing Oklahoma City to jump out to an early 20-5 lead. Despite a late rally, the Pelicans fell short, dropping their 16th game in the last 18 outings.
The Thunder’s defensive intensity once again shone through. Entering the game leading the NBA with 12.1 steals per game, Oklahoma City tallied 13 against New Orleans, forcing the Pelicans into mistakes that fueled their transition attack. This ability to turn defense into offense continues to be a hallmark of OKC’s success.
Gilgeous-Alexander was unstoppable in the opening frame, slicing through New Orleans’ defense with six layups and a three-pointer as part of a 16-point outburst. His 11th game this season with 30 or more points exemplified his status as one of the league’s elite offensive talents. The Thunder cruised to a 35-23 lead after the first quarter and never looked back.
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Jalen’s Performance
Jalen Williams complemented Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance with a strong scoring night of his own, consistently punishing the Pelicans in transition and half-court sets. Williams’ efficiency and athleticism were pivotal as OKC maintained its grip on the game despite a late push from New Orleans.
New Orleans endured more misfortune when leading scorer Brandon Ingram, who had recently returned from a right foot injury, exited the game just 17 seconds into the third quarter. Ingram landed awkwardly on Lu Dort’s foot, twisting his left ankle, and did not return. He finished with just five points, further hampering the Pelicans’ hopes of mounting a comeback.
While the Pelicans showed signs of life in the third quarter, outscoring the Thunder 29-22 to trim the deficit, their efforts were too little too late. They managed to pull within nine points at 114-105 with 3:31 remaining, but Oklahoma City responded with a decisive 5-0 run to seal the victory.
The Thunder’s dominance in the paint was staggering, outscoring New Orleans 40-18 down low. OKC’s relentless attack, combined with their ability to capitalize on turnovers, left the Pelicans unable to recover from the early hole they dug.
Looking ahead, Oklahoma City will host Dallas on Tuesday night in the first round of the knockout stage of the NBA Emirates Cup, an opportunity to showcase their momentum on a bigger stage. Meanwhile, the Pelicans face the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, hoping to rebound after yet another setback.
Saturday’s performance highlighted the Thunder’s dynamic combination of youth, talent, and defensive intensity. With Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way and Williams emerging as a reliable secondary scorer, Oklahoma City continues to look like a team ready to make noise in the Western Conference.
