The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their strong start to the season with a 106-88 victory over the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.
Behind a dominant performance from Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder overcame a slow start and pulled away in the second half to secure their second consecutive win without Chet Holmgren, who is sidelined with a pelvic fracture.
Williams, who has emerged as a key piece for Oklahoma City this season, led the way with 31 points, shooting 10-for-18 from the field and 4-for-7 from beyond the arc. He also contributed seven assists, showcasing his all-around game. Gilgeous-Alexander added 29 points, finishing 12-for-25 from the floor, as the Thunder shot 15-for-39 from 3-point range, stretching New Orleans’ defense and creating scoring opportunities across the board.
Lou Dort provided support with 11 points, while Aaron Wiggins added 10, contributing to the balanced scoring attack from Oklahoma City. The Thunder, who are now 10-2 on the season, made a statement with their depth and ability to adapt in the absence of Holmgren, who has been one of the league’s most efficient scorers and shot blockers before his injury. Despite the loss of their 7-foot-1 center, the Thunder have found a way to keep rolling.
The game turned decisively in Oklahoma City’s favor during a dominant third-quarter run. After a tightly contested first half that ended with a 59-59 tie, the Thunder exploded with a 16-0 run to take control of the game. That stretch gave them a comfortable 75-59 lead, and they never looked back. The Pelicans struggled to find offensive rhythm after that, unable to match the Thunder’s scoring pace in the second half.
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For New Orleans, Brandon Ingram led the way with 18 points, while Trey Murphy added 14 points. Yves Missi also had a solid performance with 10 points and 10 rebounds, but the Pelicans were hurt by turnovers and the absence of several key players. New Orleans was missing five players due to injury, including star forward Zion Williamson, as well as guards Jose Alvarado, Herb Jones, CJ McCollum, and Dejounte Murray. The lack of depth was evident as the Pelicans had 24 turnovers, which contributed to their inability to mount a sustained challenge in the second half.
Despite a significant 58-31 advantage on the boards, the Pelicans’ offensive struggles, particularly with turnovers, prevented them from capitalizing on their rebounding dominance. Oklahoma City, in contrast, was efficient and took care of the basketball, committing just seven turnovers in the game—far fewer than their 11 turnovers in the win over the Clippers on Monday. The Thunder’s ability to limit turnovers has been a key part of their recent success, and it was again on display against the Pelicans.
The game started with the Pelicans jumping out to an early 16-6 lead, but the Thunder responded with a 24-8 run to close out the first quarter, taking a 33-28 lead. Gilgeous-Alexander contributed nine points in the opening frame, and Kenrich Williams, coming off the bench, added five points, including a crucial 3-pointer, to help swing the momentum in Oklahoma City’s favor. The Thunder’s ability to stay composed early despite the deficit showed their resilience and poise, especially with Holmgren’s absence.
The Pelicans’ injury woes have piled up this season, and without their key players, they are struggling to maintain consistency. New Orleans’ offense lacked the punch it needed, and their defensive effort, while strong in some stretches, couldn’t overcome the turnovers and missed opportunities. With Zion Williamson out, the Pelicans have been searching for someone to fill the offensive void, and Ingram has done his best, but the team as a whole couldn’t get in sync on Wednesday.
For the Thunder, the victory was another example of their depth and adaptability. Playing without Holmgren, Oklahoma City leaned into a guard-heavy lineup for the second straight game, and the results were encouraging. With Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge, and the supporting cast chipping in, the Thunder showed they can compete with anyone in the West. Their shooting from distance, coupled with a steady defense, has been a recipe for success.
Looking ahead, the Thunder will host the Phoenix Suns on Friday, looking to extend their win streak and keep pace at the top of the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Pelicans will return home to face the Denver Nuggets on Friday, hoping to bounce back from this tough loss and get healthy with the return of some of their injured players.
Oklahoma City’s continued success without Holmgren has turned heads, and as the season progresses, the Thunder are proving they can compete with the best. With Gilgeous-Alexander playing at an All-Star level and Williams emerging as a reliable scorer, Oklahoma City is quietly building a team that could be a major player in the postseason picture.
