In an atmosphere just as electric as last season against the Suns, the start of the match is to the advantage of the Pelicans, who enter the game better. Carried by an omnipresent Jonas Valanciunas, author of 6 points and 8 rebounds in less than six minutes, the players of Willie Green achieve a first gap (19-10). But now, under the leadership of Luguentz Dort and Josh Giddey, the Thunder will catch up fairly quickly. At the end of the 1st quarter, OKC even took the lead (32-29).
Thanks to 5 consecutive points from Trey Murphy, New Orleans regains the lead (42-40). Author of 17 points already, Luguentz Dort carries the Thunder on his back, and allows his people to recover the advantage (47-44). The Pelicans end the second quarter very well, and lead by 6 points at the break (63-57)
Luguentz Dort, again, is on another planet. On a basket concluded with the fault, it allows OKC to return to New Orleans (69-69). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, very little seen in the first period, wakes up and with style. The latter already compiles 12 points in the 3rd quarter alone, to allow the Thunder to take a 5-point lead (82-77). On a 3-point shot, Josh Giddey gives OKC a 10-point lead (95-85). At the start of the 4th quarter, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s teammates have a 9-point lead (96-87).
The Pelicans start the last act with a 9-2, which allows them to come back to just 2 points behind their opponent (98-96). On a dunk, Josh Richardson restores the advantage to New Orleans (101-100). With 5 minutes remaining, the score is 106-106. THE mano a mano continues until the last seconds between two teams that do not want to crack. With only 28 seconds left on the clock, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander allows the Thunder to recover the advantage (115-114). Despite an incredible 3-pointer from Ingram three seconds from the end, the Pelicans will not recover, and the Thunder creates the sensation by winning 123-118.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The SGA – Giddey – Dort trio delighted. In a knockout game, they combined 90 points between them. Luguentz Dort took heat from the start by performing a very high quality first half. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took over in the second half. As for Josh Giddey, he was consistent throughout the game, even coming close to a triple-double.
– Wolves vs. Thunder. OKC had started the season in Minnesota, and he will perhaps earn his place in the playoffs there. The winner will challenge the Nuggets, 1st in the Western Conference, in the first round of the playoffs.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Luguentz Sleeps. At 23, he is one of the few to have already played in the playoffs at the Thunder, and he signs one of the best performances of his career with 27 points at 8/14 shooting including 4/8 at 3-pointers .
✅Josh Giddey. He controlled the match, it was even impressive for such a young player, in such a crucial match. He finished on the verge of a triple-double: 31 points, 10 assists, 9 rebounds. Perhaps the most impressive? His two lost balls in 42 minutes.
✅ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. After a bad first period, he started back from the locker room with 17 points in the 3rd quarter alone. He finished with 32 points at 11/22 shooting. His complicated shot in the “money time” on the left of the basket conditioned the room.
✅ Brandon Ingram. Author of 30 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds, he responded, but that was not enough. He claimed a foul on his incredible 3-pointer. If the referees had awarded him, it was a free throw to equalize…
⛔️ CJ McCollum. In the most important game of the season, he never got into the game, and he finished 5/15 in shooting.
THE FOLLOWING
The Thunder will travel to Wolves at Target Center, Friday night through Saturday.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
