Still deprived… of a large part of their workforce, the Pelicans were unable to do anything in the face of Thunder. With 31 and 29 points respectively, Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were in control in this meeting, despite New Orleans' good start.
The first quarter nevertheless sounded like a surprise at the PayCom Center in Oklahoma. Brandon Ingram started his match well and scored 10 points, notably shooting twice from distance. The ball circulates and rookie Yves Missi confirms his good game against Brooklyn by finishing under the circle. The Pelicans lead by 11 points while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander takes aim at mid-range. OKC quietly returns to the game, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finding Frenchman Ousmane Dieng on the counter-attack who finishes in the racket. Trey Murphy III, at 3-points, allows the Pelicans to stay in front but “SGA” returns the favor. Also skilful from afar, Aaron Wiggins is found by his “All Star” leader and Oklahoma finishes in front, 33 to 28.
The Thunder remained in front at the start of the second quarter. New Orleans' defensive hesitation gives Lugentz Dort an easy 3-pointer. Jalen Williams finds Cason Wallace high up who finishes with a “dunk” on a beleaguered opposing defense.
The Thunder widened the gap by almost 10 points, but the Pelicans pushed through Yves Missi who caught his teammates' missed shots under the circle. Gilgeous-Alexander at mid-distance first, then Williams, who had to do it twice from distance, allowed the Thunder to lead 54-50 at halftime.
The Pelicans are trying
Upon resumption, Brandon Ingram came back with better intentions after not converting a single shot in the second quarter. The former Laker found the target twice from mid-distance and even put the Pelicans back up 59-59! But in Oklahoma City, we don't tremble. “SGA” gets a foul, converts, then continues behind the arc to restore a comfortable lead to his team.
Jalen Williams is just as intractable by countering Javonte Green twice in a row under the racket. The Pelicans no longer believe it. End of the third quarter at +14, the Thunder are in control.
The Pelicans will try one last run with Brandon Ingram from afar, then Yves Missi in transition. But Jalen Williams misses post of the match before catching up on the counter-attack. Gilgeous-Alexander is solid on his supports and against Brandon Boston Jr to then feint three Pelicans before finishing with the board. End of match (106-88), the Thunder are in the lead in the West and the Pelicans, decimated, have a sixth loss in a row.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– The SGA – Williams duo in control. The two Thunder stars performed in attack, with 31 and 29 points, as well as in defense (2 blocks, 4 interceptions for Jalen Williams), to validate the victory.
– Second double-double for Yves Missi. After signing 17 points and 11 rebounds against the Nets, the Pelicans rookie continues to show off. At 100% shooting (5/5), the Cameroonian once again performed on both sides of the court with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
– Ousmane Dieng embarrassed by the mistakes. At 1/4 on shots and with 16 minutes played, the Frenchman only found the net once, in the first quarter. His four faults also handicapped him.
