The Oklahoma City Thunder have successfully swept the New Orleans Pelicans in their first-round NBA playoff series, propelled by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s dual-threat performance in scoring and defense. The Thunder sealed the series with a 97-89 victory on Monday night, highlighted by Gilgeous-Alexander’s crucial defensive hustle.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 24 points along with 10 rebounds, made a key defensive play that epitomized his commitment to the game. “To win basketball games, a lot goes into it,” he explained. “We just know those little things come with winning and we do it every opportunity we get.”
The turning point of the game occurred in the fourth quarter when Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado dispossessed Gilgeous-Alexander. The ball quickly transitioned to a fast break led by CJ McCollum, but his layup attempt was thwarted. Gilgeous-Alexander, following up on the play, secured the rebound, showcasing his relentless effort on both ends of the court.
“I turned it over, clearly. And then they would have got a layup if it wasn’t for Dub,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, appreciating teammate Jalen Williams‘ defensive effort under the basket. “I just wanted to make sure that if he did his part, I was there to do my part.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans Updates
This sequence sparked a pivotal 18-2 run for the Thunder, culminating in a three-pointer by Williams that stretched their lead to 93-82 with just over three minutes remaining in the game. Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddey also played key roles during this stretch, contributing crucial baskets.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault, recently named NBA’s Coach of the Year, praised his team’s fourth-quarter execution. “Guys played with great confidence and when we play offense the way we did in the fourth quarter, the shots will go in a little bit more,” he said.
Williams matched Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring with 24 points, while Giddey and Holmgren added 14 points each, with Holmgren grabbing nine rebounds.
Despite a spirited effort, the Pelicans struggled with their shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, hitting just 23.5% of their attempts. CJ McCollum led New Orleans with 20 points, but the absence of star forward Zion Williamson throughout the series was deeply felt. Jonas Valanciunas contributed 19 points and 13 rebounds but was hampered by foul trouble.
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Pelicans coach Willie Green reflected on his team’s performance and spirit, stating, “That’s a special group in that locker room, and what I told them is that there’s no other group that we would rather get on that floor and compete with than that group. They poured it out tonight. Unfortunately, we came up short.”
The Thunder’s defensive strategy, particularly the physical defending by Lu Dort against Brandon Ingram, was a significant factor in containing the Pelicans’ offense. Daigneault highlighted the team’s resilience, noting, “The defense just kind of stabilized us all night.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans Updates
As the Thunder move forward in the playoffs, their comprehensive team performance against the Pelicans sets a formidable precedent for their upcoming challenges. They will face the winner of the Dallas Mavericks versus LA Clippers series, which is currently at a 2-2 tie entering Game 5.
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