The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 104-95. It was an intense game with emotions flaring at the end. The Thunder entered the contest shorthanded, missing Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, Cason Wallace, and Alex Caruso due to various injuries.
Offensive struggles continued to plague OKC. They were loose with the ball, with 16 turnovers, something uncharacteristic for the second-best team in cherishing the basketball. On top of the turnovers, they shot a mediocre 40% from the field. It was not the cleanest game offensively, but Oklahoma City’s players stepped up when needed.
Chet Holmgren had a dominant game with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks, controlling the paint on both ends. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the offensive charge with 29 points. Isaiah Joe was a spark plug off the bench, adding 17 points and going 5-for-10 from three. He was the most consistent threat from beyond the arc on a night where OKC didn’t have its best shooting performance.
Defense Leads the Way as Shorthanded Thunder Hold Off Pelicans
Thunder’s Defense Dominates the Pelicans
Oklahoma City’s defensive performance was the story of the game. Zion Williamson and Saddiq Bey both turned in double-doubles with 21 points and 11 rebounds, and 16 points with 13 rebounds, respectively. They were the two lone bright spots for the New Orleans offense.
Beyond them, the Pelicans struggled to form an offensive flow. The rest of their starters went a combined 14-for-59 from the field. OKC made the Pelicans earn every look they had at the basket, and it showed in the numbers. The Thunder’s defense is usually their calling card to victory, and this game was no different. Holding any team to 95 points on 34.3% shooting will land you in the win column more days than not, even with key players out.
A Scrappy Ending to a Needed Bounce-Back Game
The game’s biggest headlines came in the final moments. Tension originally started to simmer when Jaylin Williams and Saddiq Bey got into an altercation. This late-game shoving match led to both being given double technicals. However, that was only the beginning.
The situation further escalated after the final buzzer. During the last possession, Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears went up for a last-second shot. Lu Dort contested the play, and another shoving match erupted. This one was more intense than the first, leading to both benches clearing. The teams and staff had to hold the two apart.
Despite the fight gaining most of the media attention, this win was a much-needed bounce-back performance at home. OKC’s defense showed why it is the best in the league. They also had players step up in big moments. Offensively, however, inconsistency remains the topic of discussion. The Thunder are still unable to punish teams from beyond the arc consistently, and if this shooting form continues, it can prove troublesome in the playoffs.
The Thunder will be tested again on Jan. 29 as they travel to Minnesota to face the sixth-place Timberwolves.
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