The Oklahoma City Thunder, led by their fearless young core, are on the verge of a first-round sweep after dismantling the New Orleans Pelicans 106-85 on Saturday afternoon. The win extends their series lead to a commanding 3-0, showcasing the defensive prowess and offensive firepower of this up-and-coming force.
Thunder Weather Early Storm, Williams Shines After Scary Incident
The game started with a jolt for the Thunder faithful as Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City’s second-leading scorer, took a hard shot to the face from Brandon Ingram in the opening possession. Thankfully, after a tense evaluation, Williams returned later in the first quarter and emerged as a key contributor, finishing with a stellar 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists.
“That’s a sign of a really good team,” said Thunder guard Josh Giddey. “One of your main guys goes down, and you bring in Cason [Wallace] and it feels the same. He plays a role. No one tries to be other guys. Guys come in and do that thing. And we’ve got a really deep squad. You look down that bench, and everyone that touches the floor has an impact.”
Defense Dictates the Game, Pelicans Struggle to Find Offensive Rhythm
The Thunder’s suffocating defense, ranked fourth in the NBA during the regular season, remained the dominant force throughout the afternoon. They swarmed Brandon Ingram, making his mid-range game ineffective, and limited CJ McCollum’s scoring opportunities. With Zion Williamson still sidelined, the Pelicans lacked the offensive firepower to keep pace.
“They’re a good defense for a reason,” acknowledged Pelicans coach Willie Green. “And to beat this team we have to be really sound in our execution… They’re handsy. All of their guys, this is what they do, they’ve done it all season and it hurt us.”
Balanced Scoring Propels Thunder, Gilgeous-Alexander Leads the Charge
While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remained the offensive engine with a solid 24-point performance, the Thunder showcased their depth with impressive contributions from Jalen Williams and Josh Giddey. This balanced scoring attack makes them a difficult matchup, forcing opponents to adjust their defensive schemes constantly.
“We just try to clear the hurdle in front of us,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. “That’s how we’ve been through time, not just this season… I think they just have an uncommon maturity and uncommon poise, uncommon competitiveness and togetherness. And with that competitiveness, they’re not just siloed competitors. They compete together. And I think that gives you confidence in stressful situations or on the road when you’re doing it as part of a unit, and I really think they feel like that.”
Can the Thunder Close it Out in New Orleans?
The Thunder remain in New Orleans with a chance to sweep the series on Monday night. History is stacked against the Pelicans, as no team in the NBA has ever overcome a 3-0 series deficit. However, the Pelicans will have the home crowd energy on their side and a desperate desire to avoid elimination.
Key Takeaways:
- The Thunder’s defense continues to dominate, holding the Pelicans to under 90 points for all three games in the series.
- Jalen Williams’ return from an early scare epitomizes the Thunder’s team resilience.
- Balanced scoring from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Josh Giddey makes the Thunder a matchup nightmare.
- The Pelicans’ offensive struggles and high turnovers continue to plague them.
This young Thunder team has defied expectations throughout this first playoff series. Their composure, defensive dominance, and balanced scoring attack have them on the brink of a historic sweep. The Pelicans face an uphill battle, but they can’t be counted out entirely. With their backs against the wall, they’ll be looking to make a desperate stand in front of their home crowd in Game 4.
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