The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their dominant season with a resounding 137-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night at the Paycom Center. With the win, the Thunder improved to 43-9, extending their winning streak to six games and reinforcing their status as the top team in the Western Conference.
From the opening tip, Oklahoma City controlled the game on both ends of the floor. The Thunder forced 23 Pelicans turnovers, leading to 40 points off those mistakes. They also set a new franchise record by draining 27 three-pointers on 55 attempts, a testament to their offensive firepower and balanced attack. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 31 points in just three quarters, while Aaron Wiggins provided a spark off the bench with 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting.
Thunder Set the Tone Early
New Orleans entered the game shorthanded, missing key contributors CJ McCollum (personal reasons) and Brandon Boston (ankle injury). Oklahoma City wasted no time capitalizing on the depleted Pelicans squad.
Chet Holmgren, making his second appearance since returning from a pelvic injury, set the tone defensively with two early blocks on Karlo Matkovic. He also drilled a three-pointer for Oklahoma City’s first points of the game. Isaiah Hartenstein was dominant on the glass, grabbing six offensive rebounds in the first quarter alone to help establish the Thunder’s presence inside.
Despite some early turnovers, Oklahoma City ended the first quarter on a strong note, with Gilgeous-Alexander heating up in the final minutes. He connected on a baseline jumper, converted a four-point play, and sank two free throws to put the Thunder ahead 33-20 after one period.
Bench Provides a Spark
The second quarter saw Oklahoma City’s reserves take over. Alex Caruso nailed back-to-back three-pointers, and Aaron Wiggins scored on a transition dunk and a driving layup as part of a 22-10 run that forced a Pelicans timeout. Wiggins continued his strong play, finishing the half with 14 points, including two three-pointers.
New Orleans struggled to maintain possession, turning the ball over seven times in the second quarter alone. The Thunder capitalized, turning defense into offense with quick transition buckets. Trey Murphy III tried to keep the Pelicans within striking distance, scoring 10 points in the quarter, but the Thunder’s relentless attack pushed the halftime lead to 72-50.
Second-Half Domination
Oklahoma City showed no signs of slowing down in the second half. The Thunder opened the third quarter with three straight scoring possessions, including two layups and an inbounds dunk. The Pelicans, already struggling to keep pace, saw their deficit balloon beyond 30 points midway through the third.
Gilgeous-Alexander continued to shine, scoring twice in a four-possession stretch, and Jalen Williams added a smooth mid-range jumper. By the time the third quarter ended, Oklahoma City held a commanding 102-78 lead, and Gilgeous-Alexander had played his final minutes of the night.
The fourth quarter turned into a showcase of the Thunder’s depth. Wiggins and Murphy III traded three-pointers early in the period before Oklahoma City’s bench exploded from beyond the arc. Adam Flagler, Dillon Jones, Branden Carlson, and Alex Ducas drilled consecutive three-pointers, officially putting the game out of reach. The Thunder’s 27th and final three-pointer, a new franchise record, was the exclamation point on an already lopsided affair.
Statistical Leaders
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 31 points, 10-for-20 shooting, 4 three-pointers, 3 steals
- Aaron Wiggins: 24 points, 9-for-13 shooting, 4 three-pointers, 3 steals
- Jalen Williams: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals
- Chet Holmgren: 12 points, 6 rebounds, 5 blocks, 1 steal
- Isaiah Hartenstein: 13 rebounds (6 offensive), 6 points, 2 assists
- Alex Caruso: 12 points, 4-for-6 from three
For the Pelicans, Trey Murphy III led the team with 23 points, moving into third place in franchise history for made three-pointers with 564. Zion Williamson added 17 points and five assists, but New Orleans’ inability to handle the Thunder’s defensive pressure was their downfall.
Takeaways
1. Three-Point Barrage: The Thunder’s 27 made threes were the most in franchise history, and their efficiency from deep (49%) made them nearly unstoppable. Eleven different players connected from beyond the arc.
2. Turnovers Kill the Pelicans: New Orleans’ 23 turnovers led directly to 40 Thunder points. Against an elite team like Oklahoma City, those mistakes were costly.
3. Depth Matters: The Thunder’s bench contributed heavily to the blowout win, scoring 31 points in the first half alone. Wiggins and Caruso were especially impactful, giving the team a significant edge when the starters rested.
What’s Next?
Oklahoma City now turns its attention to a matchup with the Miami Heat on Wednesday, February 12, at 7 p.m. CST. With only two games remaining before the All-Star break, the Thunder will look to maintain their momentum and continue their dominant stretch.
For New Orleans, the loss extends their losing streak to nine games, the third time this season they’ve dropped nine in a row. Coach Willie Green acknowledged the team’s struggles, stating, “When you play them, you’re in the fire. They force turnovers, they push in transition, and they make you pay for every mistake.”
Final Thoughts
Oklahoma City once again proved why they are a legitimate contender in the Western Conference. Their ability to score at will, force turnovers, and dominate both inside and on the perimeter makes them a nightmare for opponents. As they continue their push toward the postseason, the Thunder look like one of the most complete teams in the NBA.
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