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Thunder vs Pelicans recap: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads OKC to win in NBA playoff opener

Joel Lorenzi, Justin Martinez, Jordan Davis and Jeff Patterson, The Oklahoman
·9 min read

For the first time since 2019, the NBA playoffs are back in Oklahoma City.

The No. 1-seeded Thunder host eighth-seeded New Orleans Pelicans at 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Paycom Center in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Follow along for updates from Game 1:

More: How OKC Thunder survived Game 1 vs. New Orleans Pelicans behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Thunder vs Pelicans live score updates

More: With OKC Thunder back in NBA playoffs for first time since 2020, here are 4 things to know

Thunder vs Pelicans live score updates

Tweets by okcthunder

More: Fair or not, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be judged by OKC Thunder success in NBA playoffs

FINAL: Thunder 94, Pelicans 92

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 28 points for the Thunder, which leads the best-of-seven series 1-0.

Game 2 is at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday night (TNT) at Paycom Center.

More: Mussatto: OKC Thunder shows it has bark in tight Game 1 win over New Orleans Pelicans

Watch Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP-level shot

SGA has the Thunder up 93-90 with 32.5 seconds left after this and-1 play.

End 3Q: Thunder 74, Pelicans 68

A score only understandable in the postseason. OKC leads 74-68 after 3. Both teams shooting 8 for 27 (29.6%) from deep. Necessary burst for the Thunder to end that third.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

What TNT 'Inside the NBA' crew said about Thunder vs. Pelicans

The word on TNT's halftime show was that OKC is going to have to be more physical to put away the Pelicans.

"OKC is going to have to punch them in the mouth and knock them out," Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal said.

OK then.

—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer

Half: Thunder 43, Pelicans 43

Not a lot of low-scoring halves like that in this building. OKC at 41.5% FG, 26.3% from 3. NO at 34% FG, 25% from 3. Not in a different universe from what he's seen this year, but the general help on SGA, especially in the 2Q, was serious.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Thunder fan hits halfcourt shot for $20K at NBA playoff game

Thunder fan Jaylen O’Conner just got the 1 millionth Thunder playoff shirt AND hit the $20K halfcourt shot!

Let's see if we can track him down.

—Jacob Unruh, Staff writer

More: OKC Thunder fan hits half-court shot for $20K at NBA playoff game vs Pelicans

End 1Q: Thunder 17, Pelicans 17

The ghost of shotmaking is howling in Paycom rn. Some generally good defense from both sides through a quarter, tied at 17 after 1. Pels shooting 30.4% FG, 12.5% (1/8) from 3. OKC at 35% FG, 2 for 9 from deep. Chet 1 for 7. Shai up to 9 pts (4/6). BI 1 for 4. Herb 1 for 6.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

6:48 1Q: Pelicans off to strong start without Zion Williamson

NO leading 9-7 early. Lu Dort is making Brandon Ingram's life hard. Denying actions, high pressure on ball. He's 0 for 2 with a couple drawn fouls. Chet Holmgren hit his first 3, though he's 0 for 4 since. Not making Valanciunas pay as early as he has often in the season series.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Why is Tre Mann at NBA playoff game?

That answer is simple. He's at Paycom Center to support his former Thunder teammates.

The fan-favorite and former first-round pick was traded to the Hornets in February in a move that sent Gordon Hayward to OKC.

—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer

Mark Daigneault, man of the people

Mark Daigneault was asked today how the public should perceive adjustments, and he compared it to his fandom of the New England Patriots and former coach Bill Belichick.

"Of course I was. I mean, it's part of being a fan. Sitting on the couch, eating nachos, saying 'why are you running the ball so much?' Because I'm apparently an expert on NFL running game. So I feel empowered to question the greatest coach in the history of the sport."

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Pelicans coach Willie Green talks about defending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Willie Green is no stranger to the dangers of elite guard play in the postseason.

The former NBA guard, now the Pelicans' head coach, has had his fair share of matchup nightmares similar to Shai Gilegous Alexander's.

Yet, he's accepted that the MVP candidate's impact is inevitable.

"We've just got to throw different looks at him," Green said. When you plan against guys like that, you just have to make it tough. They're going to touch the ball, they're going to get their shots, but you want to make everything extremely difficult."

OKC won its season series 2-1 with the Pelicans, and in those matchups with them, Chet Holmgren caused immense problems.

In the previous matchups, Chet Holmgren proved to be a formidable force, averaging 18.3 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks. Green acknowledges the challenge of limiting his impact.

"He's a difference maker on this team," Green said. "Defensively, he's always in a position to block shots, so that definitely creates some mismatches for us. It's one of those defensive assignments where communication is going to be extremely important."

—Jordan Davis, Staff writer

Despite NBA playoff inexperience, Thunder players have 'played in big games before'

When OKC begins its playoff run with Game 1 against New Orleans, numerous Thunder players will be in uncharted territory.

OKC’s players have only made a combined 134 career playoff appearances. It’s the second-lowest total of the 16 competing teams.

But OKC’s lack of playoff experience doesn’t concern head coach Mark Daigneault.

“These guys have played in big games before,” Daigneault said. “They know what it feels like to play in a big game. That’s not to say that all big games are the same, but these guys have played on big stages and under high pressure.”

Six OKC players have made playoff appearances. That list consists of Bismack Biyombo (40), Mike Muscala (35), Gordon Hayward (29), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (13), Isaiah Joe (11) and Lu Dort (six).

But others have played on big stages. Chet Holmgren reached the Sweet 16 of the 2022 NCAA Tournament with Gonzaga, while Josh Giddey played for Team Australia in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

—Justin Martinez, Staff writer

NBA award finalists announced

Three members of the Oklahoma City Thunder were named NBA award finalists on Sunday.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a finalist for Most Valuable Player, along with Denver's Nikola Jokic and Dallas' Luka Doncic. The Thunder guard is also up for Clutch Player of the Year with Chicago's DeMar DeRozan and Golden State's Stephen Curry.

Chet Holmgren is a finalist for Rookie of the Year, along with San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama and Charlotte's Brandon Miller.

Mark Daigneault is a finalist for Coach of the Year, along with Minnesota's Chris Finch and Orlando's Jamahl Mosley.

"The impact he has on the game is Michael Jordan-like," former NBA champion Kenny Smith said on the TNT pregame show.

—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer

More: OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named NBA MVP finalist

2024 NBA playoffs

Play-in tournament picks: Lakers at Pelicans | Warriors at Kings | Heat at 76ers | Hawks at Bulls | Kings at Pelicans | Bulls at Heat

First-round picks: Celtics vs Heat | Knicks vs 76ers | Bucks vs Pacers | Cavaliers vs Magic | Thunder vs Pelicans | Nuggets vs Lakers | Timberwolves vs Suns | Clippers vs Mavericks

Game 1: How to watch OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans

  • Date: Sunday, April 21

  • Time: 8:30 p.m. CT

  • TV: Bally Sports Oklahoma, TNT/TruTV

  • Live Stream: Fubo (watch for free)

More: Mussatto: OKC Thunder at base of second mountain, ready for another climb up NBA ranks

Injury report for OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans

OKC Thunder injury report

None

New Orleans Pelicans injury report

Zion Williamson (hamstring strain) is out.

More: Mussatto: Making Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP case in reveal of NBA awards ballot

Projected OKC Thunder starting lineup

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.2 APG)

  • Josh Giddey (12.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 4.8 APG)

  • Lu Dort (10.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.4 APG)

  • Jalen Williams (19.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.5 APG)

  • Chet Holmgren (16.5 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.4 APG)

Projected New Orleans Pelicans starting lineup

  • CJ McCollum (20 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.6 APG)

  • Herb Jones (11 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1 APG)

  • Trey Murphy III (14.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.2 APG)

  • Brandon Ingram (20.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 5.7 APG)

  • Jonas Valanciunas (12.2 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.1 APG)

More: How the OKC Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans match up in NBA playoffs

OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans playoff series schedule

  • Game 1: At 8:30 p.m. Sunday (TNT) in OKC

  • Game 2: At 8:30 p.m. Wednesday (TNT) in OKC

  • Game 3: At 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27 (TNT) in New Orleans

  • Game 4: TBD Monday, April 29 in New Orleans

  • Game 5 (If necessary): TBD Wednesday, May 1 in OKC

  • Game 6 (If necessary): TBD Friday, May 3 in New Orleans

  • Game 7 (If necessary): TBD Sunday, May 5 in OKC

More: How to buy OKC Thunder tickets for 2024 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center

OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans regular-season series record

OKC won the regular-season series, 2-1. The Thunder won the final two meetings by an average of 15.5 points.

More: OKC Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren is chasing greatness and isn't afraid to fail on the way

OKC Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans NBA playoffs Game 1 betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Saturday, April 20

  • Spread: OKC (-8.5)

  • Over/under: 214.5

  • Moneyline: OKC -350 | New Orleans +275

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More OKC Thunder news

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder holds off New Orleans Pelicans to win NBA playoff opener