The Oklahoma City Thunder narrowly secured a close victory in New Orleans, clinching a first-round series sweep over the Pelicans with a 97-89 triumph. Despite a valiant effort from the Pelicans in their final stand, OKC emerged victorious.
Thunder Sweep Pelicans, Achieving A Historic Feat
This OKC team continues to not act their age – in a good way. Entering the postseason as the youngest first seed in NBA history with an average age of 23.9 years, they have once again made history by becoming the youngest team ever to sweep a playoff series.
They ground out a low-scoring affair in a game where both teams shot 30% or less from three-point range. All of the Thunder’s starters finished the game with double-digit points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led with 24 points on 8-of-21 shooting, although he struggled at the free-throw line, making just seven of his 13 attempts. Despite this, he contributed 10 rebounds, achieving a rare rebound double-double for him, along with three assists and two blocks.
Jalen Williams displayed efficiency, scoring 24 points on 8-of-17 shooting, and also secured eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block. Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddey both contributed 14 points, while Luguentz Dort scored 11 points to round out the double-digit scoring for the starters.
Brandon Ingram had a difficult game, finishing with just eight points on 2-of-14 shooting in 39 minutes of action. His struggles continued throughout the series, averaging only 14.3 points per game, down from his season average of 20.8. He openly admitted to not being himself during this series, with hopes of recovery during the summer in Cancun, which would be paradise compared to the hell Dort put him through.
Four Pelicans players finished with double-digit points in the game. CJ McCollum led with 20 points on 9-of-16 shooting, along with six rebounds and two assists. Jonas Valanciunas achieved a 19-point and 13-rebound double-double, while Naji Marshall contributed 16 of the Pels’ bench points.
Grit and Grind
Games 2 and 3 witnessed one-sided victories, whereas Game 4 mirrored the competitiveness of Game 1. It was a gritty affair marked by missed shots and numerous turnovers. The Thunder finally pulled away from the Pelicans in the fourth quarter, outscoring them 27-18. Williams contributed 11 points, and Giddey added nine, combining for 20 of the Thunder’s points in the final frame.
The Pelicans scored between 85 and 92 points in all four games. The Thunder’s defense, led by Dort on the perimeter and Holmgren in the paint, set the tone for the series.
Maturity Beyond Their Years
Coach Mike Daigneault has often described his team as having ‘uncommon maturity,’ a trait they displayed throughout this series. They took care of the lower-seeded Pelicans like seasoned veterans. It’s easy to forget that this is their first playoff appearance as a group.
This marks their first playoff series win since 2016. This is just their second-ever series sweep; the first occurred back in 2012. That was against the Dallas Mavericks en route to an NBA finals appearance. Although it may be premature to anticipate a similar finals run, everything about this Thunder team has unfolded sooner than expected. So Thunder fans can dream. They will face the Los Angeles Clippers or Mavericks in the conference semifinals.
