{"id":174992,"date":"2026-01-29T14:43:54","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T19:43:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=174992"},"modified":"2026-01-29T14:43:54","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T19:43:54","slug":"defense-leads-the-way-shorthanded-thunder-hold-off-pelicans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/01\/29\/defense-leads-the-way-shorthanded-thunder-hold-off-pelicans\/","title":{"rendered":"Defense Leads the Way as Shorthanded Thunder Hold Off Pelicans"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 104-95. It was an intense game with emotions flaring at the end. The Thunder<\/a> entered the contest shorthanded, missing <\/span>Jalen Williams<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Isaiah Hartenstein<\/a>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Cason Wallace<\/span><\/a>, and Alex Caruso<\/a> due to various injuries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chet Holmgren<\/span><\/a> had a dominant game with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks, controlling the paint on both ends<\/a>. <\/span>Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/span><\/a> led the offensive charge with 29 points. <\/span>Isaiah Joe<\/span><\/a>\u00a0was 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Defense Leads the Way as Shorthanded Thunder Hold Off Pelicans<\/h2>\n

Thunder\u2019s Defense Dominates the Pelicans<\/h3>\n

Oklahoma City\u2019s defensive performance was the story of the game.<\/span> Zion Williamson<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Saddiq Bey<\/span><\/a> both turned in double-doubles with 21 points and 11 rebounds, and 16 points with 13 rebounds, respectively.<\/span> They were the two lone bright spots for the New Orleans offense.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Jan
Jan 27, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) goes up for a basket between Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) and guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Scrappy Ending to a Needed\u00a0Bounce-Back Game<\/h3>\n

The game’s biggest headlines came in the final moments. Tension originally started to simmer when Jaylin Williams<\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

The situation further escalated after the final buzzer. During the last possession, Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears<\/a> went up for a last-second shot. Lu Dort<\/a> 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n