Thunder Sets Franchise Record with 27 Threes in 137-101 Victory Over Pelicans
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points in only three quarters to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a resounding 137-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans at home on Monday.
Oklahoma City made a franchise-high 27 3-pointers, even though nobody made more than four. With 11 individuals draining at least one, the club made 49% of their 55 3-point attempts.
The Pelicans’ losing skid was extended to nine games, while the Thunder’s winning run was extended to six games.
The Thunder have won by an average of 25.8 points per game throughout their run.
With a 13-3 surge to close out the first quarter, they overcame a sluggish offensive start to take a 13-point lead.
During that period, Gilgeous-Alexander scored eight points, including a four-pointer following a step-back 3-pointer and a foul call by Jordan Hawkins.
New Orleans was never closer than 22 points in the second half, while Oklahoma City extended their lead to 29 points in the second quarter.
Gilgeous-Alexander missed the whole fourth quarter as the Thunder had a commanding advantage. Gilgeous-Alexander missed the fourth game for the thirteenth time this season.
With 24 points from Aaron Wiggins and 16 from Jalen Williams, the Thunder won their sixth consecutive game.
After averaging 9.3 points per game in his first 46 games of the season, Wiggins is now averaging 23.2 points per game during the winning streak.
Wiggins, Alex Caruso, and Gilgeous-Alexander each made four of Oklahoma City’s franchise-high 27 3-pointers.
The Thunder were 27 of 55 (49.1 percent) from beyond the arc, and they hadn’t scored more than 20 points in a game all season.
Oklahoma City took advantage of 23 Pelicans errors to score 40 points.
In his second game back after missing three months due to a pelvic bone injury, Chet Holmgren finished with 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 blocks. The 7-foot-1 forward increased his playing time from 22 minutes against Toronto on Friday to 25 minutes.
In just his second game back after a prolonged absence due to a pelvic injury, Oklahoma City big man Chet Holmgren finished with 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 blocks.
Zion Williamson of New Orleans had 17 points and five assists after a season-high 40-point performance in a Saturday loss to Sacramento.
Key Takeaways
Pelicans: The Pelicans lacked the firepower to contend since Dejounte Murray missed the season due to a ruptured right Achilles tendon, while CJ McCollum was sidelined for personal reasons.
Thunder: Oklahoma City converted 23 forced turnovers into 40 points. The Thunder are excellent at rim protection now that Holmgren is back, and they still make opponents make mistakes.
Crucial moment
Oklahoma City’s first points came from a 3-pointer from Holmgren, who also set the tone defensively in the first few minutes of the game with two forceful blocks against Karlo Matkovic, separated by 30 seconds.
Important statistic
In the first half, the Thunder bench scored 31 points. Before the half, Alex Caruso scored 12 points and sank four 3-pointers, while Wiggins finished with 14 points and two 3-pointers.
Next up
On Wednesday, the Pelicans will host Sacramento. On Wednesday, the Thunder will host Miami.
