Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 factors to raise the Oklahoma City Thunder to an exciting 94-92 win in Game 1 of their NBA Western Conference playoff collection on Sunday in Oklahoma City.
In the Thunder’s first playoff recreation since 2020, Gilgeous-Alexander made a pair of key baskets within the last two minutes to offer Oklahoma City the collection lead.
Oklahoma City went greater than 5 minutes within the fourth quarter and not using a area objective because the New Orleans Pelicans regained the lead, 90-88.
But after the Thunder missed six consecutive pictures, Gilgeous-Alexander turned issues round.
First, he hit a pull-up jumper to tie the sport with 1:36 remaining, then fought by way of site visitors to hit a floater and the free throw after being fouled to place the Thunder again up entrance.
But the Pelicans weren’t completed.
CJ McCollum hit a turnaround fadeaway a couple of seconds later to tug New Orleans inside one, and Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren missed considered one of two free throws to maintain Oklahoma City’s lead at two.
With 14 seconds left, the Pelicans had the ball with an opportunity to tie or take the lead, however Cason Wallace locked in defensively on McCollum, first reaching out for a deflection, after which maintaining McCollum from getting a clear look. McCollum’s potential game-winner missed the mark.
Playing with out Zion Williamson, who sustained a left hamstring pressure within the play-in loss to the Lakers, the Pelicans fought exhausting all through.
They fell behind by 9 halfway by way of the third quarter earlier than a 16-6 run put them again in entrance.
Trey Murphy III scored seven factors throughout the stretch, which put the Pelicans forward 66-65 late with 1:57 left within the third.
Oklahoma City shortly rebounded, ending the quarter on a 9-2 run.
The Thunder stretched the result in 10, their largest of the sport, early within the fourth quarter, however New Orleans shortly bounced again.
Jalen Williams added 19 factors for Oklahoma City, whereas Holmgren, like Williams making his playoff debut, had 15 factors, 11 rebounds and 5 blocks.
Oklahoma City had not gained a recreation scoring fewer than 102 factors this season.
Murphy led the Pelicans with 21 factors, McCollum added 20 whereas Jonas Valancuinas had 13 factors and 20 rebounds.
—Field Level Media/Reuters
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
