The Oklahoma City Thunder matched their start to last year’s NBA season on Sunday, taking their seventh win in seven with a monologue against the New Orleans Pelicans (137-106), once again to the tune of Shai Gilgeous Alexander.
OKC, reigning NBA champions, gave the Pelicans no choice at the Paycom Center and overwhelmed them led by a 30-point Gilgeous Alexander after shooting a team-high 56% from the field.
Undefeated and dominant even with key casualties
It was an unquestionable test of strength for the Oklahoma City Thunder, one of three NBA franchises still undefeated on Sunday, along with the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls.
Gilgeous Alexander, last season’s MVP, added two rebounds and seven assists and led a group of eight Thunder players above 10 points.
Mark Daigneault’s team was without Jalen Williams, who has yet to make his debut this season.
Nor with Chet Holmgren, out for the third consecutive game, and Luguentz Dort.
Also absent was Nikola Topic, diagnosed with testicular cancer for which he is undergoing treatment.
OKC’s bench responds with strength
Center Isaiah Hartenstein shined with a double-double of 14 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists.
Aaron Wiggins scored fifteen points (3 three-pointers) and Jaylin Williams scored twelve, with four three-pointers.
Three Oklahoma City Thunder reserves reached double figures: Isaiah Joe (13), Branden Carlson (11) and Ajay Mitchell (10).
OKC’s bench contributed 53 points to the Pelicans’ 32.
Better percentages with the triple
It was a monologue for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who already led by 17 points after the first period and had a maximum lead of 36 points at 133-97 in the fourth period.
Among the positive news for Mark Daigneault was his team’s strong performance from the goal.
Until Sunday, OKC was the worst franchise at shooting three-pointers at 29.6%.
Against the Pelicans, his team connected on 20 of its 48 attempts (41.7%), despite Gilgeous Alexander’s one-of-five from beyond the arc.
Cason Wallace signed three, Alex Caruso and Chris Youngblood contributed two each.
The Pelicans, six losses out of six
The Pelicans remain winless this season and are bottom of the West with six losses out of six.
The New Orleans franchise was not satisfied with the good performance of Zion Williamson, who had 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists, nor with the 19 points and five three-pointers of Trey Murphy.
They continue to choke against the Oklahoma City Thunder, to whom they lost for the eleventh consecutive time.
The Thunder, who won the West last year with a record of 64 wins and 14 losses, are now preparing for a four-game road trip away from home.
They will visit the Los Angeles Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies.
The Pelicans, meanwhile, will return to New Orleans to take on the Charlotte Hornets.
Before visiting the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs of Frenchman Victor Wembanyama.
With information from EFE
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