The New Orleans Pelicans got here so near pulling off an enormous upset with out star Zion Williamson on Sunday evening.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, nevertheless, confirmed up completely on the very finish.
The MVP finalist lifted the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder to a good 94-92 win over the Pelicans in what was maybe the very best Sport 1 throughout the league this weekend. The Thunder — who had been internet hosting their first playoff recreation in precisely 5 years on the Paycom Heart on Sunday evening — grew to become the eighth dwelling workforce to win their playoff opener over the previous two days, making for a uncommon clear sweep for the primary time since 2013.
After showing to drag away within the third quarter, the Thunder largely shut down offensively within the fourth. They went on a stretch with out making a subject aim for greater than 5 full minutes, and the Pelicans took full benefit. The Pelicans mounted a dominant 18-6 run over that stretch to erase a double-digit deficit and bounce again in entrance after taking part in a step behind for a lot of the second half.
Lastly, although, Gilgeous-Alexander hit a jumper to finish the Thunder’s dry spell with simply 90 seconds left to tie the sport. Then, after Chet Holmgren got here up along with his fifth block of the evening, Gilgeous-Alexander transformed a ridiculous and-one jumper from the lane on the following possession.
Although CJ McCollum hit a mid-range jumper of his personal to finish a Pelicans scoring drought, and he obtained one last have a look at a game-winner, the Pelicans couldn’t convert. The Thunder got here up with one final cease to seal their two-point win.
Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 28 factors, six rebounds and 4 assists regardless of going 0-of-3 from behind the arc. Jalen Williams added 19 factors and 7 rebounds, and Holmgren had 15 factors and 11 rebounds to go along with his 5 blocks.
Trey Murphy led the Pelicans with 21 factors and 4 rebounds, and McCollum added 20 factors whereas capturing 9-of-22 from the sphere. Jonas Valanciunas completed with 13 factors and 20 rebounds.
The Pelicans needed to beat the Sacramento Kings within the last play-in event recreation on Friday evening to even make the playoffs. Williamson, who dropped 40 factors of their play-in loss to the Lakers final week, missed that contest resulting from a hamstring damage. He was unavailable on Sunday evening, too, and he’s going to be out till at the least Sport 5 of this collection. If he was wholesome and obtainable on Sunday evening, the sport might have been a lot completely different for the Pelicans.
However even with him sidelined for at the least the speedy future, New Orleans confirmed it might completely hold with the highest seed within the Western Convention. Whether or not that may result in a collection upset, although, stays to be seen.
