Chet Holmgren may still technically be an NBA rookie, but he’s well aware of the emotional lag between games.
The Thunder will look to advance 2-0 on the Pelicans on Wednesday night in the first round of the NBA playoffs, but OKC could have easily faced an 0-1 hole if CJ McCollum made a 3-pointer in the final seconds on Sunday night. Would have been scored in New Orleans’ 94–92 loss at Paycom Center.
“There’s an understanding that the difference between being satisfied with Game 1 and not being satisfied is McCollum hitting the shot at the end,” Holmgren said after practice Wednesday morning. “We can’t let us remain what we are.” “Whether he hits that shot or misses it, we’ve got to come out here and get better at the things we need to get better at.”
More:OKC Thunder’s ‘Big Three’ suffocate Pelicans in dominant Game 2 win in NBA playoffs
Thunder vs Pelicans live score updates of Game 2 in NBA playoffs
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Highlights of Thunder vs Pelicans Game 2 in NBA Playoffs
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Finals: Thunder 124, Pelicans 92 | OKC takes 2-0 lead over New Orleans in NBA playoffs
The Thunder won Game 2 in a convincing 124–92 victory. Shot 59% from the field and 48.3% from deep (and even better before garbage time). Things went wrong very fast. Just a constant drive-and-kick barrage that stifled the Pels with their TOs. Chet with 26 points (9 out of 13). Shai 33 points, 13/19.
Game 3 is Saturday at New Orleans at 2:30 p.m.
-Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
More:Mussatto: Chet Holmgren wins matchup against Jonas Valanciunas as OKC Thunder beat Pelicans
End 3Q: Thunder 92, Pelicans 74 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Rolling
Thunder lead 92-74 after 3. Pels had a lot of offensive fouls. I’m sure not every one is perfect, but OKC has a very good ability to eliminate air space, which makes creating separation a problem. Nice shy quarter. However Ingram was going to third. 12 points (2/6, 6 feet).
-Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
Half: Thunder 63, Pelicans 50 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder are 24 minutes away from taking a 2-0 series lead
OKC shot 59.5% from the field and 1-for-10 from 3, and Chet and Shai were on one each. Combined 36 points on 14-of-21 shooting. The Thunder Ball movement began to separate the Pels from the others midway through the season. Ingram has taken two shots in 17 minutes.
-Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
Another Thunder fan makes a halfcourt shot for $20K
Game 1 featured 23-year-old Jaylen O’Connor and Game 2 featured 26-year-old Eli Walch.
Walch, a nurse, told the Thunder she will use the money to pay for her wedding in 2026.
-Joe Mussatto, Staff Writer
End 1Q: Thunder 35, Pelicans 22 | Chet Holmgren turns on OKC in Game 2
Thunder lead 35-22 after 1st. Chet is on one. He has 15. He and Jonas are going shot for shot. Shai worked with very little space in the first quarter, showing some wild touches and angles. OKC shot 63.6% from 3. The Pels remained without a FG for the final 3:57.
-Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
Late 1Q: Thunder 30, Pelicans 20 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is heating up
After making that 3-pointer, Shai raised his hands in prayer, almost as if saying “Thank you.” In OKC’s last three matches, he had taken 0 wickets for 14 runs. SGA has seven digits.
-Justin Martinez, Staff Writer
More:Why do OKC Thunder fans bark like dogs? Credit Jalen Williams, Loud City
Why do they call it Loud City for OKC Thunder games?
Well, just listen to the embedded tweet.
Paycom Center has been rocking for an hour. Thunder fans are going to test the decibel rating system here tonight.
-Jeff Patterson, staff writer
Pelicans coach Willie Green emphasizes importance of late game execution in Game 2
The final minutes of Sunday night’s Game 1 saw a fierce battle between the two teams at the Paycom Center.
Although the Pelicans took a 7–0 lead midway through the fourth quarter, they struggled to find a way to put OKC away for good. New Orleans provided consistent rebounds on shots as they clawed their way to six offensive rebounds in the final minutes.
Still, the Pelicans shot just 1 of 7 from the field in the final 3:34 of regulation. This stretch proved crucial as the Thunder emerged victorious with a 94–92 victory in the opening game of the series.
“The biggest thing for us was the fourth quarter turnovers – we had seven,” Pelicans head coach Willie Green said. “We can’t give a good team so many chances to capitalize and that’s what we did.”
The Pelicans deeply felt the absence of star Zion Williamson, who typically contributes about six points per fourth quarter. This is evidenced by their 26th rank in fourth quarter point differential in the NBA for the 2023–24 season.
Williamson’s absence is a serious concern for the Pelicans’ late-game offense, with Green eager to remain composed in the clutch.
“We just have to be more patient,” Green said. “Get us some sets and execute on them. When we did that, we got really quality looks. We didn’t take advantage of all of them, but it’s important to cut down on turnovers and have more composure.”
-Jordan Davis, Staff Writer
OKC’s Mark Daigneault expects both teams to ‘play better’ in Game 2
Neither team played its best basketball on Sunday when OKC picked up a 94-92 home win over New Orleans in Game 1.
The Thunder shot only 43.5% from the floor, and scored less than 100 points for the first time since March 10. Meanwhile, the Pelicans shot 38.5% from the floor and committed seven turnovers in the fourth quarter alone.
Maybe OKC could plan on taking a six-day break before the game. Maybe New Orleans can make it up to it fresh off a two-game play-in.
Nonetheless, OKC head coach Mark Daigneault expects both teams to perform better in Game 2 on Wednesday.
“We found ourselves on our feet last night,” Daigneault said. “I would expect both teams to play better tonight than last night, especially offensively. …I have a lot of confidence in our people.”
-Justin Martinez, Staff Writer
Game 2: How to watch OKC Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans
- date: Wednesday, April 24
- Time: 8:30 pm CT
- TV: Bally Sports Oklahoma, TNT/TruTV
- live stream: Fubo (watch for free)
More:Mussato: OKC Thunder show they have it in tough Game 1 win over New Orleans Pelicans
Injury report for OKC Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans
okc thunder injury report
nobody
New Orleans Pelicans injury report
Zion Williamson (hamstring strain) is out.
More:Brandon Ingram struggles, Trey Murphy III shines as Pelicans lose to Thunder in Game 1
Projected OKC Thunder starting lineup
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 6.2 apg)
- Josh Giddy (12.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 4.8 apg)
- Lou Dort (10.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.4 apg)
- Jalen Williams (19.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.5 apg)
- Chet Holmgren (16.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.4 apg)
More:OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named NBA MVP finalist
Projected New Orleans Pelicans starting lineup
- CJ McCollum (20 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.6 apg)
- Herb Jones (11 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1 apg)
- Trey Murphy III (14.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.2 apg)
- Brandon Ingram (20.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 5.7 apg)
- Jonas Valanciunas (12.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.1 apg)
More:How the OKC Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans match up in the NBA playoffs
OKC Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans Playoff Series Schedule
- Game 1: OKC 94, New Orleans 92
- Game 2: Wednesday at 8:30 PM (TNT) in OKC
- Game 3: Saturday, April 27 (TNT) at 2:30 p.m. in New Orleans
- Game 4: TBD Monday, April 29 in New Orleans
- Game 5 (if necessary): TBD Wednesday, May 1 in OKC
- game 6 (if necessary), TBD Friday, May 3 in New Orleans
- game 7 (if necessary), TBD Sunday, May 5 in OKC
More:How to Buy OKC Thunder Tickets for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center
OKC Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans regular season series record
OKC won the regular season series 2–1. The Thunder won the last two meetings by an average of 15.5 points.
More:How Lu Dort wreaked havoc on Brandon Ingram in the Thunder’s Game 1 win vs. Pelicans?
OKC Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans NBA Playoffs Game 2 Betting Odds
As of Wednesday, April 24 Courtesy of BetMGM
- Spread: OKC (-7.5)
- over under: 211.5
- money line: OKC-350 | New Orleans +260
More:Mussato: Do you think Mark Daigneault will shorten the Thunder rotation in the playoffs? think again.
2024 nba playoffs
Play-in Tournament Selection: Lakers at Pelicans Warriors on Kings Heat on 76ers | Hawks at Bulls King in Pelican bull in heat
First round picks: celtics vs heat Knicks vs 76ers | Bucks vs Pacers | Cavaliers vs Magic | Thunder vs Pelicans | Nuggets vs Lakers | Timberwolves vs Suns | Clippers vs Mavericks
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