Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder ahead Jalen Williams (8) celebrates throughout the second half of an NBA basketball recreation in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Oklahoma Metropolis. (AP Photograph/Nate Billings)
Jalen Williams scored a season-high 31 factors to steer the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder to a 106-88 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans within the NBA on Wednesday in Oklahoma Metropolis.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 29 factors, together with a 3-foot basket off the glass off transition that started with a Gilgeous-Alexander blocking Brandon Boston Jr.’s dunk try on the opposite finish. The basket made it 101-79 Thunder with 3:20 to play, placing an exclamation level on a dominating efficiency two days after Gilgeous-Alexander posted a career-high 45 factors.
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Williams added seven assists, six rebounds, 4 steals and two blocks.
READ: NBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lifts Thunder previous Clippers
The Thunder, who’re 2-0 since Chet Holmgren suffered a damaged pelvis in Sunday’s loss to Golden State, rode its protection to Wednesday’s win.
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Oklahoma Metropolis pressured 24 New Orleans turnovers and turned them into 29 factors, outscoring the Pelicans 34-2 on the quick break.
The Pelicans managed simply 4 factors off seven Oklahoma Metropolis turnovers and didn’t rating their lone fast-break basket till late within the fourth quarter.
Indicative of the Thunder’s defensive dominance, Boston dedicated six turnovers in 31 minutes within the loss. He had six in Pelicans’ first eight video games mixed getting into Wednesday.
READ: NBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren assist Thunder rout Rockets
He was elevated into a much bigger ball-handling function with Jose Alvarado misplaced to damage earlier within the week.
The sport was tied 59-59 lower than three minutes into the third quarter earlier than Oklahoma Metropolis reeled off 16 consecutive factors to seize management for good. The Pelicans turned the ball over 5 instances within the stretch.
Brandon Ingram led New Orleans with 18 factors and 6 assists however had eight turnovers.
The Pelicans have misplaced six consecutive video games and 9 of their final 10.
New Orleans obtained off to a fast begin, leaping out to an 18-6 lead lower than 5 minutes into the sport, with eight factors from Ingram throughout that stretch.
However the Thunder closed the quarter with a 27-10 run to carry a 33-28 lead after the primary 12 minutes.
The Pelicans shot simply 39.5 p.c from the ground, their third sub-40 p.c taking pictures recreation of the season. –Area Stage Media