In their return to postseason basketball, the Oklahoma City Thunder put on a dominant display in Game 2 against the New Orleans Pelicans, triumphing 124-92. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with his outstanding 33-point performance, and Chet Holmgren’s monster night of 26 points and seven boards, led the charge for Oklahoma City.
From the outset, the Thunder set the tone, finishing the first quarter with a commanding 13-point lead. Their intensity and accuracy continued throughout the game, with the Pelicans trailing by double-digits for most of the contest. Holmgren proved to be a formidable force at the rim, deterring attacks from the Pelicans.
Gilgeous-Alexander showcased his brilliance, posting a career postseason high 33 points while shooting 68% from the field. He also contributed five assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Holmgren’s impressive night included an efficient 7-for-8 shooting, making 3 of 3 three-point attempts.
The Thunder’s dominance was evident in their balanced scoring, with no starter scoring less than 13 points. As a team, they shot an exceptional 59% from the field and 48.3% from beyond the arc. Oklahoma City’s confidence was palpable after the game, as Holmgren declared during Gilgeous-Alexander’s postgame interview that the league MVP resided in Oklahoma City.
For the Pelicans, the night was largely one to forget, with Jonas Valanciunas leading the way with 19 points and seven rebounds. Brandon Ingram and Herbert Jones each added 18 points, but the team struggled from three-point range, connecting on just 7 of 26 attempts.
The series will now shift to New Orleans for Game 3 on Saturday afternoon, marking the first time the teams will face off at the Smoothie King Center. The game is set to tip-off at 3:30 p.m. EST on TNT.
