The New Orleans Pelicans got here so near pulling off an enormous upset with out star Zion Williamson on Sunday night time.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, nevertheless, offered himself completely on the finish.
The MVP finalist lifted the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder to an in depth 94-92 victory over the Pelicans in what was arguably one of the best Sport 1 within the league this weekend. The Thunder, internet hosting their first playoff sport in precisely 5 years at Paycom Middle on Sunday night time, turned the eighth residence group to win their playoff opener within the final two days, making 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 a stretch with out making a discipline purpose for greater than 5 full minutes, and the Pelicans took full benefit. The Pelicans mounted a dominating 18-6 run over that stretch to erase a double-digit deficit and get 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 night time, Gilgeous-Alexander transformed a layup and a jumper from the lane on the following possession.
Though CJ McCollum hit a mid-range jumper to finish a Pelicans scoring drought and had one final take a look at the game-winner, the Pelicans couldn't convert. The Thunder got here up with one final cease to seal their two-point victory.
Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 28 factors, six rebounds and 4 assists regardless of going Zero-of-Three 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 closing sport of the match on Friday night time to even make the playoffs. Williamson, who dropped 40 factors in final week's playoff loss to the Lakers, missed the competition with a hamstring harm. He was additionally unavailable Sunday night time and will probably be out till no less than Sport 5 of this collection. Had he been wholesome and out there Sunday night time, the sport may have been a lot totally different for the Pelicans.
However even with him sidelined for no less than the rapid future, New Orleans confirmed they might cling on to the highest seed within the Western Convention. Whether or not that may result in a collection upset stays to be seen, although.