New Orleans Pelicans vs OKC Thunder Match Player Stats

In the game on, April 30, 2024, between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New Orleans Pelicans, both teams showcased their strengths and weaknesses in a closely contested match. The Thunder secured a hard-fought victory with a final score of 97-89, edging out the Pelicans by just eight points. Let’s break down the performances of key players and the overall team dynamics.

Oklahoma City Thunder Highlights:

The Thunder were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who played the most minutes (40:25) and contributed significantly with 24 points, despite shooting only 38.1% from the field. He also added 10 rebounds, showcasing his ability to contribute on both ends of the floor. Jalen Williams was another standout performer, scoring 24 points on 52.9% shooting and grabbing 8 rebounds. His efficiency and scoring ability were crucial for the Thunder.

Chet Holmgren, the Thunder’s young center, played a solid game with 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. Although his shooting from beyond the arc was below par (1 of 7), his presence in the paint was felt both offensively and defensively. Josh Giddey also contributed with 14 points and a high 66.7% shooting from three-point range, adding to the Thunder’s offensive push.

Luguentz Dort provided his usual defensive tenacity while chipping in 11 points and 8 rebounds. His ability to guard multiple positions was crucial in slowing down the Pelicans’ offense.

The Thunder’s bench had a more subdued performance, with Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins adding just a few points each. Jaylin Williams had a perfect shooting night, albeit with limited attempts, scoring 3 points in just over 10 minutes of play.

New Orleans Pelicans Highlights:

The Pelicans struggled offensively throughout the game, with Brandon Ingram having an off night, scoring only 8 points on 14.3% shooting. His struggles were emblematic of the Pelicans’ difficulties in finding consistent scoring.

Jonas Valanciunas was a bright spot for the Pelicans, leading the team with 19 points and dominating the boards with 13 rebounds. His physical presence in the paint was a challenge for the Thunder, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide in favor of the Pelicans.

CJ McCollum added 20 points, but like many of his teammates, his three-point shooting (28.6%) was below his usual standards. Trey Murphy III also had a tough night, scoring just 7 points on 30% shooting, despite playing nearly 43 minutes.

The Pelicans did get a solid performance from Naji Marshall, who scored 16 points on 55.6% shooting, including a strong 57.1% from three-point range. However, the team’s overall shooting woes (37.6% from the field and 23.5% from three) were a major factor in their defeat.

New Orleans Pelicans vs OKC Thunder Match Player Stats

OKC Thunder:

PLAYER	MIN	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	PTS	+/-
Luguentz Dort	36:24	4	7	57.1	2	5	40.0	1	2	50.0	3	5	8	3	2	0	1	3	11	3
Jalen Williams	37:48	9	17	52.9	2	6	33.3	4	5	80.0	1	7	8	4	2	1	3	2	24	14
Chet Holmgren	35:10	5	12	41.7	1	7	14.3	3	4	75.0	2	7	9	5	0	0	3	3	14	10
Josh Giddey	29:28	5	10	50.0	4	6	66.7	0	0	0.0	0	3	3	1	0	1	1	2	14	12
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander	40:25	8	21	38.1	1	4	25.0	7	13	53.8	1	9	10	3	0	2	2	4	24	7
Isaiah Joe	13:49	1	5	20.0	0	4	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	1	1	0	0	0	1	0	2	-4
Jaylin Williams	10:51	1	1	100	1	1	100	0	0	0.0	0	2	2	0	1	2	2	1	3	-4
Gordon Hayward	3:59	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	-1
Cason Wallace	13:41	0	2	0.0	0	2	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	2	0	1	1	0	3
Aaron Wiggins	16:23	2	7	28.6	1	5	20.0	0	0	0.0	1	1	2	2	2	1	0	2	5	-2
Kenrich Williams	2:02	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
Bismack Biyombo	DNP – Coach’s Decision
Ousmane Dieng	DNP – Coach’s Decision
Mike Muscala	DNP – Coach’s Decision
Lindy Waters III	DNP – Coach’s Decision
TOTALS	35	82	42.7	12	40	30.0	15	24	62.5	8	36	44	18	9	7	14	18	97	8

New Orleans Pelicans

PLAYER	MIN	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	PTS	+/-
Brandon Ingram	38:45	2	14	14.3	0	3	0.0	4	6	66.7	0	4	4	6	2	2	2	3	8	-3
Trey Murphy III	42:48	3	10	30.0	1	7	14.3	0	0	0.0	0	11	11	3	1	2	4	4	7	-7
Jonas Valanciunas	25:47	6	15	40.0	0	1	0.0	7	8	87.5	6	7	13	1	1	0	3	4	19	-6
Herbert Jones	33:49	4	11	36.4	1	3	33.3	2	2	100	2	2	4	4	2	1	3	5	11	-12
CJ McCollum	37:28	9	16	56.3	2	7	28.6	0	0	0.0	1	5	6	2	1	1	3	4	20	-14
Naji Marshall	21:32	5	9	55.6	4	7	57.1	2	2	100	1	2	3	1	0	1	1	4	16	0
Larry Nance Jr.	21:25	2	4	50.0	0	2	0.0	2	2	100	2	4	6	1	0	0	0	1	6	-2
Jose Alvarado	14:43	1	4	25.0	0	3	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	2	2	4	3	1	2	0	2	4
Jordan Hawkins	3:43	0	2	0.0	0	1	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
Dyson Daniels	DNP – Coach’s Decision
E.J. Liddell	DNP – Coach’s Decision
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl	DNP – Coach’s Decision
Matt Ryan	DNP – Coach’s Decision
Cody Zeller	DNP – Coach’s Decision
TOTALS	32	85	37.6	8	34	23.5	17	20	85.0	12	38	50	22	10	8	18	25	89	-8

Team Dynamics:

The Thunder’s victory was built on a balanced offensive attack, with multiple players contributing in double figures and strong rebounding efforts, especially from their guards. They managed to shoot 42.7% from the field, which, while not exceptional, was enough given the Pelicans’ struggles.

The Pelicans, on the other hand, were plagued by poor shooting and turnovers, with 18 compared to the Thunder’s 14. Their inability to convert open looks and capitalize on second-chance opportunities, despite winning the rebounding battle 50-44, ultimately led to their downfall.

In a game where both teams had their ups and downs, the Thunder’s ability to execute in key moments and their balanced scoring attack proved to be the difference. The Pelicans will need to regroup and find more consistent scoring from their stars if they hope to bounce back in future games. This match highlighted the importance of efficiency and the ability to perform under pressure, both of which were areas where the Thunder excelled. The Oklahoma City Thunder won the match against the New Orleans Pelicans with a final score of 97-89.