NBA: Jalen Williams, Thunder score impressive win over Pelicans
NBA

NBA: Jalen Williams, Thunder score impressive win over Pelicans

/ 02:26 PM November 14, 2024

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams NBA

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) celebrates during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Jalen Williams scored a season-high 31 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 106-88 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA on Wednesday in Oklahoma City.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 29 points, including a 3-foot basket off the glass off transition that began with a Gilgeous-Alexander blocking Brandon Boston Jr.’s dunk attempt on the other end. The basket made it 101-79 Thunder with 3:20 to play, putting an exclamation point on a dominating performance two days after Gilgeous-Alexander posted a career-high 45 points.

Article continues after this advertisement

Williams added seven assists, six rebounds, four steals and two blocks.

FEATURED STORIES

READ: NBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lifts Thunder past Clippers

The Thunder, who are 2-0 since Chet Holmgren suffered a broken pelvis in Sunday’s loss to Golden State, rode its defense to Wednesday’s win.

Article continues after this advertisement

Oklahoma City forced 24 New Orleans turnovers and turned them into 29 points, outscoring the Pelicans 34-2 on the fast break.

Article continues after this advertisement

The Pelicans managed just four points off seven Oklahoma City turnovers and didn’t score their lone fast-break basket until late in the fourth quarter.

Article continues after this advertisement

Indicative of the Thunder’s defensive dominance, Boston committed six turnovers in 31 minutes in the loss. He had six in Pelicans’ first eight games combined entering Wednesday.

READ: NBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren help Thunder rout Rockets

Article continues after this advertisement

He was elevated into a bigger ball-handling role with Jose Alvarado lost to injury earlier in the week.

The game was tied 59-59 less than three minutes into the third quarter before Oklahoma City reeled off 16 consecutive points to grab control for good. The Pelicans turned the ball over five times in the stretch.

Brandon Ingram led New Orleans with 18 points and six assists but had eight turnovers.

The Pelicans have lost six consecutive games and nine of their last 10.

New Orleans got off to a quick start, jumping out to an 18-6 lead less than five minutes into the game, with eight points from Ingram during that stretch.

But the Thunder closed the quarter with a 27-10 run to hold a 33-28 lead after the first 12 minutes.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

The Pelicans shot just 39.5 percent from the floor, their third sub-40 percent shooting game of the season. –Field Level Media

TAGS: Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.