Following a rare two-game home skid, MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander helped the Thunder regain their footing after grounding the visiting Pelicans.
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s home floor has rarely seen defeat, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t about to let it happen again thrice in a row.
SGA turned up 29 points as the defending champions avoided another loss at home with a 104-95 decision against the lowly New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, January 28 (PH time).
OKC had stumbled twice in a row at home the first time in three years, including a 103-101 heartbreaker against the Toronto Raptors.
Needing a response, the Thunder delivered in style as Chet Holmgren posted a 20-point, 14-rebound double-double, while Isaiah Joe contributed 17 points off the bench.
The win cements Oklahoma City’s league-best 38-10 record, and the team now sets its sights on a rematch of last season’s Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves (28-19).
For New Orleans, the night was a bitter reversal after back-to-back road wins in Memphis and San Antonio.
Zion Williamson’s 21-point, 11-rebound double-double wasn’t enough to overcome the Thunder, and the Pelicans will look to bounce back quickly when they host the Memphis Grizzlies (18-26).
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.