In a dominant display, the Oklahoma City Thunder extended their series lead to 3-0 by defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 106-85 on Saturday afternoon.
The game started off on a concerning note for the Thunder as Jalen Williams absorbed a forearm to the face from Ingram while executing a driving floater, resulting in Williams falling to the court fell to his hands and knees..
Despite the apparent contact, no foul was called on the collision. Williams was forced to retreat to the locker room for a significant portion of the first quarter due to the impact before eventually returning to action late in the period. And he contributed to the team’s success with a pair of crucial 3-pointers during a pivotal 9-0 run in the third quarter.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the scoring for the Thunder with 24 points, while Williams and Josh Giddey provided significant support with 21 points each.
“Dub’s very talented,” commented Gilgeous-Alexander on Williams’ performance. Williams has been a consistent contributor throughout the series, averaging approximately 20 points per game. In Game 3, he showcased his resilience by scoring 13 of his points in the second half, earning praise from his teammate. “He was clearly big tonight, very impressive and nothing we’re not used to,” Gilgeous-Alexander added, acknowledging Williams’ impactful presence on the court.
Despite initial doubts about their youth and experience, the Thunder have showcased formidable performances, particularly on the defensive end, limiting the Pelicans to 92 points or fewer in all three games of the series.
“We were ready to play,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “Our physicality again, our defense and focus on that end of the floor was really, really good, made them earn everything. And I thought that set the tone.”
Oklahoma City’s proficiency from beyond the arc, shooting 47.2% on 3-pointers, coupled with their double-digit lead maintained throughout the second half, demonstrated their control over the game.
Oklahoma City displayed remarkable accuracy from beyond the arc, hitting 17 of 36 attempts, equating to an impressive 47.2% shooting percentage from 3-point range. Additionally, the Thunder maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second half, stretching their advantage to as much as 24 points in the fourth quarter. The commanding performance elicited enthusiastic chants of “OKC! OKC!” from a contingent of Thunder fans.
The Pelicans, missing star player Zion Williamson due to injury, face an uphill battle as they attempt to avoid elimination in Game 4 at home.
Despite the deficit, Pelicans coach Willie Green remains optimistic, urging his team to regroup and focus on the next game.
“It’s not over,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said of his message to the team. “Look, we’ve got another game here at home and we’re not going to fix all of our issues tonight. Go home, have a good meal and we’ll come back (Sunday) and practice and go over what we need to do and get ready for the next game.”
“You can’t take your foot off the gas no matter what the lead is in a series,” Giddey said. “Neither team looks at this series as over.”
But no team in NBA history has come back from a 3-0 series deficit.
The Pelicans’ struggles persisted in Game 3, particularly in shooting efficiency from the perimeter and turnovers, with 21 turnovers leading to 23 Thunder points.
The Thunder’s momentum surged in the second quarter with a decisive 14-0 run, fueled by key contributions from Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort.
The Thunder’s defensive pressure and efficient scoring allowed them to maintain a comfortable lead, ultimately securing a 60-46 advantage at halftime.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s steal and subsequent free throws in the closing moments of the first half further extended the Thunder’s lead, setting the stage for their convincing victory.
