The OKC Thunder moves to 2-4 on the season with an impressive two-way effort to beat the New Orleans Pelicans. Player grades provide insight into the win.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets the early bragging rights at the next family function in Hamilton as his OKC Thunder seemingly switched personas with the upbeat New Orleans offense.
Coming into the match the Pelicans sported one of the better offenses while OKC has one of the better defenses. Presumably one side was going to have to master the other’s advantage to capture the all-important win. However, in a complete role reversal, it was the Thunder showcasing their offense, particularly via the young guns on the squad.
From the start, it was clear the team was dialed in to be aggressive offensively. By the half, the Thunder led 65-60 which is relevant given OKC had registered less than 100 points in three of their previous five matches.
Whether SGA was motivated by having his cousin Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the house or not he sure made an early statement scoring 20 points in the first half. Likewise, Hamidou Diallo came out like a rocket scoring 12 points himself which led to Billy Donovan starting him in the third quarter.
Both teams were without core contributors as we continue to play the Where’s Waldo version of Where’s Andre Roberson. Plus Steven Adams missed another game nursing his knee contusion. As for the Pelicans, they were without rookie star Zion Williamson but also were without Derrick Favors and E’Twaun Moore.
There were plenty of highlights and reasons to get excited about this match — I even got my Deonte Burton sighting. And, as per usual when Donovan frees up Burton — good things happen!
Let’s take a look at the player grades from the match.