3 Takeaways on OKC Thunder’s tough loss vs Pelicans

No time to let up

OKC Thunder led 47-25 in the second quarter in a commanding start that saw the team play tremendous offense and defense while sharing the ball and executing their marquee sets to create advantages. From there, the Thunder fell flat, failing to deliver on their offensive sets and finding it difficult to contain the Pelicans’ paint incursions and newfound rhythm from the three-point line.

One negative that stood out was the apparent tunnel vision the Thunder players had once the comfortable margin was intact. There were ill-advised shots that were taken too early in the shot clock. Some were awful shot selections that could have been refined if they reversed the ball to the other side or at least generated some paint touches.

Be that as it may, these sequences are what the Thunder need to experience. Young teams have a steep learning curve before elevating to contention status. Nevertheless, it was a loss that tested the team’s attrition.

It was a learning experience not just for the team but also for the Thunder’s fanbase. It was a harsh reminder that there is still a lot of work ahead for this young OKC crew, and the ride will be bumpy sometimes.

At the end of the day, the process remains a priority, even if the results are different from what one may hoped.