By Bradie Gray
Game one of the 2024 playoffs against the New Orleans Pelicans was grueling for Oklahoma City, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander willed the young Thunder squad to the 94-92 victory.
SGA led all scorers with 28 points, 6 boards, and 4 assists. Alongside him, Jalen Williams played his role as the number two option to perfection with 19 points and 7 rebounds, and Chet Holmgren held his own in his postseason debut, scoring 15 points and grabbing 11 boards.
On the other side, the Zion-less Pelicans showed up to play. Trey Murphy III blindsided everyone with 21 points and CJ McCollum ran the show well with 20 points and 6 assists. Down low, Jonas Valanciunas proved that he’s going to be a problem this series, scoring 13 points and nabbing 20 rebounds.
The low scoring affair certainly proved a few of things to Thunder fans.
Number one, rebounding will be an issue in these playoffs. The Pelicans outrebounded the Thunder 52-44 and had ten more offensive boards than OKC. Multiple fourth quarter possessions for New Orleans had three or more shot attempts in a row, preventing any pulling away for the Thunder.
Number two, their defense has translated to the postseason. The Pelicans shot just 38.5% from the field and 28.2% from three while only getting nine free throw attempts. Couple this with 13 forced turnovers and 7 blocks, and it showed us that the young Thunder can handle the physical side of things.
Finally, SGA is the most valuable player in basketball. There were multiple instances where the Thunder lost rhythm and went cold, some of which led to losing the lead. Showing their youth perhaps. Every time it happened, Shai would spark a run. Whether it be a coast-to-coast layup or an iso at the top of the key, he’d regain the reins for the team. With two minutes left in the game, Thunder down 90-88 having not scored for over five minutes, he rattled off five quick points in a row, including an insane and-1, to retake the lead 93-90. He single-handedly swung the momentum and ultimately the game.
Game one was shades of the 80s with the defense and physicality, but we’ll see if any adjustments from either side will turn up the heat on an already exciting matchup.
