Pelicans vs. Thunder: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

The New Orleans Pelicans (12-22) play against the Oklahoma City Thunder (20-20) at Paycom Center

Game Time: 7:00 PM EST on Sunday December 26, 2021

New Orleans Pelicans 112, Oklahoma City Thunder 117 (Final)

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Will Guillory @WillGuillory
Josh Hart had 158 points in the paint in the 47 games he played last season.
Josh Hart has 182* points in the paint in 27 games this season. – 11:46 PM Devonte Graham @Devonte4Graham
ALOT of love tonight from JAYHAWK NATION in OKC . Y’all the best !! I love y’all fr 💙 #Beli4ve #Rockchalk4ever – 11:08 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Josh Giddey with a stat line not seen in 50 years.
0 PTS
10 REB
10 AST
He’s the first player with a double-double on zero points since Norm Van Lier in 1971.
(Submitted by @StevieCozens) pic.twitter.com/0yCWnFJY06 – 10:36 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
❝I knew from day one that Wiggs could hoop. He has game… I think him going to the G just built his confidence a little bit, got to work on some things, and now he’s applying them to the NBA game and I expected that from him.❞ pic.twitter.com/0XOxEzSunl – 10:33 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
LIVE: Josh Hart
#WBD | @Verizon twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 10:17 PM Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
SGA on passing James Harden on the all-time scoring Thunder list: “I didn’t know that. I don’t really focus on those things. But it’s cool, for sure.”
Well it’s statistically proven now: SGA > James Harden. – 10:16 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on passing James Harden on the Thunder all time scoring list “I didn’t even know that. It’s cool I guess, I don’t really focus on those kind of things.” – 10:15 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said it “really just comes down to me being aggressive when I get the opportunity.” – 10:14 PM Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
SGA on Aaron Wiggins: “I knew from Day 1 that Wiggs could hoop. He’s got game.” pic.twitter.com/fZQXlrOetJ – 10:13 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Aaron Wiggins going to the G-League “I knew from day one that Wigs could hoop. I think him going to the G, just helped his confidence.” – 10:13 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander “We stayed composed. Made plays when they needed to be made. We did enough to win, that’s what this game is about. Winning.” – 10:12 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
LIVE: Garrett Temple
#WBD | @Verizon twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 10:11 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Aaron Wiggins said “it’s about always being ready” when asked about the next man up mentality “as a team, you have to play together and find ways to do what it takes to win.” – 10:08 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Aaron Wiggins says Josh Giddey is “really good, regardless of his scoring he is really contributing. It’s crazy to think he is only , he is going to be really good.” – 10:06 PM Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Aaron Wiggins on his big night: “It was really fun. My guys found me in open spots.”
Wiggins’ 24 points is the 2nd most of any of the 30 2nd round rookies this season. pic.twitter.com/Cvb3RP4wIJ – 10:05 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Aaron Wiggins “I just try to take everything I go through and learn from it.” – 10:04 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Aaron Wiggins “it was fun for me. Being out there, I was trying to find open windows… Giddey was amazing he found me a couple different times.” Mention’s he is happy with the win of course – 10:04 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl says “we did a great job of executing on both ends of the floor.” – 10:00 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Thunder PR: Tonight, Josh Giddey was scoreless and finished with a double-double of 10 rebounds, 10 assists. This is just the second time in NBA history a player has recorded a double-double with no points. (Norm Van Lier, 01/05/1971) – 9:59 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Aaron Wiggins scored 24 points on 8-of-10 shooting tonight, which is the second-most points scored by a 2021 second-round draft pick. Per Thunder PR – 9:55 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Mark Daigneault on Tre Mann “his test we negative this morning, then he reported symptoms so we tested him again.” Mann entered health and safety protocols after warm ups. – 9:54 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Mark Daigneault on Josh Giddey “A skill when you’re a long minute player, you have to be able to be find some consistently of things you can rely on every night.” Said he thinks Josh was frustrated by the shooting,
“It’s not always going to be sunshine and rainbows.” – 9:53 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Mark Daigneault on Aaron Wiggins “His blue stint was really good in terms of tapping back into how to be aggressive on offense within the flow of what we are doing.” – 9:52 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Pelicans battle throughout after trailing from the opening moments, but Thunder hold on late to post 117-112 home victory.
Read more in the @PanzuraStorage postgame wrap from @Jim Eichenhofer: on.nba.com/3eojRFK – 9:51 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Mark Daigneault on Theo Maledon “Him and Ty really good readiness, they attack the program. They’re ruthlessly consistent in their approach.” Said “I was happy to see them contribute the way they did tonight.” – 9:51 PM Christian Clark @cclark_13
Willie Green said he noticed Brandon Ingram limping and wincing in the first quarter. Ingram asked for a sub.
Green: “I’m sure he’ll get imaging soon, and we’ll know more.” – 9:47 PM Will Guillory @WillGuillory
Willie Green says Brandon Ingram started limping in the first quarter and eventually asked to be pulled from the game.
Green added he wasn’t aware if the Achilles was bothering BI before tonight. Team will probably know more about the severity of the injury tomorrow. – 9:45 PM Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
Willie Green says that he doesn’t know the severity of Brandon Ingram’s Achilles injury but noticed that BI was limping and wincing on the court. BI asked to be subbed out, checking out at the 3:17 mark of the first quarter for good. – 9:43 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
❝We’re slowly developing, slowly figuring it out and growing every game.❞
@NickAGallo 🎤 @Aaron Wiggins pic.twitter.com/7FuQ5oqiIh – 9:43 PM Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_Lopez
Willie Green says he saw Brandon Ingram was limping and wincing and asked for a sub. That’s when they pulled him.
Said team will likely get imaging done soon.
Ingram left the game with left Achilles soreness. – 9:42 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
LIVE: Willie Green
#WBD | @Verizon twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 9:41 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Tonight’s Final Stats
@Josh Hart 29pts, 10reb, 4ast
@Garrett Temple 22pts, 6reb, 1ast
@Jaxson Hayes 15pts, 6reb, 1ast
@Herb Jones 15pts, 6reb, 1ast
@Devonte4Graham 15pts, 2reb, 8ast
#Pelicans | @FDSportsbook pic.twitter.com/nvaQ1mQ4wU – 9:41 PM New Orleans Pelicans PR @PelicansPR
Postgame Interviews (12/26 at OKC):
Willie Green
Josh Hart
Garrett Temple – 9:41 PM Jim Eichenhofer @Jim_Eichenhofer
#Pelicans battle throughout after trailing from the opening moments, but Thunder hold on late to post 117-112 home victory. New Orleans foiled by empty possessions late 4Q with chance to catch OKC. @PanzuraStorage postgame wrap: https://t.co/r55LMIhMfO pic.twitter.com/Bdf0ncHeyD – 9:39 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
📊
@Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 31 PTS, 5 AST, 3 BLK
@luthebeast 13 PTS, 4 STL
@Josh Giddey 10 REB, 10 AST
@Aaron Wiggins 24 PTS, 6 REB
@JCREarl 15 PTS, 7 REB
#ThéoMaledon 12 PTS
@williamskenrich 10 PTS, 5 REB
@tyjerome_ 5 PTS, 3 AST
@dfavors14 2 REB, 2 AST
@aleksejpokusevs 2 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST pic.twitter.com/QYhs9Zvsmn – 9:38 PM Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Josh Giddey is #2 in the NBA among rookie double doubles with 6. Evan Mobley has 7.
Giddey has 3 double doubles in his last 5 games. – 9:37 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
BIG W 📊
Career-high 24 PTS
Career-high 6 REB pic.twitter.com/kHNjNr0TPV – 9:34 PM Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
OKC rookies tonight:
Aaron Wiggins: 24 points on 8-10 shooting
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl: 15 points/7 rebounds/3 3s
Josh Giddey: 10 assists/10 rebound double double – 9:31 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Fought hard tonight, back at it on Tuesday
#Pelicans pic.twitter.com/QWyBqEz9SZ – 9:31 PM Will Guillory @WillGuillory
Final: Thunder 117, Pelicans 112
Hart 29 pts & 10 rebs
Temple 22 pts
Jones 15 pts
Pels have their 4-game winning streak snapped after losing Brandon Ingram in the 1st quarter to an Achilles injury. NOLA showed some good fight, it just wasn’t enough in the end. – 9:31 PM Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_Lopez
FINAL: OKC 117, Pels 112
– Ingram: 9 min, left with left Achilles soreness
– Hart: 29p (most in a Pels uni), 10r, 4a
– GT: 22p, 6r
– Herb: 15p, 6r
– Willy: 14p, 6r
– Jaxson: 15p, 6r
– Graham: 15p, 8a
Pels: 41.5 FG%, 10/40 3P, 24/28 FT
OKC: 47.7 FG%, 13/36 3P, 22/31 FT – 9:31 PM Christian Clark @cclark_13
Final: Thunder 117, Pelicans 112
New Orleans’ four-game winning streak comes to an end without its three leading scorers. – 9:30 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
🎁 pic.twitter.com/UkKMFYpLR9 – 9:29 PM Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Thunder have won 4 of their last 5 games.
Tonight they won while starting three rookies, including two 2nd rounders. – 9:29 PM John Hollinger @johnhollinger
A rare “triple-aught” from Josh Giddey tonight: 0 pts 10 reb 10 ast – 9:29 PM Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_Lopez
OKC rookie Josh Giddey finishes with 0 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
He becomes the second player in NBA history to have a rebound-assist double-double while scoring 0 points joining Norm Van Lier who pulled it off in 1971 (0 points, 13 assists, 11 rebounds). – 9:29 PM Royce Young @royceyoung
Aaron Wiggins and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl are looking like two major wins in the second round for the Thunder. Career-high 24 for Wiggins tonight and JRE with another quality game (15 points, 7 rebounds). JRE was taken 32nd overall, Wiggins 55th. – 9:29 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
THE BEAST SENDS HIS REGARDS pic.twitter.com/48BwIFIWAh – 9:24 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Josh Giddey is a weird player, but in the very best way. – 9:24 PM Jake Madison @NOLAJake
Pelicans fought all game, and without BI it was going to be hard to win. But don’t forget that even with Ingram out there they were down 12 (and OKC led by as many as 17) – 9:24 PM Christian Clark @cclark_13
Sometimes you win, sometimes you get lit up by Aaron Wiggins. – 9:23 PM Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
Looks like the Pelicans are going to lose this one, trailing by 7 (114-107) with less than 24 seconds left. Had some chances to really make things interesting, but missed some very makable shots down the stretch. – 9:22 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
That was beautiful ball movement, it started with Giddey, great job by everyone, escape a foul and put an exclamation point on this game. Big win. – 9:21 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
WOAH WIGG
@Josh Giddey @Aaron Wiggins pic.twitter.com/B3MkPGZPqQ – 9:20 PM Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_Lopez
Pelicans had three chances to cut into the 6-point lead.
– Missed Herb Jones 3
– Missed Trey Murphy 3
– Missed Josh Hart layup.
SGA hits a stepback with 51.4 left to push the lead to 8. – 9:19 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
🌟 TWO WAY SHAI 🌟
@Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/rZJlaZdccE – 9:17 PM Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_Lopez
Pelicans catch a break with Lu Dort getting called for the flagrant foul.
Now it’s 110-104 with 2:32 left and the Pels get a chance to make this a one possession game. – 9:17 PM Jim Eichenhofer @Jim_Eichenhofer
#Pelicans are in trouble but if this is a ruled a flagrant foul on Lu Dort, Graham will get two free throws, then possession of ball. Didn’t look like Dort tried to elbow Graham but it was a bit of a reckless drive. Dort had one earlier that was ruled a block vs. Temple – 9:15 PM Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Aaron Wiggins needs a full NBA contract before the first day of 2022. – 9:15 PM Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
SGA’s finishing ability is so elite he should be a Mortal Kombat character. – 9:12 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
THREES PLEASE
@Jeremiah Robinson-Earl | @Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pic.twitter.com/7FoGm8vd4C – 9:12 PM Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Aaron Wiggins, 5 spots from being undrafted, is the first rookie to score 20 points for the Thunder this season. – 9:12 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Aaron Wiggins. Ice in his veins. – 9:10 PM Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
Josh Hart looked to have been fouled on his drive and then Lu Dort got away with a push on Hart to keep him from getting a steal. – 9:09 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
SGA step backs remain cool – 9:08 PM Scott Kushner @ScottDKushner
Josh Hart and the Four Vet Minimums out here playing damn tough. – 9:06 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
starting Q4 with Hustle 🏃‍
@DevonEnergy 4th Quarter Commitment pic.twitter.com/QWIfRuxgLz – 9:05 PM Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
After seeing Herb Jones complete that pass to Willy Hernangomez, maybe the Saints should sign him as a QB for tomorrow’s game. – 9:00 PM Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_Lopez
Pels taking full advantage of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being on the bench for the early part of the 4th quarter. – 8:59 PM Jim Eichenhofer @Jim_Eichenhofer
Serious persistence and perseverance by #Pelicans tonight. They take lead at OKC with 8 minutes left. Had been trailing since the opening minutes of 1Q – 8:58 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Finished what he started 😤 @Herb Jones pic.twitter.com/hWSRPgZreP – 8:53 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
you wild Shai, keep going tho.
@Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/WzO7eRd1A8 – 8:52 PM Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
3rd Quarter SGA is a real thing.
Shai scores 13 in the third on a variety of beautiful finishes at the rim. – 8:51 PM Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
This week, DJ Wilson went from OKC to Vegas for G League showcase to Chicago for the Raps’ postponed game to LA for Christmas to Cleveland, and he’s off to Toronto tonight.
“Its been an eventful last 4 or 5 days but I’m appreciative for the opportunity & I wouldnt pass up on it” pic.twitter.com/CzkhsIC6fg – 8:49 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
One quarter left to battle it out
#Pelicans pic.twitter.com/89mBEOmkHB – 8:49 PM Will Guillory @WillGuillory
End of the 3rd: Thunder 89, Pelicans 81
Hart 23 pts & 7 rebs
Temple 15 pts & 5 rebs
Hayes 13 pts & 6 rebs – 8:48 PM Scott Kushner @ScottDKushner
Jaxson Hayes is making a huge (positive) impact on this game. – 8:46 PM Will Guillory @WillGuillory
Jaxson Hayes has 13 points and 6 rebounds in 15 minutes after falling out of the rotation earlier in the season.
He said all he wanted was an opportunity to play and gain a rhythm. He’s taking advantage of it tonight.
theathletic.com/3023956/2021/1… – 8:45 PM Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
Really good pass by Trey to hit a wide open Hayes in the middle of the paint. Pelicans have cut the deficit to 84-81 with 1:42 left in the 3rd quarter, though Shai is going to the FT line. – 8:44 PM Jim Eichenhofer @Jim_Eichenhofer
Jared Harper making his #Pelicans debut late 3Q. He has been a career 20.7 ppg scorer in G League – 8:42 PM Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_Lopez
Jared Harper making his Pelicans’ debut.
Speaking of chemistry, he’s played a few games with Jaxson Hayes in the G-League already. Set him up on that play just now that sends Jaxson to the line. – 8:42 PM Will Guillory @WillGuillory
Jared Harper is getting his first minutes of the season here in the 3rd quarter – 8:42 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
COMING THROUGH 🥵 @Herb Jones
📺: @BallySportsNO
📻: @ESPNRadioNOLA pic.twitter.com/rYefCfH5bi – 8:42 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
AARON WIGGINS SAVED BASKETBALL
@Aaron Wiggins | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/PBxaZsDWl3 – 8:41 PM Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
Since going 3-3 from three-point range against the Mavericks on 12/3, Trey Murphy III has connected on just ONE of 17 since, including 0-4 tonight. – 8:38 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
“What isn’t @Josh Hart doing right now?” – @adaniels33
📺: @BallySportsNO
📻: @ESPNRadioNOLA pic.twitter.com/pEf0XijEFy – 8:38 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
nice
@Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/jq9Fsitb7r – 8:36 PM Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Derrick White with a career-best 10 assists tonight (against two turnovers). He previously had nine in five games, including against New Orleans on Dec. 12. – 8:35 PM Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_Lopez
Josh Hart with another 20-point game. That’s 3 in a row for him.
That’s the longest streak for him since he had 5 in a row in the final four games of his rookie season and then one to start off his sophomore campaign. – 8:35 PM Royce Young @royceyoung
Fun stat via the great @NickAGallo: Aaron Wiggins is shooting 100% on 2-pointers (11-11) in his NBA career. I will now be stressing out over every Wiggins 2-point attempt, thanks Nick appreciate it – 8:35 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Quick thinking by @Devonte Graham sets up @Willy Hernangomez for 2⃣
📺: @BallySportsNO
📻: @ESPNRadioNOLA pic.twitter.com/47sszf0xNs – 8:34 PM Will Guillory @WillGuillory
Another transition bucket for Josh Hart. He has 21 points on 8-11 shooting.
It’s his 3rd straight game with 20+ points. – 8:31 PM Jake Madison @NOLAJake
Why stop at Most Improved and not go right for MVP for Josh Hart? – 8:29 PM Christian Clark @cclark_13
Josh Hart keeping the Pels in this game. Some of these finishes at the rim have been insane. – 8:27 PM Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
Josh Hart just doing it all. Rebounding. Scoring. Getting steals. He’s up to 19 points and it feels like he may go for 30+ — Pelicans without 3 of their top 4 scorers.
(Hart’s career-high is 30 points for LAL vs LAC 4/11/18) – 8:25 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
What was the @Socios top moment of the first half? – 8:13 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
how we ended the half: 🚫🚫🌍 pic.twitter.com/L3pgHxvKxE – 8:12 PM Will Guillory @WillGuillory
End of the 1st half: Thunder 57, Pelicans 49
Temple 15 pts
Hart 12 pts
Graham 5 pts
With BI (left Achilles soreness) done for the game, Pels have an uphill battle to keep their 4-game winning streak going. They showed some fight in the 2nd Q, but they need to find some offense – 8:06 PM Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_Lopez
HALF: Thunder 57, Pels 49
– Pels without BI (left game with left Achilles soreness), NAW and Jonas
– Temple: 15p, 6/11 FG
– Hart: 12p, 4/7 FG
Pels: 37.8 FG%, 6/25 3P, 9/10 FT
Thunder: 46.7 FG%, 7/18 3P, 8/9 FT – 8:06 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
At the half in OKC
#Pelicans pic.twitter.com/mN7gZxj3m7 – 8:06 PM Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
OKC’s leading scorer at halftime in a game they’re leading 57-49 is a late 2nd round rookie.
Aaron Wiggins, the #55 overall pick, has 11 points on 5-6 shooting. – 8:05 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
locker room lead pic.twitter.com/IN48GYfCCo – 8:05 PM Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_Lopez
Garrett Temple with 15 points here in the first half. That’s the second most he’s scored in a game all season. His season high is 17. – 8:04 PM Will Guillory @WillGuillory
Garrett Temple has played really well in this 1st half – 8:02 PM Jim Eichenhofer @Jim_Eichenhofer
Doubtful anyone around #NBA will have much sympathy but #Pelicans are now playing without three of their top four scorers (Ingram out rest of game; Valanciunas/NAW were already out). To their credit, they’ve fought back in it at OKC after awful start. BI, JV, NAW 55.2 ppg – 8:02 PM Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
Swear Shai’s extended knee made contact with Josh Hart first on that last drive. Plays like that have often gone against the offense for the Pels, including Hart. 🤷🏻‍ – 7:58 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
icing on the birthday cake 🥳🎂
@Ty Jerome @Aleksej Pokusevski pic.twitter.com/shPvMdfAha – 7:54 PM Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
The Pelicans say Brandon Ingram (Left Achilles Soreness) will not return to tonight’s game in Oklahoma City. – 7:51 PM Christian Clark @cclark_13
Brandon Ingram has been ruled out for the rest of tonight’s game with left Achilles soreness. – 7:51 PM Will Guillory @WillGuillory
Brandon Ingram (left Achilles soreness) will not return to tonight’s game, per the Pelicans.
Big loss for the Pels, who are already down big in OKC. – 7:51 PM Jon Hamm @JonMHamm
OKC is just outworking the Pelicans tonight by a significant factor – 7:50 PM Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_Lopez
Pelicans say Brandon Ingram will not return to the game with left Achilles soreness. – 7:50 PM New Orleans Pelicans PR @PelicansPR
Brandon Ingram (Left Achilles Soreness) will not return to tonight’s game – 7:50 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Jaxson back at it! 💥
📺: @BallySportsNO
📻: @ESPNRadioNOLA pic.twitter.com/BCY7Ayk3vK – 7:47 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
Dorture Chamber in full effect 🔒
4 STL and counting for @luthebeast 📊 pic.twitter.com/7KaIPdcRFr – 7:46 PM Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_Lopez
Theo Maledon from 3 before tonight: 3-of-27
Theo Maledon from 3 tonight: 2-of-3 – 7:46 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Left-handed block by @Josh Hart 🔥
📺: @BallySportsNO
📻: @ESPNRadioNOLA pic.twitter.com/B1i6ZSUShl – 7:45 PM Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
“Kenrich Williams looks like a different player when he plays the Pelicans.”
Antonio Daniels couldn’t have hit the nail on the head any harder. – 7:42 PM Christian Clark @cclark_13
Pelicans trail Thunder 32-18 after one. New Orleans has gotta do a better job running its offense, by which I mean giving the ball to Devonte’ Graham and letting him chuck 60 footers. – 7:39 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Kicking things off on the road

#Pelicans pic.twitter.com/QqINWr30Dn – 7:38 PM Will Guillory @WillGuillory
End of the 1st: Thunder 32, Pelicans 18
Hart 5 pts
Temple 5 pts
Pels shot 7-24 from the field, 3-13 on 3s. They also gave up 12 points off 7 turnovers. That had to be one of the worst starts for this team in a while. – 7:37 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
Gid in while the Giddey is good
@Josh Giddey @Jeremiah Robinson-Earl pic.twitter.com/WqIt3vETAP – 7:35 PM Eliot Clough @EliotClough
This is a Jaxson Hayes we haven’t seen in a while – 7:30 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
💥JAXSON HAYES💥
📺: @BallySportsNO
📻: @ESPNRadioNOLA pic.twitter.com/cJwcgcuTd4 – 7:29 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
it starts on defense
@Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/UtorhSh2Ac – 7:25 PM Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
Lu Dort has 4 steals in the first 7:30 of this game. Shai was 1 steal and 2 blocks. They’re absolutely dominating the Pelicans. – 7:24 PM Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Tre Mann is out (health and safety protocols).
*sigh* – 7:23 PM Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
Thunder guard Tre Mann (health and safety protocols) has been ruled out mid-game. – 7:23 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
rook to rook to rook pic.twitter.com/9KqMZzNKqU – 7:23 PM Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Tre Mann is out (health and safety protocols) PER Thunder PR – 7:22 PM Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
Pelicans losing 15-3 to Thunder out of the gates. OKC has been perfect. New Orleans just the opposite.
Where’s the darn reset button? – 7:17 PM Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_Lopez
Feels like it’s been a while since we’ve seen such a lackadaisical start from New Orleans.
OKC jumps out to a 15-3 lead. – 7:15 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
Josh does this in real life 🏆
Your OCT/NOV Western Conference Rookie of the Month! pic.twitter.com/gOJybx8oRK – 7:07 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Who’s rocking these post-Christmas kicks tonight?
#WBD | @spacerunnersnft – 7:06 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
30 minutes till tip-off!
#Pelicans pic.twitter.com/mxh0oCzoFs – 6:30 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
hope Roast Beast wasn’t on your holiday menu 😥 pic.twitter.com/mHMLFS7zye – 6:29 PM Christian Clark @cclark_13
Starters
Devonte’ Graham
Josh Hart
Brandon Ingram
Herb Jones
Willy Hernangomez – 6:21 PM Will Guillory @WillGuillory
Pelicans Starters tonight:
Devonte’ Graham
Josh Hart
Brandon Ingram
Herb Jones
Willy Hernangomez – 6:21 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Tonight’s starters vs. OKC
#WBD | @Verizon pic.twitter.com/3xAIru08vi – 6:20 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Enjoy exclusive content including stats, breaking news, analysis, and much more
🤳 https://t.co/KUYqTJKPGo
#Pelicans | @Verizon pic.twitter.com/sOvHHm1Kkj – 6:15 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
stand out on the hardwood 🏀
stand out in hardwood 🪵 pic.twitter.com/JQDNraG3yN – 5:57 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Make your Pelicans Pick N’ Roll predictions before halftime for a shot at a $200 team shop gift card courtesy of @CaesarsRewards! 💰
Check it out on the home page of the Pelicans app: https://t.co/2LbNOG6ixX pic.twitter.com/VswASifBYC – 5:45 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
LIVE: Coach Willie Green addresses the media ahead of tonight’s game in OKC
#WBD | @Verizon twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 5:31 PM Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
Willie Green is a fan of breaking down campaigns into 10-game blocks and he should like what he sees. The Pelicans have been trending up ever since a disastrous 1-12 start, with the offense and defense playing well together for the first time this season over last few games. pic.twitter.com/EKJIfc8Ag4 – 5:27 PM Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Mark Daigneault is choosing to wait until game time to announce the Thunder starters. – 5:27 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Back at it tonight in OKC 📍
#UltraDrip | @MichelobULTRA pic.twitter.com/nmsV0yhFCa – 4:37 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
Just 11 days removed from its last matchup against New Orleans, the Thunder has since logged four games against high-level opponents and carried away valuable lessons from each contest.
@OUHealth Game Day Report
📝 | https://t.co/kCZUHDpRhU pic.twitter.com/rupTxjxdOm – 4:15 PM Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
Our man @JamesDJackson15 will have Thunder-Pelicans coverage for us tonight. Give him a follow.
I’ll be back on the beat Tuesday in Sacramento. – 3:01 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Kwanzaa! pic.twitter.com/pl6oPVh763 – 1:41 PM Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
New Orleans Pelicans to sign Justin James
sportando.basketball/en/new-orleans… – 1:39 PM Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
The Pelicans are signing forward Justin James of NBA G League’s Canton Charge on a 10-day hardship deal, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. James is a former Kings second-round pick and spent the past two seasons in Sacramento. – 1:12 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
Sunset Sunday
𝘛𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘷𝘴. 𝘗𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘴
🎟 | https://t.co/hMckdT5u2s
📍 | Paycom Center
🕖 | 6:00PM CT
📺 | @BallySportsOK pic.twitter.com/rkgBenNpxG – 1:02 PM