OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points, including the go-ahead basket in the final minute, and the Oklahoma City Thunder, the top team in the Western Conference, defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 94-92 in Game 1 of their playoff series on Sunday night.
New Orleans’ CJ McCollum missed an off-balance 3-pointer in the final seconds and the Thunder held on to win their first playoff game since 2019.
Jalen Williams scored 19 points and Chet Holmgren had 15 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks for the Thunder, who will host Game 2 on Wednesday night.
Trey Murphy III finished with 21 points and McCollum added 20 for the Pelicans. Zion Williamson, New Orleans’ leading scorer in the regular season, sat out with a sore left hamstring.
Gilgeous-Alexander hit an off-balance 3-pointer with 32.5 seconds left to break a 90-all tie and was fouled in the action. With fans chanting “MVP!” He made the free throw to make the game 93-90 with the lead going to Oklahoma City.
A mid-range jumper by McCollum made it 93-92.
Holmgren was fouled with 14 seconds left. He missed the first free throw and made the second to put the Thunder ahead 94-92 and set the stage for McCollum’s final shot.
2024-04-22 04:35:00
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