Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 points and the top-ranked Thunder beat the New Orleans Pelicans 124-92 to take a 2-0 series lead.
Chet Holmgren had 26 points and seven rebounds and Jalen Williams added 21 points for the Thunder, who shot 59 percent from the field and made 14 of 29 3-point attempts.
Jonas Valanciunas scored 19 points and Herb Jones and Brandon Ingram added 18 each for the Pelicans.
In Game 1, Valanciunas grabbed 20 rebounds, including nine offensive, and the Pelicans outscored the Thunder 52-44. Oklahoma City outrebounded New Orleans 37-35 on Wednesday and held the Pelicans to eight offensive rebounds.
The Pelicans continued to struggle offensively without leading scorer Zion Williamson, who remained out with a left hamstring strain. Ingram, New Orleans’ No. 2 scorer in the regular season, shot just 10 times in Game 2, thanks in part to Lu Dort’s defense.
Game 3 will be played Saturday in New Orleans.
2024-04-25 06:28:04
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