Thunder vs Pelicans recap: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC roar to 3-0 lead in NBA playoffs

Joel Lorenzi, Justin Martinez and Jeff Patterson, The Oklahoman

No. 1-seeded OKC continues its first-round playoff series against No. 8 New Orleans with Game 3 at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in New Orleans.

The Thunder holds a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. It earned a 124-92 home win over the Pelicans in Game 2 on Wednesday.

Here's what you need to know about the matchup:

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Thunder vs. Pelicans live score updates of Game 3 in NBA playoffs

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Thunder vs. Pelicans highlights of Game 3 in NBA playoffs

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FINAL: Thunder 106, Pelicans 85 | OKC goes up 3-0 in first round of Western Conference playoffs

The Thunder takes a convincing 3-0 lead in the series after a 106-85 win here in New Orleans. OKC chants echoing through a hallowed Smoothie King Center. Shai, Giddey and Chet all score at least 21 points. OKC shoots 48.2% FG, 47.2% from 3.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

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End 3Q: Thunder 85, Pelicans 66 | OKC is one quarter away from 3-0 series lead

Ingram's hits a wild shot with Dort quite literally under him to make it 85-69 after 3. A break in the momentum after Jalen Williams went on a shotmaking spree to end the quarter. OKC is 14 for 29 (48.3%) from 3. Just beating NO over the head with shot after shot.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

4:09 left in 3Q: Thunder 76, Pelicans 64 | Chet Holmgren stuffing New Orleans at rim

Chet Holmgren has three blocks, each a message-sending denial for any Pelican heading into the paint.

Half: Thunder 60, Pelicans 46 | Lu Dort is a problem for New Orleans

OKC shot 66.7% from the floor and made all 4 of its 3s in the quarter. Dort, Shai and Jalen Williams each scored at least eight points in the period. Ingram and McCollum a combined 5 for 19.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

2:55 left in 2Q: Thunder 49, Pelicans 39 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC on a 9-0 run

Just a backbreaking stretch run by OKC. A Shai end-of-clock step back 3, a Dort 3 above the break, Chet meets Murphy at the rim to block a slam attempt, Dort drills another in the corner. Now 49-39 Thunder. Murphy looked like he wanted to fight Marc Davis otw to the huddle.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

End 1Q: Thunder 23, Pelicans 19 | Lu Dort's defense on Brandon Ingram has been stellar

Thunder ahead 23-19 after 1. Survived the time without JDub behind a really good stretch from Cason Wallace (5 pts, 2 stls). Shotmaking hasn’t been a thing. Dort still in BI’s grill, NO making OKC work harder than it did it Game 2. Pels shooting 36.4% FG, OKC at 38.1%.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Jalen Williams (eye) exits the game in the first quarter but returns

OKC’s Jalen Williams exited the game in the first quarter with an eye injury.

The second-year forward suffered the injury while attempting a layup on the Thunder’s opening possession. He checked out at the 11:27 mark and briefly went to the locker room, but he checked back in with 53.1 seconds left in the quarter.

Williams is a key contributor for OKC. He averaged 20 points, six rebounds and 5.5 assists in the first two games of the playoff series.

—Justin Martinez, Staff writer

Mark Daigneault credits Shai Gilgeous-Alexander before Thunder-Pelicans Game 3

Asked who inspired his creativity in halfcourt sets, Mark Daigneault bluntly says "Shai." "It's just all based on the players. It's based on the personnel you have. He was the guy that could generate a lot of stuff. And then over time ... we've had guys with different strengths that we've tried to figure out a way to feature and leverage."

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Pelicans coach Willie Green says New Orleans is 'confident' heading into Game 3

Willie Green, asked what the Pelicans’ morale is like right now: “Confident, ready to go. They won two games on their home floor. They’re the No. 1 seed, they’re supposed to do that.”

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans NBA playoffs Game 3 prediction

It feels like New Orleans' best chance to take a game in this series was in Game 1.

But OKC managed to earned a 94-92 victory despite not playing its best basketball, and it looked sharper in Game 2. The Thunder earned a 124-92 win on a night when it shot 59% from the floor (48.3% from deep).

Now New Orleans is back home, where it only went 21-19 during the regular season. That's the worst home record of all the playoff teams.

Prediction: Thunder 111, Pelicans 105

Game 3: How to watch OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans

  • Date: Saturday, April 27

  • Time: 2:30 p.m. CT

  • TV: Bally Sports Oklahoma, TNT/TruTV

  • Live Stream: Fubo (watch for free)

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Injury report for OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans

OKC Thunder injury report

None

New Orleans Pelicans injury report

Zion Williamson (hamstring strain) is out.

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Projected OKC Thunder starting lineup

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.2 APG)

  • Josh Giddey (12.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 4.8 APG)

  • Lu Dort (10.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.4 APG)

  • Jalen Williams (19.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.5 APG)

  • Chet Holmgren (16.5 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.4 APG)

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Projected New Orleans Pelicans starting lineup

  • CJ McCollum (20 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.6 APG)

  • Herb Jones (11 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1 APG)

  • Trey Murphy III (14.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.2 APG)

  • Brandon Ingram (20.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 5.7 APG)

  • Jonas Valanciunas (12.2 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.1 APG)

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OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans playoff series schedule

  • Game 1:OKC 94, New Orleans 92

  • Game 2:OKC 124, New Orleans 92

  • Game 3: At 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27 (TNT) in New Orleans

  • Game 4: TBD Monday, April 29 in New Orleans

  • Game 5 (If necessary): TBD Wednesday, May 1 in OKC

  • Game 6 (If necessary): TBD Friday, May 3 in New Orleans

  • Game 7 (If necessary): TBD Sunday, May 5 in OKC

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OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans regular-season series record

OKC won the regular-season series, 2-1. The Thunder won the final two meetings by an average of 15.5 points.

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OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans NBA playoffs Game 3 betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Saturday, April 27

  • Spread: OKC (-1.5)

  • Over/under: 209.5

  • Moneyline: OKC -120 | New Orleans +100

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2024 NBA playoffs

Play-in tournament picks: Lakers at Pelicans | Warriors at Kings | Heat at 76ers | Hawks at Bulls | Kings at Pelicans | Bulls at Heat

First-round picks: Celtics vs Heat | Knicks vs 76ers | Bucks vs Pacers | Cavaliers vs Magic | Thunder vs Pelicans | Nuggets vs Lakers | Timberwolves vs Suns | Clippers vs Mavericks

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder vs Pelicans recap: OKC takes 3-0 series lead in NBA playoffs

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