The New Orleans Pelicans fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-89 in game four of the first round Western Conference Playoff series on Monday night inside the Smoothie King Center. The loss ends the series 4-0 and ends the season for the Pelicans.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The game began in somewhat similar fashion to the rest of this series: with struggling offenses. The defensive intensity was there and again the teams were struggling from the outside, much like game one.
No player on either side had more than six points in the opening quarter, and the teams shot a combined 5-23 from three-point range. By the end of the period, the game was tied at 21.
The second quarter was more of the same in many ways. Each team struggled with turnovers, and three-point shooting was off as well. Jalen Williams started to take over offensively for the Thunder, and he ended the half with 13 points. For the Pelicans, Jonas Valanciunas led scorers with eight. The Thunder held a one-point lead at 44-43 at the half.
In the third quarter, the offenses started to find their way to the free throw line. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 10 in the quarter, including three of four from the line. For the Pelicans, Naji Marshall was a spark off the bench, contributing six in the period. Still, neither team could pull away, and the Pels carried a 71-70 lead into the final period.
New Orleans started off hot in the fourth, and at one point got their lead to five points. With under nine minutes to play, OKC made a run, tying the game up on a quick 5-0 run. Then, they took a lead of their own due to finally knocking down a few outside shots.
With just over four minutes to play, Williams hit a straight-away three to make it 88-82 and give the Thunder control of the game. Overall, it was a 17-2 run during this stretch that got the Thunder lead to 11 at 93-82. The Pelicans fell by a final of 97-89.
BIG NUMBER: 8
Brandon Ingram struggled from the opening tipoff. He was held to 2-14 from the field, scoring just eight points. His offensive inefficiency in this series hindered the Pels, who were also without Zion Williamson.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jalen Williams
Williams stepped up in a big way, scoring 24 points for the Thunder in the closeout game. He also added eight rebounds and four assists, leading the way for the OKC sweep.
UP NEXT: The Pelicans season comes to a close with the 4-0 series sweep by the Thunder.