In a nail-biting Game 1 showdown, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showcased his MVP caliber by leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a thrilling 94-92 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s standout performance, including 28 points and the go-ahead basket in the final minute, propelled the top-seeded Thunder to a hard-fought win in their first-round Western Conference playoff series.
Despite missing leading scorer Zion Williamson, the Pelicans put up a strong fight with CJ McCollum (20 points) and Jonas Valanciunas (13 points, 20 rebounds), but ultimately fell short against the relentless Thunder.
The Thunder’s victory was fueled by contributions from Jalen Williams (19 points, 7 rebounds) and rookie sensation Chet Holmgren (15 points, 11 rebounds), who delivered crucial points and defensive plays throughout the game.
