Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points in three quarters as the Oklahoma City Thunder cruised to a 137-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night.
The Thunder improved to an NBA-best 43-9 with their sixth straight win, while the Pelicans fell to a Western Conference-worst 12-41. Oklahoma City set a franchise record with 27 made three-pointers, hitting 49% of its 55 attempts.
Aaron Wiggins added 24 points off the bench, and Jalen Williams contributed 16 for Oklahoma City. Chet Holmgren, in his second game back from injury, finished with 12 points, six rebounds, and five blocks in 25 minutes.
Trey Murphy III led New Orleans with 23 points, and Zion Williamson had 17. Playing without CJ McCollum and Dejounte Murray, the Pelicans struggled to keep pace with the Thunder’s high-powered offense.
Oklahoma City built a 72-50 halftime lead after making 14 three-pointers in the first two quarters. The team nearly matched that in the second half, draining 13 more from deep.
The Thunder’s defense forced 23 turnovers, turning them into 40 points. Holmgren anchored the paint, while Oklahoma City’s perimeter pressure limited the Pelicans’ ball movement.
The Thunder bench played a key role, scoring 31 points in the first half alone. Wiggins made two three-pointers before halftime, and Alex Caruso hit four threes while adding 12 points.
