The Oklahoma City Thunder kicked off their NBA Western Conference first-round playoffs with a bang, edging out the New Orleans Pelicans 94-92 in a heart-stopping Game 1 at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday. 🏀🔥
This game was nothing short of a rollercoaster, featuring a whopping 20 lead changes! Talk about intense! The Thunder soared to a 10-point lead (82-72) in the fourth quarter but hit a rough patch with a five-minute field goal drought. The Pelicans seized the moment, leveling the score at 90-90 with just minutes left on the clock. ⏰
In the final two minutes, the Pelicans had golden opportunities to flip the script. Despite launching four shots in just 28 seconds, the ball just wouldn't drop. 😱 The Thunder held their ground, thanks in part to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA), who battled fiercely against the Pelicans' deep lineup of agile wingmen like Herbert Jones, Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy III, and Naji Marshall. 💪
This clash was way closer than your typical No. 1 vs. No. 8 seed matchup. The Pelicans proved they're no easy prey, showing off the kind of depth and versatility that can keep any top team on their toes. This series is just getting started, and if Game 1 is any indication, we're in for an epic showdown! 😎✨
Reference(s):
NBA highlights on April 21: Thunder beat Pelicans in a close game
cgtn.com
