New Orleans Pelicans at Oklahoma City Thunder
· National Basketball AssociationGilgeous-Alexander scores 30 points to help keep Thunder unbeaten, Pelicans winless
Gilgeous-Alexander made 8 of 14 field goals and all 13 of his free throws in 30 minutes to keep the Pelicans winless.
Isaiah Hartenstein had 14 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists for the Thunder, who shot 56% from the field and had eight players score in double figures. Oklahoma City's largest lead was 36 points in the fourth quarter.
The Thunder entered the game ranked last in the NBA in 3-point percentage at just under 30%, but made 20 of 48 (41.7%) against the Pelicans.
Oklahoma City dominated despite three starters from last season’s championship team missing the game. Thunder guard Lu Dort was out with an illness, forward Chet Holmgren missed his third straight game with a lower back sprain and guard/forward Jalen Williams hasn’t played this season as recovers from offseason surgery on his right wrist.
None of that stopped the Thunder from winning their 11th straight matchup with the Pelicans. The Thunder equaled their 7-0 start from last season, when they won the NBA title. Oklahoma City is the third team in league history to start 7-0 in back-to-back seasons, joining the Boston Celtics (1963-65) and Houston Rockets (1993-95).
Zion Williamson had 20 points and nine rebounds and Trey Murphy III added 19 points for New Orleans, which fell to 0-6.
Former Oklahoma star Jeremiah Fears, a rookie, scored 16 points for the Pelicans after getting a warm reception when he was introduced during starting lineups.
The Thunder made 13 of 24 3-pointers in the first half to take a 75-52 lead. Jaylin Williams tied a career high with four 3-pointers in the first half.
The Thunder led 114-90 in the fourth when Kevon Looney hit Oklahoma City's Ajay Mitchell in the face as Mitchell drove to the hoop. After review, Looney was called for a Flagrant-1. Mitchell made both free throws, then hit a floater on the extra possession to make it 118-90.
The Pelicans host the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday.
Regular Season Series
OKC leads series 1-0
Recent Plays
| 4th 0.0 |  |
End of Game | 106 - 137 |
| 4th 0.0 | |
End of the 4th Quarter | 106 - 137 |
| 4th 11.1 |  |
shot clock turnover | 106 - 137 |
| 4th 36.5 | |
Isaiah Joe defensive goaltending violation | 106 - 137 |
| 4th 36.5 |  |
Karlo Matkovic makes 1-foot dunk (Bryce McGowens assists) | 106 - 137 |
Statistics
 NO |
 OKC |
|
|---|---|---|
| 35-80 | FG | 47-84 |
| 44 | Field Goal % | 56 |
| 16-40 | 3PT | 20-48 |
| 40 | Three Point % | 42 |
| 20-32 | FT | 23-26 |
| 63 | Free Throw % | 88 |
| 38 | Rebounds | 42 |
| 12 | Offensive Rebounds | 8 |
| 26 | Defensive Rebounds | 34 |
| 26 | Assists | 33 |
| 6 | Steals | 12 |
| 3 | Blocks | 5 |
| 16 | Turnovers | 11 |
| 1 | Team Turnovers | 2 |
| 17 | Total Turnovers | 13 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 1 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 25 | Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 21 |
| 10 | Fast Break Points | 18 |
| 38 | Points in Paint | 48 |
| 22 | Fouls | 22 |
| 3 | Largest Lead | 36 |
Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries
| NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Jaylin Williams, F | Out | Apr 9 |
| Isaiah Hartenstein, C | Out | Apr 9 |
| Isaiah Joe, G | Out | Apr 9 |
| Alex Caruso, G | Out | Apr 9 |
| Ajay Mitchell, G | Out | Apr 9 |
New Orleans Pelicans Injuries
| NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Zion Williamson, F | Day-To-Day | Apr 10 |
| Yves Missi, C | Day-To-Day | Apr 10 |
| Herbert Jones, F | Day-To-Day | Apr 10 |
| Saddiq Bey, G | Day-To-Day | Apr 10 |
| Karlo Matkovic, F | Out | Apr 10 |
Game Information
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Attendance: 18,203 · Capacity:
2025-26 Southwest Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 San Antonio |
62 | 19 | .765 | - | W3 |
 Houston |
51 | 29 | .638 | 10.5 | W8 |
 New Orleans |
26 | 55 | .321 | 36 | L1 |
 Memphis |
25 | 56 | .309 | 37 | L7 |
 Dallas |
25 | 56 | .309 | 37 | L3 |
2025-26 Northwest Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Oklahoma City |
64 | 17 | .790 | - | L1 |
 Denver |
53 | 28 | .654 | 11 | W11 |
 Minnesota |
47 | 33 | .588 | 16.5 | L1 |
 Portland |
40 | 40 | .500 | 23.5 | L2 |
 Utah |
22 | 59 | .272 | 42 | W1 |
NBA News
Hinson scores a career-high 30 as the Jazz snap a 10-game skid with win over the Grizzlies
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Nuggets win 11th straight, beating Thunder 127-107 in battle of reserves as playoffs approach
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NBA's Friday slate sees at least 168 out with injury or illness
Around the NBA, no fewer than 168 players were held out of Friday's games, including reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and 14 members of the Memphis Grizzlies.
JJ Redick on short-handed Lakers: 'Everybody wants to play us'
Lakers coach JJ Redick believes other West teams that still have their seeding to be determined prefer L.A. as their first-round opponent in the playoffs.