SGA’s career-high 44 points not enough to complete comeback in 128-125 OT loss to Pelicans
In a 128-125 defeat, the Oklahoma City Thunder could not complete the 21 point comeback against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Just like it’s been the story all season long, the Thunder used a strong third quarter to make a run and force the Pelicans to earn a win. It was clear to see why the Thunder are the most popular team in third quarter net rating, at 13.8. They outscored the Pelicans 31-16 over the 12-minute period.
The Thunder had 25.1 seconds to go in a tied game and still had a chance at winning the game. Tre Mann — who recently returned from a dominating two-game trip at the G League — had a chance to end his adventurous three days with a game-winner.
Mann instead spent 25 seconds on the drain and missed a driving layup.
To the Pelicans’ credit, the final play was designed for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — who scored a career-high 44 points. They were able to deny Gilgeous-Alexander possession of the ball and Mann was forced to take the last shot.
Due to a 15-8 run at the start of the five-minute period, the Pelicans would win overtime.
The rest of the Pelicans roster was able to step up without Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson.
Seven of the 10 Pelicans’ players scored double-digit points. Trey Murphy III was the leader with 23 points, and Jaxson Hayes had 21. CJ McCollum scored 17 points and had 11 assists, completing a double-double.
Let’s take a look at Thunder player grades.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A+
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Shai Gilgeous Alexander was finally able pass 42 points. He scored 44 points on 17-of-30 shooting and went 7 of 9 from the free throw line.
Gilgeous-Alexander had scored 42 points in three different games during his career before tonight.
Gilgeous Alexander continues to make high-efficient games look ordinary as he expands on his All Star bid.
Gilgeous-Alexander was fantastic on Friday and it’s just a shame it came in a losing effort.
Josh Giddey on A
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Did you recall when Josh Giddey was sitting during critical moments in the fourth-quarter of close games earlier this year?
That feels like a distant memory as Giddey has done a phenomenal job at turning his season around and adjusting to other teams’ adjustments to him.
Giddey scored 20 points on 9-of-15 shots and grabbed 10 rebounds, six assists, and a total of nine steals.
Giddey has averaged 15.8 points, 50% shooting, 9.4 boards and 5.6 assists over nine games in December. The second-year guard has impressive stats.
Aleksej Pokusevski: B
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Aleksej Pokouski shot with an injured eye and had one his best shooting performances of the season.
Pokusevski scored 17 points on 7-11 shooting. He also went 3-of-5 with his 3. Pokusevski added six rebounds and four steals to his stat line. He also had three assists.
Pokusevski, outside of Giddey-Alexander and Gilgeous–Alexander, had the Thunder’s best night. This is especially impressive when you consider that he was in foul trouble most of the night, and ended up with five fouls.
Jalen Williams: B
Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Wilkins played a good game for his age.
Williams slowly became a regular in the Thunder’s starting lineup. He finished with 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Williams was placed on the bench to start the second period, and Lindy Wassers III was at his place with the rest.
This has been a popular move by Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault this season — where he starts the second half with someone different for certain guys.
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