NBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Shines as Thunder Narrowly Defeat Pelicans in Playoff Opener

In a nail-biting finish, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 94-92 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, kicking off their Western Conference first-round playoff series on a high note. The game, characterized by its intense closing minutes, saw Gilgeous-Alexander make crucial plays that underscored his growing reputation as a clutch performer.

As the game neared its climax, the Thunder experienced a scoring drought, going more than five minutes without a field goal. This allowed the Pelicans to gain an upper hand with a 90-88 lead.

However, Gilgeous-Alexander’s late-game heroics began with a smooth pull-up jumper at the 1:36 mark, tying the game. He then sliced through the defense to score a floater while being fouled, completing the three-point play to push the Thunder ahead, 93-90, with just 32.5 seconds remaining on the clock.

The Pelicans’ Trey Murphy III led his team with 21 points, followed closely by CJ McCollum who added 20 points. Jonas Valanciunas was formidable under the hoops, grabbing 20 rebounds and scoring 13 points. For the Thunder, aside from Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams contributed significantly with 19 points, helping secure their narrow win.

The Milwaukee Bucks, led by Damian Lillard’s 35-point onslaught—all scored in the first half—defeated the Indiana Pacers 109-94. Lillard’s sharpshooting helped the Bucks establish a dominant lead early on.

Khris Middleton also made a significant contribution with 23 points, ensuring the Bucks maintained their lead throughout the game. The Pacers struggled from the three-point line, which contributed to their downfall, despite Pascal Siakam’s impressive 36 points and 13 rebounds.

The Boston Celtics showed their championship credentials with a convincing 114-94 victory over the Miami Heat. Jayson Tatum notched a triple-double with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, leading the Celtics’ balanced attack. The Celtics’ defensive efforts were notable, limiting the Heat to just 32.4% shooting from three-point territory. Derrick White also added 20 points for the Celtics, who took an early lead in the series.

Even without Kawhi Leonard, the Los Angeles Clippers managed a 109-97 win over the Dallas Mavericks. James Harden led the scoring with 28 points, while Ivica Zubac set a playoff career-high with 20 points and 15 rebounds.

The Clippers’ defense was particularly effective, holding the Mavericks to only eight points in the second quarter. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving combined for 64 points for Dallas, but their efforts were not enough to overcome the Clippers’ strategic play.

As the playoffs progress, the intensity is expected to ramp up, with teams vying for a spot in the next round. The Thunder, Bucks, Celtics, and Clippers have all set the tone for what promises to be an exhilarating postseason.