Thunder narrowly defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 94-92

In a thrilling Game the top-seeded Thunder narrowly defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 94-92, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's clutch performance stealing the spotlight. Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 28 points, including a crucial go-ahead basket in the final minute, sealing the victory for Oklahoma City. Jalen Williams contributed 19 points, while Chet Holmgren impressed with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks.

Despite a strong showing from the Pelicans, including Trey Murphy III's 21 points and CJ McCollum's 20, they fell short in the absence of their leading scorer Zion Williamson, sidelined with a strained left hamstring. The game remained tight throughout, with both teams exchanging leads. Oklahoma City's defense held New Orleans to 34% shooting in the first half, but missed opportunities kept the score close. The Thunder's decisive 11-0 run in the third quarter helped secure the victory, setting the stage for an intense Game 2 showdown.