Participant grades: Thunder 20-point comeback try falls quick in 103-100 loss to Pelicans

OKLAHOMA CITY — With an opportunity to succeed in an unlikely tie, sharpshooter Isaiah Joe had simply sufficient time to heave a turnaround right-wing three-point try.

The shot hit the rim earlier than ricocheting up within the air as the ultimate buzzer sounded for a 103-100 Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

It was an applicable ending to a recreation that noticed the Thunder — who’ve been the most effective offensive-rated crew since Jan. 1 — wrestle to hit photographs. The Thunder as soon as once more failed to succeed in .500, which has been a thematic wrestle this season.

After trailing by as many as 20 factors, the Thunder got here out of halftime and dominated the third quarter with a 22-16 benefit. The Thunder finally reduce the Pelicans’ result in as little as one level however have been by no means in a position to really take a lead.

“Credit score them, they have been extra able to play,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault mentioned. “I assumed they threw the primary punch. They have been extra bodily (and) extra alert within the first quarter.”

It was a sluggish efficiency from each groups as the sport had bother discovering rhythm till the second half.

The Thunder shot 38-of-90 (42.2%) from the sphere and 9-of-33 (27.3%) from 3. In the meantime, the Pelicans shot 39-of-74 (52.7%) from the sphere and 9-of-30 (30%).

Regardless of taking 16 extra photographs than the Pelicans, the Thunder weren’t in a position to benefit from the additional possessions.

With out Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram carried the offensive load as he completed with 34 factors on 14-of-24 capturing and 4 rebounds. Ingram used his lengthy-frame to shoot over Thunder defenders and hit high-difficulty photographs.

“He’s a tricky shot-maker. We’ve seen him try this earlier than,” Daigneault mentioned. “… I assumed what was disenchanted is that he acquired unfastened early… We allowed him to get into a reasonably good rhythm there early. Tip our hat to him late, we guarded him in addition to he may. Definitely not all of his 34 factors have been as earned as they may’ve been.”

It was fairly simple to inform Ingram was going to have a large scoring evening as he scored the primary 12 factors for the Pelicans within the opening 4 minutes.

Jonas Valanciunas completed with 14 factors and eight rebounds whereas Jose Alvarado had 14 factors and performed stellar protection.

Let’s check out Thunder participant grades from this three-point loss.

Credit score: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports activities

You don’t should be a physique language professional to inform Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was pissed off on Monday.

The often super-efficient guard completed with an uncharacteristic 24 factors on 8-of-21 capturing, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. After scoring eight first-quarter factors, Gilgeous-Alexander was held to 16 factors for the remaining three quarters.

Gilgeous-Alexander went 8-of-9 from the free-throw line however may’ve earned extra journeys if a extra foul-friendly crew officiated the sport.

Though don’t inform Gilgeous-Alexander that, as he refused to throw the officers underneath the bus.

“The sport was bodily,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned. “I assumed there have been some missed calls. But it surely occurs. Each evening is basketball. The ref’s make errors. We make errors. It’s a part of the sport.”

Early downhill assault for SGA 😤 pic.twitter.com/kDnPnnFsYw

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) February 14, 2023

Credit score: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports activities

The lone vivid spot of this irritating loss, Jalen Williams continues to shine as a rookie starter for the Thunder.

Williams completed with 22 factors on 9-of-15 capturing, seven rebounds and 4 assists.

Williams did most of his harm contained in the paint, the place he went 7-of-11.

With it being February, most rookies hit a wall at round this level of the season. However that’s not the case for Williams.

“He’s hitting extra of a stride than a wall,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault mentioned. “… He’s been spectacular. He’s acquired a constant strategy. A constant competitor… Issues are slowing down for him.”

The play of this low-scoring affair for the Thunder concerned Williams.

The 21-year-old threw a behind-the-back cross to a trailing Gilgeous-Alexander that reduce the Pelicans result in one level with 2:45 left within the third quarter.

The group went loopy as a Josh Giddey hustle play started the fastbreak with him diving for a unfastened ball.

IT’S SHOWTIME IN OKC 🤯@okcthunder | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/Z0TjfcEWu6

— Bally Sports activities Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) February 14, 2023

Fairly work! 🤌@OGandE Energy Play of the Recreation pic.twitter.com/M2RP2shnHJ

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) February 14, 2023

This Jalen Williams vs Jose Alvarado battle is 🍿@okcthunder | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/QtoAdMeUSo

— Bally Sports activities Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) February 14, 2023

Credit score: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports activities

The Thunder trusted Isaiah Joe to hit the most important shot of the evening and whereas it clanked off the rim, it speaks quite a bit to the accelerated enhancements he’s made this season.

Towards the Pelicans, Joe was the lone exterior capturing menace for the Thunder as he completed with 16 factors on 6-of-13 capturing and went 4-of-11 from 3.

Isaiah Joe from the Paycom Emblem! 😳@okcthunder | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/ntSwduBx44

— Bally Sports activities Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) February 14, 2023

Credit score: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports activities

After a gradual first three quarters, Josh Giddey had a robust end to his recreation. Total, Giddey completed with 17 factors on 8-of-16 capturing, seven rebounds and 4 assists.

Within the fourth quarter, Giddey scored 10 factors on 5-of-9 capturing and helped orchestrate a close to 20-point comeback towards the Pelicans.

Identical to his Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Giddey stepped up when his crew wanted to probably the most in crunch time.

“We dug ourselves a 20-point gap and did an excellent job to get out of it but when we hadn’t put ourselves in that place to start out I feel this recreation may’ve been ours,” Giddey mentioned.

Giddey will get the feed from Okay-Wealthy for the EASY transition bucket 🔥@okcthunder | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/vYqshgmlRd

— Bally Sports activities Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) February 14, 2023