NBA

Oklahoma City Thunder at New Orleans Pelicans

· National Basketball Association
14-1, 8-1 Away
Final
126 - 109

2-12, 1-6 Home

Holmgren scores 26 as the Thunder roll to a 126-109 win over the reeling Pelicans

SGA knocks down the 3-pointer

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 points and Lu Dort 17 for the Thunder, who set a franchise record for points in a quarter with 49 in the first. Isaiah Hartenstein added 16 points for Oklahoma City, which won its sixth straight for a 14th victory in 15 games to open the season.

Rookie guard Jeremiah Fears scored a season-high 24 and Trey Murphy III added 18 points for the Pelicans, who've lost six straight for the second time in their first 14 games, and two straight since interim coach James Borrego took over in the wake of Willie Green's firing on Saturday.

New Orleans played without Zion Williamson (hamstring) who missed his ninth game this season. Saddiq Bey (left ankle) also was scratched for New Orleans. Rookie Micah Peavy scored a season-high 16 points for the Pelicans in a reserve role.

Oklahoma City led by 10 less than three minutes into the game and by 20 before eight minutes had elapsed.

The Pelicans committed six turnovers in the first six minutes, at which point the Thunder, leading 24-8, had 13 points off turnovers.

When Brandon Carlson's free throws made it 36-11, Oklahoma City had scored on 15 of their previous 17 possessions.

After the first quarter closed with Oklahoma City leading 49-24, the second quarter was somewhat more competitive. The Pelicans, who shot 52.6% during the first 24 minutes, trimmed their deficit to 13 by halftime, at 69-56.

But the Thunder outscored the Pelicans 24-11 during the opening seven minutes of the third period, leading 93-67 after Holmgren followed up a 3 with a cutting dunk.

Up next Thunder: Hosts the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.

Pelicans: Host the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.

Regular Season Series

OKC leads series 2-0

Recent Plays

4th 0.0 End of Game 120 - 109
4th 0.0 End of the 4th Quarter 120 - 109
4th 1.1 Jeremiah Fears makes driving layup 120 - 109
4th 6.2 shot clock turnover 120 - 107
4th 30.2 Bryce McGowens personal foul 120 - 107

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/okc.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originOKC https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/no.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originNO
43-87 FG 42-86
49 Field Goal % 49
17-42 3PT 12-28
40 Three Point % 43
23-28 FT 13-15
82 Free Throw % 87
38 Rebounds 35
13 Offensive Rebounds 12
25 Defensive Rebounds 23
30 Assists 21
12 Steals 9
6 Blocks 4
16 Turnovers 20
2 Team Turnovers 2
18 Total Turnovers 22
0 Technical Fouls 1
0 Total Technical Fouls 1
0 Flagrant Fouls 0
30 Points Conceded Off Turnovers 31
9 Fast Break Points 9
52 Points in Paint 48
20 Fouls 26
30 Largest Lead 0
New Orleans Pelicans New Orleans Pelicans Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Dejounte Murray, G Out Jan 7
Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Alex Caruso, G Out Jan 26
Cason Wallace, G Day-To-Day Jan 26
Isaiah Hartenstein, C Out Jan 26
Ajay Mitchell, G Out Jan 26
Jalen Williams, G Out Jan 19

Game Information

Smoothie King Center

Location: New Orleans, LA
Attendance: 13,757 · Capacity:

2025-26 Northwest Standings

TEAM W L PCT GB STRK
Oklahoma City 37 10 .787 - L2
Denver 31 15 .674 5.5 W2
Minnesota 28 19 .596 9 W1
Portland 23 24 .489 14 L2
Utah 15 31 .326 21.5 L2

2025-26 Southwest Standings

TEAM W L PCT GB STRK
San Antonio - 15 L1 0.67391306 31
Houston 2 16 W2 0.6363636 28
Dallas 12 27 L1 0.41304347 19
Memphis 12 26 L3 0.4090909 18
New Orleans 20 36 W2 0.25 12
Full Standings

NBA News

Fantasy basketball picks, DFS and betting tips for Tuesday's NBA games

Fantasy basketball picks, DFS and betting tips for Tuesday's NBA games

Eric Moody breaks down Tuesday's NBA games and offers his top fantasy streamers as well as his favorite bets and DFS plays.

NBA buzz: Latest updates, trades, intel ahead of Feb. 5 deadline

NBA buzz: Latest updates, trades, intel ahead of Feb. 5 deadline

Catch up on the latest buzz, trade alerts and league intel from our ESPN NBA insiders.

Caitlin Clark joins 'Sunday Night Basketball' for 2 NBA games

Caitlin Clark joins 'Sunday Night Basketball' for 2 NBA games

The Fever's Caitlin Clark will appear two nights on NBC's 'Sunday Night Basketball' for pregame coverage of the Lakers-Knicks on Feb. 1 and then will return for another pregame show on March 29 when the Knicks visit the Thunder.

Why Stephen A. is hesitant about Lakers as legit title contenders

Why Stephen A. is hesitant about Lakers as legit title contenders

Stephen A. Smith breaks down what is holding the Lakers back from being legit title threats.

Bulls' mascot picks new number after Rose's jersey retirement

Bulls' mascot picks new number after Rose's jersey retirement

Benny the Bull had worn No. 1 since 1969. In honor of Derrick Rose's jersey retirement, the beloved mascot decided to enter a new era.