OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Trey Murphy III scored 23 factors and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame the absence of main scorer Zion Williamson and a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 128-125 in time beyond regulation on Friday night time.
Murphy and CJ McCollum every hit a 3-pointer in the primary two minutes of time beyond regulation to stake the Pelicans to a four-point lead, and Oklahoma City by no means recovered.
“This is a relentless group,” New Orleans coach Willie Green mentioned. “We couldn’t be more proud of what they’re doing. … Tonight was a tough back-to-back, but we just gutted it out. Sometimes you have to do that in this league.
“It’s truly a blessing to have guys bought in to what we’re trying to accomplish. We continue to tell them to stay ready and keep working and their opportunity will come.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 44 factors to go along with 10 rebounds and 6 assists for Oklahoma City, which had a three-game profitable streak finish.
The Thunder had an opportunity whereas trailing 128-125 when McCollum turned the ball over on an inbounds play with 8.7 seconds left, however they missed a pair of 2-point photographs.
New Orleans’ Jaxson Hayes, who scored 21 factors on 8-of-9 taking pictures, missed two free throws with 2.7 seconds left. On the second, the rebound caromed towards midcourt, the place Gilgeous-Alexander corralled it. His 40-foot 3-point try banged off the rim as time expired.
“I thought we did a great job of putting ourselves in position,” Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault mentioned. “The first half, we were completely out of rhythm, with not a lot of energy. I thought we came out at halftime and … hung in there and stuck with it and got on a nice run. We worked to get control of the game. I thought they just out-executed us in the fourth quarter at both ends of the floor — coaches, players, everything.”
Naji Marshall and McCollum every scored 17 factors for the Pelicans, who’ve adopted a four-game skid with wins on back-to-back nights. Williamson additionally sat out Thursday’s win over San Antonio as a consequence of well being and security protocols.
During the third quarter, Oklahoma City steadily reduce what had been a 21-point second-quarter deficit and the Thunder tied the sport at 80-80 on a 3-pointer by Tre Mann with 11:38 left in the sport. That was a part of a 12-3 run to open the fourth quarter, which put the Thunder forward 89-83.
Oklahoma City led 105-96 after two free throws by Gilgeous-Alexander with 4:53 left, however didn’t have a subject aim throughout the closing 2:57 of regulation, permitting New Orleans to rally. Herbert Jones’ basket with 25.4 seconds left tied the sport at 112-all. Mann missed on a driving layup try in the ultimate seconds.
“We just picked up our energy and our defensive effort (in the final minutes),” Green mentioned. “They came out in the second half and they were playing with more force and more pace. I thought the last 4-5 minutes of (regulation), we did a better job of trying to take the ball out of (Gilgeous-Alexander’s) hands.”
After going 2 of 15 from 3-point vary in the primary half, the Thunder completed 13 of 35 from behind the arc. New Orleans completed 13 of 37 from 3-point vary.
New Orleans went 8 of 21 from 3-point vary in the primary half and led by as many as 21 factors after trailing by six early. The Pelicans had been up 64-46 at halftime.
TIP-INS
Pelicans: In addition to Williamson, New Orleans was without starter Larry Nance Jr., who missed a second straight recreation as a consequence of proper Achilles soreness. … McCollum, a game-time determination to play as a consequence of proper calf soreness, began and performed 36 minutes. … Jones scored 15 factors.
Thunder: Gilgeous-Alexander, who entered the sport main the NBA in free-throw taking pictures at 93%, missed each ends of a two-shot alternative in the second quarter. … Josh Giddey had 20 factors, 10 rebounds and 6 assists whereas Aleksej Pokusevski added 17 factors. … The Thunder recalled Mann and Jaylin Williams from the Oklahoma City Blue of the G League.
UP NEXT
Pelicans: Host Indiana on Monday.
Thunder: Host San Antonio on Tuesday.
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