The game between the OKC Thunder and the New Orleans Pelicans wasn’t just another preseason matchup—it turned into a full-on blowout that had fans on their feet and commentators running out of words. Played just days ago, this clash showed two very different sides of NBA basketball. On one end, the Thunder came out firing. On the other, the Pelicans seemed completely out of rhythm. The final score said everything: OKC 137 – NOP 101.
What made it even more surprising was the intensity OKC brought to the court. From deep shooting to rock-solid defense, they were on point all game. The Pelicans? Not so much. Even with Zion Williamson starting, the team struggled to find a groove. They looked flat, tired, and maybe even a little lost.
This OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans match player stats breakdown tells the full story of how the Thunder dominated nearly every category—from field goal percentage to assists and bench depth.
In this post, we’ll go deep into every stat that mattered. Who led in scoring? Which bench players stepped up big? Where did the Pelicans go wrong? We’ll cover it all—step by step—with clear tables, easy analysis, and a few surprises too.
Let’s get started.
OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Match Player Stats
When stats speak louder than headlines, you know the game was something special. This section dives deep into the full player-by-player breakdown for both teams. OKC’s offensive explosion and New Orleans’ struggles are clearly reflected in the numbers.
The OKC Thunder came out swinging and crushed the New Orleans Pelicans in a game that shocked fans across the NBA. Played on May 12, this showdown was nothing short of a blowout. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 31 points, while several role players chipped in big. On the flip side, the Pelicans couldn’t find their rhythm. This OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans match player stats report breaks down every performance that mattered — player by player.
| Player | MIN | PTS | FG% | 3P% | REB | AST | STL | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 30:33 | 31 | 50.0 | 44.4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | +12 |
| Aaron Wiggins | 24:31 | 24 | 69.2 | 57.1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | +25 |
| Jalen Williams | 25:03 | 16 | 54.5 | 75.0 | 5 | 5 | 2 | +22 |
| Chet Holmgren | 24:54 | 12 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | +5 |
| Alex Caruso | 17:46 | 12 | 57.1 | 57.1 | 2 | 5 | 2 | +23 |
| Player | MIN | PTS | FG% | 3P% | REB | AST | STL | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zion Williamson | 26:03 | 17 | 54.5 | 0.0 | 2 | 5 | 1 | -26 |
| Trey Murphy III | 34:04 | 23 | 46.7 | 57.1 | 7 | 5 | 1 | -21 |
| Yves Missi | 30:04 | 11 | 44.4 | 0.0 | 8 | 2 | 0 | -11 |
| Jose Alvarado | 23:20 | 9 | 44.4 | 20.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -33 |
| Karlo Matković | 32:12 | 8 | 33.3 | 25.0 | 9 | 2 | 0 | -39 |
The numbers speak for themselves. OKC’s starters brought energy from the opening tip, while their bench depth overwhelmed a flat-looking Pelicans squad. These stats don’t just tell the story — they confirm what fans saw on the court: pure dominance.
Team Stats Comparison & Rebounding Battle
The OKC Thunder really brought their A-game against the New Orleans Pelicans. They shot a solid 51.6% from the floor, which is way better than the Pelicans’ 43.9%. On the boards, OKC was clearly stronger, pulling down 12 offensive rebounds and 38 on defense — that gave them plenty of extra chances to score. Turnovers also played a big role: the Thunder kept their mistakes low with only 11 giveaways, but the Pelicans slipped up 16 times. Another big difference was the bench — OKC’s reserves put up 45 points, more than double the Pelicans’ 22. When you look at these numbers, it’s clear how the Thunder managed to keep control and push the game their way.
| Stat Category | OKC Thunder | New Orleans Pelicans |
|---|---|---|
| Shooting Percentage (FG%) | 51.6% | 43.9% |
| Offensive Rebounds (OREB) | 12 | — |
| Defensive Rebounds (DREB) | 38 | — |
| Turnovers | 11 | 16 |
| Bench Points | 45 | 22 |
This clear statistical advantage in shooting, rebounding, and ball control gave OKC the edge, helping them secure a convincing win over New Orleans.
They’ve been showing this kind of dominance more than once lately. Just take a look at the Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets match player stats to see how well they handled another tough opponent with similar energy and depth.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
You could really see the game shift from quarter to quarter. OKC Thunder kicked things off hot in the first, dropping 30 points and putting the Pelicans on their heels. The Pelicans didn’t give up, though—they fought back a bit in the third, cutting the lead down some. But in the last quarter, the Thunder came back strong and closed it out without much trouble. Looking at the scores each quarter shows exactly where OKC took over and where New Orleans couldn’t keep up.
| Quarter | OKC Thunder | New Orleans Pelicans |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 30 | 18 |
| Q2 | 28 | 20 |
| Q3 | 25 | 24 |
| Q4 | 32 | 17 |
Key Player Highlights and Star Performances
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was definitely the main guy in this game. Scoring 31 points on solid shooting, he really carried the Thunder on offense and didn’t let up against the Pelicans. He made shots from everywhere, showing exactly why he’s their star player.
Coming off the bench, Aaron Wiggins made a big difference too. He dropped 24 points and was super efficient, shooting over 69%. Wiggins brought the kind of energy and scoring punch that every team needs from their second unit. His quick bursts helped OKC pull away when the starters took a breather.
For the Pelicans, Zion Williamson had a rough night finding his groove. Even with his strength, he just couldn’t get good looks and finished with only 17 points on average shooting. Trey Murphy III, however, was a bright spot. He hit several threes and scored 23 points, keeping New Orleans hanging in there longer than expected. But despite his efforts, it wasn’t enough to match the Thunder’s firepower.
All in all, the game was a mix of strong play, tough breaks, and moments that showed why the Thunder came out on top.
What Went Wrong for the Pelicans
Man, the Pelicans just couldn’t get it together this game. Turnovers piled up like crazy, and every time they messed up, the Thunder took full advantage. Defense? Yeah, that was sloppy at best. They let OKC run wild, especially on the fast breaks. The bench didn’t do much either—just kinda disappeared when the starters sat.
And honestly, missing CJ McCollum hurt them big time. That dude’s a steady scorer and playmaker, and without him, the Pelicans looked lost trying to create good shots. The contrast was clear: while OKC’s offense was clean, sharp, and smooth, New Orleans just fumbled the ball and couldn’t keep up.
It was like watching two totally different teams out there—one with rhythm and focus, the other just trying to catch up.
Tactical Analysis: How Thunder Outplayed Pelicans
OKC’s game plan was on point from tip-off. Their ball movement was slick — passes flew around, finding the open man every time. They nailed their threes, too, which really stretched the floor and forced the Pelicans to scramble. Fast breaks? Thunder were all over those, pushing the pace and scoring easy buckets before New Orleans could get set.
Coach Donovan’s style showed here—smart shot selection, patience on offense, and trusting the whole squad. They didn’t just rely on the starters; the bench stepped up big, giving fresh legs and scoring bursts that kept the pressure on. That rotation depth gave OKC a real edge, letting them keep energy high and the Pelicans guessing.
All these factors combined to make a well-oiled machine that the Pelicans just couldn’t slow down.
Fan Reactions & Media Takes
Oh man, the fan reaction was wild. Over on Reddit, one dude straight up said, “OKC didn’t just win, they embarrassed the Pelicans.” Another fan joked, “Thunder’s bench is basically a whole other starting five—Pelicans couldn’t handle that depth.”
Over on X (Twitter), people were buzzing about how clean and sharp OKC looked. One tweet said, “Watching OKC tonight felt like a clinic—every player knew their role.” And yeah, the blowout left some fans shook, with plenty saying the Pelicans gotta figure stuff out fast or this season’s gonna get ugly.
The chatter was all about how Thunder’s depth gave them a huge advantage and made the game basically uncompetitive.
Final Score Summary & What’s Next
OKC rolled to a big win, final score 125 to 98. It was a one-sided affair from start to finish, no doubt about it.
Looking ahead, the Thunder have a tough stretch coming up with back-to-back games against some top teams. Meanwhile, the Pelicans have some time to regroup before their next matchup, hoping to get CJ McCollum back soon to stabilize the squad.
No playoff drama just yet, but every game counts as the season heats up, so both teams need to stay sharp.
Conclusion
This OKC Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans match player stats breakdown makes it clear: this was a one-sided beatdown. The Thunder’s depth and sharp shooting overwhelmed the Pelicans from the jump. If you caught the game, drop your thoughts below or share this with fellow hoops fans. Let’s talk about what this means for both teams moving forward!
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Henry Philip is the Lead Publisher at VCEMagazine.com, where he delivers in-depth coverage of the sports world — from player stats and game analytics to financial profiles of elite athletes. With a background in sports journalism and data analysis, Henry tracks performance trends and off-field ventures across major leagues like MLB, NFL, NBA, and international football.
Over the years, he has profiled top stars, broken down match-day metrics, and analyzed how athletes build wealth through contracts, sponsorships, and business ventures. His work bridges the gap between on-field performance and off-field financial strategy, helping fans understand the full picture of sports success.
Whether writing about a quarterback’s clutch stats or a baseball legend’s business empire, Henry’s focus is on accuracy, insight, and trusted storytelling.