New Orleans Pelicans vs OKC Thunder head-to-head season stats, last 5 games and more for NBA Playoffs 2024
The New Orleans Pelicans’ reward for surviving the hellish play-in tournament is a date with the OKC Thunder in the playoffs. On Sunday, the Pelicans will open the first-round series on the road without franchise cornerstone Zion Williamson. “Zanos” has been shelved for at least two weeks after straining his left hamstring against the LA Lakers on Tuesday.
The Thunder vaulted to the top of the Western Conference after the Denver Nuggets fumbled the chance to own the top seed. Oklahoma is the youngest team in the NBA but everybody has been impressed by its big-game poise and composure. They will be tested by the Pelicans even if Williamson will only play cheerleader.
The New Orleans Pelicans lost twice in three regular-season meetings against the OKC Thunder. Although both teams have thrown those head-to-head showdowns out the window, there might be something they can take away from those matches. Basketball fans might be interested to see how they stacked up against each other before their playoff series starts.
New Orleans Pelicans vs OKC Thunder head-to-head numbers this season
Except for the second game, where the OKC Thunder bludgeoned the New Orleans Pelicans 107-83 the duel between the two have been quite close. New Orleans won 110-106 in the first meeting before Oklahoma captured the series with a 119-112 squeaker in the third encounter.
The OKC Thunder are the significantly better team when it comes to shooting and are dominant inside the shaded line. Oklahoma’s edge in paint scoring is quite surprising considering the Pelicans’ massive frontline featuring Jonas Valanciunas and Zion Williamson. With “Zanos” out, OKC’s advantage could be a series-shifting upper hand.
Pelicans-Thunder overall numbers this season
Where the Pelicans and the Thunder right now in the Western Conference ladder were a result of a marathon that lasted 82 games. In New Orleans’ case, it took them more than that to earn the No. 8 seed and final ticket to the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
Here’s how both teams stacked up against the rest of the league:
Will the Pelicans be able to overcome Zion Williamson’s injury?
Just when Zion Williamson showed he wasn’t scared of pressure-packed situations, his hamstring complained again. The bullstrong power forward was finishing a signature performance against the LA Lakers before injury forced him to another early exit. The last time “Zanos” suffered a hamstring injury, he was shelved by for roughly three months.
Brandon Ingram stepped up in the New Orleans Pelicans’ play-in tournament finale versus the Sacramento Kings, giving hope that all might not be lost. “BI” himself is coming off a long injury layoff and might not still be in tip-top form. The Pelicans had the Kings’ number all season but that is not the case with the OKC Thunder.
Oklahoma is on top of the totem pole in the West not by mere accident. They are there because they have an MVP candidate in Shai-Gilgeous Alexander. And, they execute a blend of offense and defense that feels like a juggernaut on some nights. Only the Boston Celtics (11.7) are better than the Thunder (7.3) in net rating.
The New Orleans Pelicans will not be cowed but Williamson’s absence will hurt them. It remains to be seen if Willie Green can concoct something that will help his team get past the OKC Thunder.