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Victor Petkov
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Gilgeous-Alexander scores 33, Thunder strikes again vs Pelicans
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Oklahoma extend their lead to 2-0 in the playoff as Game 3 is on Saturday in their home

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 33 points as the top-seeded Thunder dominated the New Orleans Pelicans 124-92, extending their lead to 2-0 in the first-round Western Conference playoff series.

Chet Holmgren contributed 26 points and seven rebounds, while Jalen Williams chipped in 21 points for the Thunder, who shot an impressive 59% from the field and sank 14 of 29 attempts from beyond the arc.

On the Pelicans’ side, Jonas Valanciunas was the best with 19 points, supported by Herb Jones and Brandon Ingram with 18 points each.

In Game 1, Valanciunas dominated the boards with 20 rebounds, including nine offensive rebounds, leading the Pelicans to a 52-44 rebounding advantage. However, in Game 2, the Thunder controlled the glass, outrebounding New Orleans 37-35 and limiting them to just eight offensive rebounds.

The absence of top scorer Zion Williamson, sidelined with a strained left hamstring, continued to pose challenges for the Pelicans on offense. Ingram, the team’s second-highest scorer in the regular season, struggled to find his rhythm in Game 2, with Lu Dort’s tight defense restricting him to just 10 field goal attempts. Ingram managed to convert only 5 of 17 field goals in Game 1.

Additionally, the Thunder capitalized on New Orleans’ turnovers, converting them into 22 points.

The series now shifts to New Orleans for Game 3 on Saturday.