Thunder Complete Sweep of Pelicans with 97-89 Victory Thanks to Williams' Clutch Shooting

The Oklahoma City Thunder clinched a thrilling 97-89 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans to sweep their first-round playoff series in style. Jalen Williams turned on the heat with a game-changing 3-pointer in the closing minutes, finishing with 24 points to lead the Thunder to victory. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also shined with a double-double, contributing 24 points and 10 rebounds to the winning effort. Despite missing star forward Zion Williamson throughout the series, the Pelicans put up a fierce fight, with CJ McCollum's 20-point performance keeping them in contention.

New Orleans had moments of promise, but their struggles from beyond the arc ultimately proved costly, shooting just 23.5% from 3-point range. Jonas Valanciunas battled foul trouble but still managed a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds for the Pelicans. The tightly contested game featured 18 lead changes and showcased the Thunder's resilience as they pulled away in the final minutes to secure the series sweep. Oklahoma City's young talents, including Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddey, also made significant contributions to the team's success, signaling a bright future ahead for the Thunder's promising roster.