Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder past Pelicans in play-in

NEW ORLEANS(AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander highlighted his 32-point night witha go-ahead baseline jumper and four clutch free throws in the final29 seconds, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the New OrleansPelicans 123-118 on Wednesday night to remain alive in the WesternConference play-in tournament.

Josh Giddeyhad 31 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds for Oklahoma City, theonly Western Conference team still playing with a losingrecord.

“We’ve beenbattle tested. We’ve played in a lot of close games all year, forthe past couple of years,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Even when theseason wasn’t going our way, we played in a lot of close games andwe have good habits and we know what gets it done down thestretch.”

The losseliminated the ninth-seeded Pelicans, while 10th seed Oklahoma Cityadvanced to play at Minnesota on Friday night for the right toenter the NBA playoffs as an eighth seed and meet No. 1 Denver.

The future is NOW as OKC gets a big Play-Inwin ⚡️SGA: 32 PTS, 5 REB, 3 STLJosh Giddey: 31 PTS, 10 AST, 9 REBLu Dort: 27 PTS, 5 REB, 8/14 FG pic.twitter.com/eeE36ieujZ

BrandonIngram scored 20 of his 30 points in the second half, including a3-pointer with 4.3 seconds left to give the Pelicans a slim chanceto come back.

But afterGilgeous-Alexander hit two free throws, Herbert Jones threw away aninbound pass, virtually sealing New Orleans’ fate.

Lu Dortscored 27 for the Thunder, including a pair of free throws with 6.2seconds left.

JonasValanciunas had 16 points and 18 rebounds for New Orleans, butchecked out with 4:26 after apparently hurting his right foot. Hereturned only briefly in the final minute.

Trey MurphyIII scored 21 points, Jones had 20 and CJ McCollum 14 for thePelicans, who a season ago went 2-0 in play-in games as a ninthseed to advance to the first round of the playoffs.

This time NewOrleans, which was at the top of the Western Conference standingsin December, was left to wonder what might have been had ZionWilliamson not gone out for the rest of the season with a hamstringinjury on Jan. 2.

New Orleansled 69-62 early in the third quarter before the Thunder surged infront with a 13-2 run capped by Gilgeous-Alexander’s driving layupas he was fouled.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 17 in the period and Giddey added 12,including his third 3 of the game to give Oklahoma City a 95-85lead.

But NewOrleans quickly tightened the game back up early in the fourth witha 7-0 run that included reserve guard Josh Richardson’s 3 thatpulled the Pelicans to 98-96.

The Pelicanswent back in front when Richardson’s steal and breakaway dunk madeit 101-100, but as the Thunder came back up the court, Richardsonwas called for a foul after knocking Giddey to the floor nearmidcourt. Giddey angrily came to his feet and started angrilytoward Richardson. Teammates held both at bay while officialscalled for a video review and determined that Richardson hadcommitted a flagrant foul.

Giddey madeone of two free throws to tie it and set the stage for an intensefinish.

Dort, whoaveraged 13.7 points during the regular season, scored 14 in thefirst quarter. But the Pelicans surged in front late in the firsthalf when Murphy hit a pair of 3s to help New Orleans go intohalftime with a 63-57 lead.

Ingramappeared to turn his left ankle when he stepped on a foot late inthe second quarter. He did not check out of the game, however, andplayed most of the second half.

TIP-INS

Thunder:Gilgeous-Alexander’s seven first-half points were his lowest in anyfirst half this season. His 17 points in the third quarter markedthe 40th time he scored at least 10 in a third quarter this season.... Oklahoma City outscored New Orleans 21-11 in points offturnovers. The Pelicans committed 11 turnovers, the Thunderseven.

Pelicans:Played without prominent frontcourt reserve Larry Nance Jr., whohad been questionable since injuring his left ankle on Sunday in aloss at Minnesota to close the regular season. ... Outrebounded theThunder 48-38. ... Williamson, who missed his 46th straight game ashe continues his recovery from a Jan. 2 right hamstring injury,took part in warmups and finished up with a windmill dunk.