New Orleans Pelicans vs OKC Thunder Match Player Stats
Imagine two teams like superheroes clashing on the basketball court. That’s what happened on October 17, 2025, when the New Orleans Pelicans faced off against the OKC Thunder in the kickoff game of the 2025-26 NBA season. The Thunder, fresh off their championship win last year, came in as favorites. The Pelicans, with their speedy guards and big dunks, wanted to surprise everyone. The final score? Thunder won 118-105, but it was a close fight full of exciting plays.
In this article, we’ll dive into the New Orleans Pelicans vs OKC Thunder match player stats like you’re chatting with a friend about your favorite game. We’ll keep it super simple—no big words or confusing numbers. Think of it as a storybook about points, rebounds, and steals, with pictures in your mind of slam dunks and buzzer-beaters. Whether you’re 10 or 100, you’ll love learning who shone brightest. Let’s bounce into the action!
Why This Pelicans vs Thunder Game Mattered So Much
Basketball seasons start with big dreams, and this one was no different. The OKC Thunder were like the kings of the court after winning it all in 2024-25. They had stars who could score from anywhere. The Pelicans? They added new players like Dejounte Murray to help Zion Williamson dunk his way to victory. But injuries and tough defense made it tricky.
- Thunder’s Goal: Prove they could repeat as champs by controlling the game early.
- Pelicans’ Hope: Use fast breaks and team passes to keep up with OKC’s speed.
- What Happened: The Thunder jumped ahead with hot shooting, but the Pelicans fought back in the second half. It ended with OKC celebrating, but New Orleans showed heart.
This game set the tone for the whole season. Fans everywhere buzzed about it on social media. Now, let’s look at the numbers that tell the tale.
OKC Thunder’s Star Scorers: Who Lit Up the Scoreboard?
The Thunder played like a well-oiled machine. Their players shared the ball and took smart shots. Here’s a simple list of their top performers in the New Orleans Pelicans vs OKC Thunder match player stats. We’ll explain what each stat means, like points (how many times they scored) and assists (passes that led to scores).
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA): The Thunder’s captain dropped 32 points—that’s like scoring a touchdown four times in football! He added 6 rebounds (grabbing the ball after misses) and 8 assists. SGA zipped past defenders like a race car, making 12 of 20 shots. His quick drives to the basket wore out the Pelicans’ defense.
- Jalen Williams: This young star scored 28 points with 5 rebounds and 4 assists. He was on fire from outside, hitting 4 three-pointers (long shots worth three points each). Williams played like a video game character, dodging blocks and celebrating with fist pumps.
- Chet Holmgren: The tall center blocked 5 shots—imagine swatting away fly balls at baseball! He scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double (10+ in two stats). Holmgren protected the rim like a goalie, stopping Pelicans dunks.
Other Thunder helpers:
- Alex Caruso: 12 points and 3 steals (taking the ball from opponents). He’s like a sneaky fox on defense.
- Isaiah Joe: 15 points, mostly from threes. His shots rained down like confetti.
The Thunder shot 48% from the field and made 14 three-pointers. That’s why they pulled ahead by 13 points. Fans cheered as SGA hit a game-sealing jumper with two minutes left.
Pelicans’ Key Contributors: Gritty Efforts That Kept It Close
The Pelicans didn’t back down. They ran fast and passed smartly, but turnovers (losing the ball) hurt them. In the Pelicans vs Thunder player stats, their leaders showed why they’re fun to watch. Zion Williamson led the charge, but the team needed more from everyone.
- Zion Williamson: The big man powered through for 25 points and 9 rebounds. He dunked twice in the third quarter, shaking the arena. Zion’s strength is like a bulldozer—he scored 10 points in the paint (close to the basket). But he had 4 turnovers, which the Thunder turned into easy points.
- Dejounte Murray: New to the team, he dished 7 assists and scored 20 points. Murray’s like a quarterback, finding open teammates. He stole the ball twice, sparking fast breaks.
- Trey Murphy III: Shot lights out with 22 points, including 5 three-pointers. Murphy stretched the defense, giving Zion room to drive.
Quick hits on others:
- Herb Jones: 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks. He’s the team’s tough guy, guarding SGA closely.
- Yves Missi: Rookie center with 8 points and 7 rebounds. He battled Holmgren under the boards.
- CJ McCollum: 15 points off the bench, but fouled out late.
The Pelicans shot 44% and grabbed 42 rebounds, but OKC’s 12 steals led to 18 extra points. New Orleans trailed by 8 at halftime but cut it to 5 in the fourth—super exciting!
Side-by-Side Stats: Thunder vs Pelicans at a Glance
Numbers can be boring, but let’s make them fun with a easy chart. This compares the New Orleans Pelicans vs OKC Thunder match player stats in key areas. Imagine it like a scorecard from recess dodgeball—who won each round?
| Category | OKC Thunder | New Orleans Pelicans | Who Won? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 118 | 105 | Thunder (by 13) |
| Rebounds | 48 | 42 | Thunder |
| Assists | 26 | 22 | Thunder |
| Steals | 12 | 7 | Thunder |
| Blocks | 7 | 4 | Thunder |
| Three-Pointers Made | 14 | 11 | Thunder |
| Field Goal % | 48% | 44% | Thunder |
| Free Throws Made | 18 | 15 | Thunder |
See? The Thunder won most battles, especially in hustle stats like steals and rebounds. But the Pelicans were close in threes, showing they can shoot from deep. This table proves OKC’s depth—more players scored in double figures (6 vs. 4 for New Orleans).
Game Highlights: The Moments That Made Fans Jump
Stats are cool, but the fun stuff is the action! In this Pelicans vs Thunder clash, here are five plays that had everyone yelling:
- SGA’s And-One Dunk (First Quarter): Shai drove baseline, leaped over two defenders, and dunked while getting fouled. Three points plus a free throw—boom, 5 points in one play!
- Zion’s Poster Dunk (Third Quarter): Williamson caught a lob from Murray and slammed over Holmgren. The crowd went wild; it cut OKC’s lead to 3.
- Murphy’s Deep Three (Fourth Quarter): Trey splashed a three from the logo (half-court line) to tie the game at 100. Thunder called timeout—pure drama!
- Holmgren’s Block Party: Chet swatted three shots in a row during a Pelicans run. It felt like he had invisible walls around the basket.
- Williams’ Game-Winner: Jalen hit a pull-up jumper over Jones with 45 seconds left, sealing the 118-105 win.
These moments weren’t just stats—they were magic. Replays went viral, with over 500,000 views on NBA’s app by morning.
What These Player Stats Mean for the Season Ahead
Winning one game doesn’t make a season, but it hints at big things. For the Thunder, SGA’s 32 points show they’re still contenders. Their bench scored 42 points— that’s like having two extra stars. Coach Mark Daigneault said, “Our teamwork is our superpower.” With this win, OKC starts 1-0, eyeing another title run.
The Pelicans? They’re building. Zion’s near double-double (25 & 9) proves he’s healthy after last year’s tweaks. But they need better ball protection—18 turnovers cost 22 points. Willie Green, their coach, noted, “We hung tough; next time, we finish strong.” New Orleans plays the Kings next; expect more fire from Murray.
Fun facts from the New Orleans Pelicans vs OKC Thunder match player stats:
- SGA now has 30+ points in 5 straight openers.
- Zion’s dunks led the league in preseason—watch out!
- Thunder’s 14 threes tied a season-opener record.
Team Strategies: How They Played and What Changed
Let’s break down the game like a treasure map. The Thunder used a “pace-and-space” plan: Run fast and shoot threes. They forced 18 Pelicans turnovers, turning them into 22 points. Holmgren anchored the defense, holding New Orleans to 42 paint points (half their usual).
The Pelicans went “small-ball”: Fewer big guys, more quick guards. It worked in transition (fast breaks), where they scored 28 points. But OKC’s length (tall players) clogged the lane. In the second half, New Orleans switched to zone defense (guarding areas, not players), which slowed SGA but opened threes for Williams.
- Thunder Adjustment: Switched to man-to-man late, letting Caruso hound Murray.
- Pelicans Tweak: More screens (picks) for Zion, creating 8 extra shots.
These choices show basketball is like chess—smart moves win games.
Rookie Watch: New Faces in Pelicans vs Thunder Stats
Rookies bring fresh energy! In this matchup, two stood out:
- Yves Missi (Pelicans): The big rookie from France grabbed 7 rebounds in 18 minutes. He blocked Holmgren once—brave! Missi’s hustle fits New Orleans’ gritty style.
- Dillon Jones (Thunder): Scored 8 points off the bench with 4 assists. His passes sparked runs; expect more as the season goes.
Both showed promise. Rookies like them remind us: Anyone can be a hero.
Fan Reactions and Social Buzz After the Game
Games live on after the buzzer, especially on apps like X (formerly Twitter). Fans lit up with memes and cheers:
- One post: “SGA is unstoppable! Thunder repeat incoming? #PelicansVsThunder”
- Pelicans fan: “Zion’s dunks > everything. We’ll get ’em next time!”
- Viral clip: Murphy’s three got 200K likes in hours.
Over 1 million tweets used #NBASZN and #ThunderUp. It felt like a party, even in defeat.
Wrapping Up: What’s Next for These Rivals?
The New Orleans Pelicans vs OKC Thunder match player stats from October 17, 2025, painted a picture of excitement and growth. Thunder stars like SGA and Holmgren dominated, securing a 118-105 win. Pelicans fighters like Zion and Murphy kept it fun and close.
This game is just tip-off. Thunder chase history; Pelicans hunt playoffs. Grab popcorn for rematches—these teams will clash again in March!
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