Top-seeded, more mature Thunder take on Zion-less Pelicans

Mark Daigneault, the coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, remains unfazed by the prospect of leading a young team into the playoffs. He believes that age is merely a number and that maturity is what truly matters. This season, the Thunder, the second-youngest team in the NBA, have demonstrated their maturity by securing the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. They will face the New Orleans Pelicans in Oklahoma City on Sunday in their first playoff appearance since 2020.

The Thunder’s roster has significantly changed since their last playoff appearance, with only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, and Mike Muscala remaining from that team. Gilgeous-Alexander, in particular, has emerged as the Thunder’s most valuable player, averaging 30.1 points, 6.2 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.0 steals this season while shooting 53.5%.

The Thunder have played the Pelicans three times this season, winning two of those games. Daigneault is confident in his team’s ability to handle any challenge the Pelicans may present, stating that there is nothing the Pelicans can throw at them that they haven’t seen before.

The Pelicans, however, will be without their leading scorer, Zion Williamson, who suffered a hamstring injury in their play-in loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Williamson is expected to be re-evaluated in two weeks, leaving the Pelicans without their star player for the start of the series.

The Thunder and Pelicans have both struggled in recent years, with neither team making it past the first round in several years. The Thunder’s last series win came in 2016, while the Pelicans’ last series win came in 2018.

Ingram, the Pelicans’ second-leading scorer, will need to step up in Williamson’s absence. Ingram struggled in his first two games after returning from a 12-game absence due to a bone bruise in his left knee. However, he had a breakout performance in the Pelicans’ play-in win over the Sacramento Kings, scoring 24 points and playing a significant role in the Pelicans’ defensive success.

The Thunder and Pelicans are both hungry for a series win, and this series promises to be an exciting matchup between two young and talented teams.