OKLAHOMA CITY — Hitting a spin move on Jose Alvarado, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander crossed the 30-point mark in the final seconds of the third quarter. Just in time, as he made the unofficial deadline before he sat out the final frame. As he drew the foul and swished in both free-throw attempts, faint ‘MVP’ chants can be heard.

The Oklahoma City Thunder made easy work against the New Orleans Pelicans in a 137-106 win. They tied a franchise record for best start to a regular season at 7-0.

Don’t let the score fool you — the Thunder were as short-handed as you can get. Everybody knows about Jalen Williams’ and Chet Holmgren’s absences, but Lu Dort was a late addition. That meant OKC was without three starters. Sheesh.

But didn’t matter. Gilgeous-Alexander is a machine by himself. The reigning MVP and role players made quick work against the Pelicans. They had a 39-22 lead after the first quarter. Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins stepped up as scorers.

The second quarter was much of the same. The Thunder scored 36 points. They entered halftime with a commanding 75-52 lead. Those who tuned in could tune out and return to Sunday’s NFL schedule. This one was already over by the break.

Sliding down the standings, the Pelicans look like a team with zero synergy. Zion Williamson has been healthy, but zero chemistry made it look like everybody on their side played for individual aspirations. The bench was filled with older veterans.

There were interesting moments in the third quarter. A couple of times, the Pelicans cut it to below 20 points. But the Thunder kept their distance. Gilgeous-Alexander ensured he’d get to 30 points again. Jaylin Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein played together for, really, the first time.

By the end of the third frame, the Thunder had a 108-82 lead. They finished the night with a lead as large as 36 points. That turned the fourth quarter into garbage time. The end of the bench scored an additional 29 points

The Thunder shot 56% from the field and went 20-of-48 (41.7%) from 3. They shot 23-of-26 on free throws. They had 33 assists on 47 baskets. Eight Thunder players scored double-digit points.

Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with an efficient 30 points and seven assists. Hartenstein had 14 points and 14 rebounds. Williams tallied 12 points and four assists. Wiggins had 15 points. Wallace had 13 points and five steals. Off the bench, Isaiah Joe had 13 points, Ajay Mitchell had 10 points and Branden Carlson had 11 points.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans shot 44% from the field and went 16-of-40 (40%) from 3. They shot 20-of-32 on free throws. They had 26 assists on 35 baskets. Five Pelicans players scored double-digit points.

Williamson had a quiet 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Trey Murphy III cooked for 19 points and five rebounds. Jeremiah Fears had 16 points and four assists as the OU alumni returned. Herb Jones had 12 points and Jordan Poole had 11 points.

You have to be extremely happy with the result if you’re the Thunder. And extremely concerned if you’re the Pelicans. Even with several top players out, Gilgeous-Alexander and company were a buzzsaw on both ends. New Orleans was hopeless. This was a similar dominant fashion that you saw most of OKC’s victories last year.

Let’s look at Thunder player grades:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A-plus

Just another day in the office for Gilgeous-Alexander. Close to a precious 30-plus points, Gilgeous-Alexander attacked several Pelicans defenders. He finally reached the mark when Alvarado couldn’t contain a spin move. He joined a long list of players who can’t. Really, about the length of the entire NBA.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 30 points on 8-of-14 shooting, seven assists and two rebounds. He shot 1-of-5 from 3 and went 13-of-13 on free throws. He also had a steal.

It was a laid-back approach for Gilgeous-Alexander. When he felt like it, he hunted his shot. Fears learned that there are levels to this, from SEC play to the NBA. The reigning MVP sliced through New Orleans’ nonexistent defense. He drilled his signature mid-range jumpers. He had a busy night at the free-throw line for the first time in forever. That was a textbook performance by him.

At this point, Gilgeous-Alexander has normalized these outings. The 30 points in three quarters while he sits out the final frame has been his specialty since last season. There’s a reason why he’s one of the best players and looks to be right in the thick of the MVP race for a third straight year.

Isaiah Hartenstein: A-plus

Always reliable, Hartenstein had no problem being OKC’s second-best player. Nobody in New Orleans could stop him once he was deep inside the paint. The seven-footer was a constant lob threat and his playmaking talents were fully displayed in the bench lineups.

Hartenstein finished with 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting, 14 rebounds and eight assists. He also had a block and a steal. He only needed 26 minutes to put up a near triple-double line.

Even in OKC’s wildest dreams, you couldn’t have imagined Hartenstein being this productive. He’s been one of the better centers since he joined the Thunder. This game showed you a little bit of everything he can do. His dribble handoff actions helped the second unit balloon their lead.

Paired with Williams for the first time, both frontcourt players complemented each other. They fed each other easy baskets on baseline cuts. Even though there’s been a historic lack of playing time, they showed why their overlapping skills boost each other up.

Jaylin Williams: A

Already drawing a couple of charges, Williamson had Williams in the front of his mind. That forced the former All-Star player to curve his body left. It resulted in a missed layup attempt on the complicated look. What Williams lacked in size, he made up for with putting his body on the line.

Williams finished with 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting, four assists and three rebounds. All of his attempts were from the outside. He also had one block and steal.

As big a sports cliche as it is, the Thunder exemplifies most coaches’ dream when they hear, ‘Next Man Up.’ It was Williams’ turn to step up with a trio of starters out. He turned in his best game of the season. The outside shot was the sharpest it’s looked all year.

It was interesting to see how the Thunder combated their size disadvantage against the Pelicans. They leaned into shooting and skill. Williams helped the ball get moving around the perimeter and eventually foiled New Orleans’ zone defense with outside makes.

Cason Wallace: B-plus

Intercepting Fears’ careless pass, Wallace was on the run. He pushed the pace and flew off the floor. Poole made a business decision to get out of the way as he threw down a one-handed jam that the remaining OKC faithful loved to see in the final moments.

Wallace finished with 13 points on 4-of-5 shooting and five steals. He shot 3-of-4 from 3 and went 2-of-2 on free throws. He continues to add to his league lead in steals.

Everything is going right for Wallace. The defense is always there, but now that confidence has oozed over to the other side of the ball. After a cold start from deep, he’s found a rhythm with his outside shot during this homestand. The Thunder desperately needed that to change course. It has.

As the Thunder juggle injuries, Wallace has been a constant. He remains available and is somebody who can upsize or downsize a role depending on who else is out there. Can’t ask for much more out of the 21-year-old as he brings some of the best perimeter defense and hands in the league.

Ajay Mitchell: B

This is the type of game where multiple Thunder players deserve their own paragraphs. So let’s extend the usual four to seven. Mitchell was quietly solid. He helped the bench lineup survive Gilgeous-Alexander’s rest. While the jumper didn’t fall, he helped in other ways.

Mitchell finished with 10 points on 2-of-8 shooting, eight assists and five rebounds. He shot 0-of-3 from 3 and went 6-of-8 on free throws. He also had a steal.

Getting to double-digit points has been a consistent theme for Mitchell. The Thunder have needed his scoring with Williams and Holmgren out. One of the ways he can do that is by getting to the free-throw line. Always driving to the basket, the Pelicans couldn’t contain him either.

Normalizing these types of outings is how you can tell Mitchell has truly made it. Last year, this would’ve been a headline. But this season, it’s just another day for him. The 23-year-old continues to play his way into the very early Sixth Man of the Year conversations. Let’s see if he can keep it up in the heart of the season.

Aaron Wiggins: B-minus

Grabbing Kevon Looney’s turnover, Wiggins didn’t need to pass it out in transition. Instead, he went coast to coast for the one-handed jam. That provided some fireworks in what was otherwise mop-up duty in the fourth quarter, as they were played out due to necessity.

Wiggins finished with 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting, one rebound and one assist. He shot 3-of-6 from 3. He also had a block.

We’re reaching the point where Wiggins has been a mainstay in the starting lineup. That’s how bad the Thunder’s injury situation has been. Still, he’s stepped up. Especially with his outside shot. They’ve needed the scoring punch he provides as Gilgeous-Alexander can’t do it all by himself.

It was easy work against the Pelicans. Some quality looks from deep mixed with his off-ball cuts turned in another double-digit performance. You have to like the way he’s started the season, especially considering last year was a career campaign.

Branden Carlson: B

The first player off the bench, the Thunder went deep in their depth chart. Carlson showed why they went out of their way to bring him back for a second year under a two-way deal. His size helped OKC throw a curveball against New Orleans. He was a constant lob threat.

Carlson finished with 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting, five rebounds and one assist. He shot 1-of-4 from 3.

The Thunder continue to flex their depth. To get quality production from your fourth-string center is the type of richness that reigning NBA champions enjoy. He stepped up with a long list of players out. The outside shot didn’t fall, but he produced elsewhere.

You can’t ask much more out of a two-way player. With the G League season around the corner, could be another season where Carlson puts up video game numbers with the OKC Blue. He’s a player that’s been singled out by Sam Presti before. This showed why.

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