Oklahoma City Thunder demolished the New Orleans Pelicans 126-109 on Monday night. The defending champions maintained their Western Conference lead with a dominant performance on the road.
The Thunder improved to 14-1 this season behind Chet Holmgren’s 26 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 23 points in the comprehensive victory.
Oklahoma City seized control immediately with a franchise-record 49 first-quarter points. The explosive start effectively ended New Orleans’ hopes of an upset.
Six Thunder players scored double digits in the victory. The balanced offensive attack proved too much for the struggling Pelicans.
Gilgeous-Alexander extended his 20-point scoring streak to 87 consecutive games. Only Wilt Chamberlain has achieved longer streaks in NBA history.
Jeremiah Fears led New Orleans with 24 points in the defeat. The Pelicans dropped to their 12th loss of the season.
Thunder lead the Western Conference ahead of second-placed Denver Nuggets. Chicago Bulls upset Denver 130-127 despite Nikola Jokic’s 36-point triple-double.
Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets puts up a shot against Jalen Smith. Photo: MATTHEW STOCKMAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) Credit: Getty Images via AFP
The Detroit Pistons extended their winning streak to 10 games on Monday night. The Eastern Conference leaders defeated Indiana Pacers 127-112 at home.
Indiana fell to 1-13 and remains anchored at the bottom of the conference. The Pacers struggled despite Detroit missing stars Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris.
Jalen Duren powered Detroit with 31 points against the visiting Pacers. Daniss Jenkins contributed 26 points as five Pistons reached double figures.
“We’ve gotta be better in all areas,” admitted Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. Indiana continues searching for answers after their nightmare season start.
Cleveland Cavaliers defeated Milwaukee Bucks 118-106 behind Donovan Mitchell’s 37-point explosion. The Cavs overcame an early 14-point deficit to secure victory.
Milwaukee suffered a double blow with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s second-quarter groin injury. The star forward left the game and did not return.
“It didn’t look great,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said about Antetokounmpo’s injury. “We’ll know more tomorrow after further evaluation.”
The injury compounds Milwaukee’s early season struggles in the competitive Eastern Conference. Antetokounmpo’s availability remains uncertain for upcoming games.
Thunder and Pistons continue setting the pace in their respective conferences.