Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans (Image via Getty) The Oklahoma City Thunder host the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at Paycom Center. The records tell most of the story. Oklahoma City sits first in the West. New Orleans is last.The Thunder have dealt with injuries, but their core is intact. The Pelicans are missing key pieces and have little room for error. This matchup comes down to depth, execution, and whether New Orleans can keep pace for four quarters.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Injury status and rotations (January 27, 2026)
Oklahoma City Thunder list seven players on the injury report. Six are already ruled out: Alex Caruso, Isaiah Hartenstein, Ajay Mitchell, Thomas Sorber, Nikola Topic, and Jalen Williams. Cason Wallace is questionable with left hip soreness. If Wallace cannot play, Lindy Waters III and Kenrich Williams will see more minutes on the perimeter.New Orleans Pelicans are thinner. Dejounte Murray remains out with a ruptured right Achilles and is expected to miss at least a few more weeks. Trey Alexander and Hunter Dickinson are unavailable due to G League assignments. The Pelicans will lean heavily on Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, with Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, and Jose Alvarado filling out a shortened rotation.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Head-to-head context
Oklahoma City leads the all-time regular-season series 48–32. The Thunder have won seven of the last ten meetings and all six home games against New Orleans since 2022. The Pelicans have not won in Oklahoma City since March 2022.Earlier this season, the Thunder handled New Orleans without much trouble. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led that win with steady scoring and playmaking.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Team stats snapshot
MetricPelicans (NOP)Thunder (OKC) Record 12–36 (15th West) 37–10 (1st West) Pace 99.6 (12th) 99.1 (17th) FG% 46.3% (T-21st) 49.2% (3rd) 3PT attempts 33.9 (28th) 43.8 (6th) 3PT% 35.9% (14th) 33.9% (29th) FT% 78.5% (T-16th) 82.4% (2nd) Rebounds 43.8 43.6 Turnovers 14.5 12.1Oklahoma City shoots better from the field, gets to the line more, and turns the ball over less. New Orleans takes fewer threes and struggles to create easy points when the game speeds up.
Players who shape the Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans game
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averages 32.1 points per game and controls Oklahoma City’s offense. With Murray out, he has a clear edge in the backcourt. Chet Holmgren’s rim protection and spacing matter against Zion Williamson, who remains New Orleans’ main source of pressure inside. Brandon Ingram handles most of the Pelicans’ creation, while Jose Alvarado provides energy but limited scoring.
How the game likely plays out
Oklahoma City is a 14.5-point home favorite, with the total set at 234.5. The Thunder should push tempo, attack the paint, and build the lead through free throws and efficient shooting. New Orleans needs a slower game, clean possessions, and strong nights from Zion and Ingram to stay close.On paper, this favors Oklahoma City. The only real question is how long the Pelicans can keep it competitive.