{{pageModel.leagueAbbr}} {{pageModel.subtitle}} | Las Vegas Review-Journal
National Basketball Association
New Orleans 113, Oklahoma City 80
When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, December 31, 2020
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Officials: #30 John Goble, #17 Jonathan Sterling, #67 Brandon Adair
Attendance: N/A

Brandon Ingram scored 20 points to lift the New Orleans Pelicans to a 113-80 road win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday.

Ingram wasn't around for the last quarter-plus, however, after being ejected in the third quarter for a flagrant foul.

However, the Pelicans dominated the end, outsourcing the Thunder 28-7 in the fourth quarter to open up what had been a tight game.

With Steven Adams and Zion Williamson making things difficult down low for the Thunder, Oklahoma City focused its offensive efforts on the perimeter.

The Thunder attempted 29 3-pointers in the first half, making 11, and they finished 15 of 48 from behind the arc.

Early on, that shooting was good enough to keep Oklahoma City in the game, as the Thunder hit seven 3-pointers in the first quarter. But New Orleans grabbed the lead late in the first period and never relinquished.

The Pelicans hadn't done much 3-point shooting of their own until Ingram got hot and hit bombs just over one minute apart to extend New Orleans' lead to 77-65 with 3:38 left in the third quarter.

Not long after Ingram's 3-point outburst, his night was over. As Oklahoma City's Isaiah Roby went up for a layup, Ingram came from behind and went for the block. Instead, his right arm swiped across Roby's face.

After a review, Ingram was ejected for a flagrant foul with three minutes left in the third.

But by early in the fourth, the Pelicans had put the game out of reach.

New Orleans had seven players score in double figures.

Adams, playing in Oklahoma City as a visitor for the first time after spending his first seven NBA seasons with the Thunder, scored eight of his 14 points in the first quarter. He added 10 rebounds, and Josh Hart also had a double-double (12 points, 11 boards).

Al Horford led Oklahoma City with 17 points, going 7 of 9 from the floor. Only one other Oklahoma City player scored in double figures, Mike Muscala with 10.

The Thunder have lost three consecutive games after winning their opener.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
New Orleans   Oklahoma City
Brandon Ingram 20 Scoring Al Horford 17
Lonzo Ball 9 Assists Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 4
Josh Hart 11 Rebounds Al Horford 6
Zion Williamson 4 Free Throws Made Darius Bazley 3
Nickeil Alexander-Walker 2 Steals Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 2
Jaxson Hayes 2 Blocks Darius Bazley 1
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
New Orleans 113 48.4 13-36 12-19 23 58 4 9 13
Oklahoma City 80 37.5 15-48 5-15 24 40 3 6 19
Upcoming Games
  • Oklahoma City will play their next game on the road against Orlando. The Thunder have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .333 after a loss.
  • New Orleans will play their next game at home against Toronto. The Pelicans have a W/L % of .333 after a win and 1.000 after a loss.