Game ID: 22500247
Oklahoma City Thunder @ New Orleans Pelicans
Monday, November 17, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
NOP 24 32 24 29 109OKC 49 20 36 21 126
NOP vs OKC ScoutingNOP vs OKC Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
NOP availability going into 11/10 · 1 day's restOUT Williamson missed 3 since 11/04, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 2 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT McGowens missed 3 since 11/04, returns tonight: 5 min (25% of 21)
OUT Missi missed 3 since 11/04, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 5 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 8 since 10/24, out tonight
NOP availability going into 11/12 · 1 day's restOUT Williamson missed 4 since 11/04, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 3 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Missi missed 4 since 11/04, returns tonight: 2 min (10% of 20)
OUT Jordan missed 6 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 9 since 10/24, out tonight
BACK McGowens back 11/10 after 3, 5 min since (25% of 21)
NOP availability going into 11/14 · 1 day's restOUT Williamson missed 5 since 11/04, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 4 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 7 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 10 since 10/24, out tonight
BACK McGowens back 11/10 after 3, 5 min since (25% of 21)
BACK Missi back 11/12 after 4, 2 min since (10% of 20)
NEW Jones 28 to 34 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 11/16 · 1 day's restOUT Williamson missed 6 since 11/04, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 5 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT McGowens missed 2 since 11/12, returns tonight: 13 min (60% of 21)
OUT Jordan missed 8 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 11 since 10/24, out tonight
BACK Missi back 11/12 after 4, 6 min since (31% of 20)
NEW Jones 28 to 34 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 11/17 · back-to-backOUT Williamson missed 7 since 11/04, out tonight
OUT Poole missed 6 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 9 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 12 since 10/24, out tonight
BACK McGowens back 11/10 after 3, 9 min since (43% of 21)
BACK Missi back 11/12 after 4, 12 min since (63% of 20)
NOP availability going into 11/19 · 1 day's restOUT Williamson missed 8 since 11/04, returns tonight: 29 min (98% of 30)
OUT Poole missed 7 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 10 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 2 since 11/16, returns tonight: 5 min (36% of 15)
OUT Alexander missed 13 since 10/24, out tonight
BACK McGowens back 11/10 after 3, 10 min since (48% of 21)
BACK Missi back 11/12 after 4, 15 min since (75% of 20)
NOP availability going into 11/21 · 1 day's restOUT Poole missed 8 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 11 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 14 since 10/24, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 11/19 after 8, 29 min since (98% of 30)
BACK McGowens back 11/16 after 2, 13 min since (60% of 21)
BACK Missi back 11/12 after 4, 14 min since (72% of 20)
BACK Looney back 11/19 after 2, 5 min since (36% of 15)
NOP availability going into 11/22 · back-to-backOUT Poole missed 9 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT McGowens missed 2 since 11/19, returns tonight: 20 min (95% of 21)
OUT Jordan missed 12 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 2 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 15 since 10/24, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 11/19 after 8, 29 min since (99% of 30)
BACK Looney back 11/19 after 2, 5 min since (36% of 15)
NOP availability going into 11/24 · 1 day's restOUT Poole missed 10 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 13 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 3 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 16 since 10/24, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 11/19 after 8, 29 min since (99% of 30)
BACK McGowens back 11/16 after 2, 15 min since (72% of 21)
BACK Looney back 11/19 after 2, 10 min since (66% of 15)
OKC availability going into 11/09 · 1 day's restOUT Dort missed 2 since 11/05, out tonight
BACK Holmgren back 11/04 after 3, 26 min since (88% of 29)
BACK Dieng back 10/30 after 2, 11 min since (98% of 11)
NEW Joe 20 to 25 min over the last 5
NEW Wiggins 19 to 26 min over the last 4
OKC availability going into 11/11 · 1 day's restOUT Dort missed 3 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Wiggins missed 2 since 11/07, out tonight
OUT Carlson missed 2 since 11/07, out tonight
BACK Holmgren back 11/04 after 3, 27 min since (93% of 29)
OKC availability going into 11/12 · back-to-backOUT Dort missed 4 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Wiggins missed 3 since 11/07, out tonight
OUT Carlson missed 3 since 11/07, returns tonight: 17 min (147% of 12)
BACK Holmgren back 11/04 after 3, 27 min since (91% of 29)
NEW Joe 20 to 25 min over the last 5
OKC availability going into 11/15 · 2 days' restOUT Dort missed 5 since 11/05, returns tonight: 22 min (84% of 26)
OUT Wiggins missed 4 since 11/07, out tonight
BACK Carlson back 11/12 after 3, 17 min since (147% of 12)
NEW Joe 20 to 28 min over the last 5
OKC availability going into 11/17 · 1 day's restOUT Wiggins missed 5 since 11/07, out tonight
BACK Dort back 11/15 after 5, 22 min since (84% of 26)
BACK Carlson back 11/12 after 3, 17 min since (145% of 12)
NEW Joe 20 to 27 min over the last 5
OKC availability going into 11/19 · 1 day's restOUT Wiggins missed 6 since 11/07, out tonight
BACK Dort back 11/15 after 5, 25 min since (96% of 26)
BACK Carlson back 11/12 after 3, 15 min since (127% of 12)
NEW Joe 20 to 26 min over the last 5
OKC availability going into 11/21 · 1 day's restOUT Wiggins missed 7 since 11/07, out tonight
BACK Dort back 11/15 after 5, 28 min since (106% of 26)
BACK Carlson back 11/12 after 3, 12 min since (106% of 12)
NEW Joe 20 to 26 min over the last 5
OKC availability going into 11/23 · 1 day's restOUT Wiggins missed 8 since 11/07, out tonight
BACK Dort back 11/15 after 5, 26 min since (100% of 26)
BACK Carlson back 11/12 after 3, 12 min since (101% of 12)
NEW Joe 20 to 25 min over the last 5
OKC availability going into 11/26 · 2 days' restOUT Wiggins missed 9 since 11/07, out tonight
BACK Dort back 11/15 after 5, 25 min since (96% of 26)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 123, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murphy III at 28 and Fears at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Williamson (7 straight), Poole (6 straight), Jordan (9 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 98, shooting 50 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 31 and Holmgren at 18 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Wiggins (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 98 a night to New Orleans's 123 and the glass, where OKC has been plus-6 a night and New Orleans minus-3. Call it OKC 121, New Orleans 106, OKC by 15.
11/10 @ PHX 98-121 — NOP notes
NOP lost 98-121. NOP shot 41% (34 of 83) to PHX's 50%, 10 of 32 from three. Murphy III led with 21 (6 of 14, 2 of 7 from three, 7 of 9 at the line); Fears added 15, Bey 15. Q4 was theirs, 26-25, the deficit cut from 24 to 23, but the other 3 periods went 96-72 against them. Hawkins's -18 in 16 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/12 vs POR 117-125 — NOP notes
NOP lost 117-125. NOP took 8 more shots (91 to 83), fed by 15 offensive rebounds, but shot 47% to POR's 58%, 13 of 39 from three. Queen led with 26 (12 of 18); Bey added 25, Murphy III 22. Q2 was theirs, 34-27, turning a 5-point deficit into a 2-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 98-83 against them. Peavy's -11 in 12 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/14 vs LAL 104-118 — NOP notes
NOP lost 104-118. NOP shot 44% (39 of 89) to LAL's 52%, 12 of 34 from three, and got to the line 18 times to LAL's 26. Murphy III led with 35 (13 of 21, 3 of 7 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Fears added 19, Jones 13. Q4 was theirs, 27-23, the deficit cut from 18 to 14, but the other 3 periods went 95-77 against them. Murphy III's -25 in 39 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/16 vs GSW 106-124 — NOP notes
NOP lost 106-124. NOP shot 46% (38 of 83) to GSW's 46%, 8 of 29 from three, and went to the line 29 times to GSW's 17 — 22 points from the stripe to their 14. Murphy III led with 20 (6 of 13, 2 of 6 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Alvarado added 18, Fears 17. Q2 was theirs, 21-17, the deficit cut from 16 to 12, but the other 3 periods went 107-85 against them. Jones's -22 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/17 vs OKC 109-126 — NOP notes
NOP lost 109-126. NOP shot 49% (42 of 86) to OKC's 49%, 12 of 28 from three, and got to the line 15 times to OKC's 28. Fears led with 24 (9 of 16, 2 of 5 from three); Murphy III added 18, Peavy 16. Q2 was theirs, 32-20, the deficit cut from 25 to 13, but the other 3 periods went 106-77 against them. Jones's -32 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/19 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 123, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Murphy III at 23 and Fears at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Williamson (8 straight), Poole (7 straight), Jordan (10 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 103, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 30 free throws a game; Jokić at 37 and Murray at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Braun (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 103 a night to New Orleans's 123 and the glass, where Denver has been plus-8 a night and New Orleans minus-3. Call it Denver 117, New Orleans 108.
11/21 @ DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Dallas comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 124, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 31 free throws a game; Flagg at 17 and Marshall at 16 a game. Without Davis (10 straight), Nembhard (6 straight). One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 124, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 24 and Fears at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Poole (8 straight), Jordan (11 straight). One day's rest.
So: Dallas wins, and the game turns on the line, where Dallas takes 31 free throws a game to New Orleans's 23. Call it Dallas 120, New Orleans 113.
11/22 vs ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 122, shooting 46 percent and 30 from three, 25 free throws a game; Murphy III at 24 and Fears at 19 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Poole (9 straight), McGowens (2 straight), Jordan (12 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 120, shooting 53 percent and 43 from three, 19 free throws a game; Johnson at 26 and Alexander-Walker at 24 a game. Without Young (11 straight). One day's rest.
So: Atlanta wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Atlanta at 43 percent from three to New Orleans's 30 and the line, where New Orleans takes 25 free throws a game to Atlanta's 19. Call it Atlanta 122, New Orleans 114.
11/24 vs CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 122, shooting 45 percent and 29 from three, 26 free throws a game; Murphy III at 21 and Fears at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Poole (10 straight), Jordan (13 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 132, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; White at 24 and Giddey at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. One day's rest.
So: Chicago wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, New Orleans allowing 122 a night to Chicago's 132 and the glass, where New Orleans has been minus-0 a night and Chicago minus-7. Call it Chicago 121, New Orleans 120, New Orleans keeping it close.
11/09 @ MEM 114-100 — OKC notes
OKC won 114-100. OKC shot 43% (41 of 95) to MEM's 38%, 10 of 43 from three, and went to the line 26 times to MEM's 18 — 22 points from the stripe to their 13. OKC turned it over 6 times to MEM's 14. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 35 (11 of 22, 3 of 9 from three, 10 of 11 at the line); Mitchell added 21, Holmgren 21. The hinge was Q3, 34-18: OKC came in trailing by 11 and left it ahead by 5, and the lead reached 16. OKC trailed 51-62 at the half and won the second half 63-38. Gilgeous-Alexander was the night's best plus/minus at +28.
11/11 vs GSW 126-102 — OKC notes
OKC won 126-102. OKC shot 51% (42 of 83) to GSW's 45%, 16 of 36 from three. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 28 (9 of 19, 3 of 6 from three, 7 of 8 at the line); Holmgren added 23, Joe 18. The hinge was Q3, 44-28: a lead of 19 became 35. Gilgeous-Alexander was the night's best plus/minus at +25.
11/12 vs LAL 121-92 — OKC notes
OKC won 121-92. OKC shot 50% (44 of 88) to LAL's 40%, 12 of 39 from three. OKC turned it over 11 times to LAL's 20. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 30 (10 of 18, 2 of 7 from three, 8 of 9 at the line); Joe added 21, Mitchell 14. The hinge was Q2, 40-20: a lead of 12 became 32, and the lead reached 37. Gilgeous-Alexander was the night's best plus/minus at +25.
11/15 @ CHA 109-96 — OKC notes
OKC won 109-96. OKC shot 51% (45 of 89) to CHA's 39%, 11 of 23 from three. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 33 (13 of 19, 3 of 4 from three); Holmgren added 25, Mitchell 14. The hinge was Q3, 32-18: a lead of 3 became 17, and the lead reached 22. Dort was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
11/17 @ NOP 126-109 — OKC notes
OKC won 126-109. OKC shot 49% (43 of 87) to NOP's 49%, 17 of 42 from three, and went to the line 28 times to NOP's 15 — 23 points from the stripe to their 13. Holmgren led with 26 (10 of 14, 3 of 6 from three); Gilgeous-Alexander added 23, Dort 17. The hinge was Q1, 49-24: from level to 25 ahead, and the lead reached 30. Gilgeous-Alexander was the night's best plus/minus at +32.
11/19 vs SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 100, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 30 and Holmgren at 21 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Wiggins (6 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 129, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Sabonis at 20 and LaVine at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Raynaud (2 straight), Plowden (2 straight), Cardwell (8 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 100 a night to Sacramento's 129 and the glass, where OKC has been plus-4 a night and Sacramento minus-8. Call it OKC 125, Sacramento 106, OKC by 19.
11/21 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 133 a night and allowing 133, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 28 free throws a game; Markkanen at 35 and George at 25 a game. Without Kessler (9 straight), Clayton Jr. (3 straight), Tshiebwe (14 straight). 2 days' rest. OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 100, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 29 and Holmgren at 21 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Wiggins (7 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 100 a night to Utah's 133. Call it OKC 123, Utah 116.
11/23 vs POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 102, shooting 51 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 30 and Holmgren at 19 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Wiggins (8 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 130, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 29 free throws a game; Sharpe at 28 and Avdija at 26 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Holiday (4 straight), Sharpe (2 straight), Henderson (16 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 102 a night to Portland's 130 and the arc, OKC at 41 percent from three to Portland's 31. Call it OKC 126, Portland 111, OKC by 15.
11/26 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 102, shooting 52 percent and 43 from three, 22 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 31 and Holmgren at 18 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Wiggins (9 straight). 2 days' rest. Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 98, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 27 free throws a game; Edwards at 28 and Randle at 21 a game. Without Hyland (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the arc, OKC at 43 percent from three to Minnesota's 32 and the line, where Minnesota takes 27 free throws a game to OKC's 22. Call it OKC 115, Minnesota 106.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
OKCAM A. Mitchell
BB B. Barnhizer
BC B. Carlson
CH C. Holmgren
CW C. Wallace
CY C. Youngblood
IH I. Hartenstein
IJ I. Joe
JW J. Williams
LD L. Dort
OD O. Dieng
SG S. Gilgeous-Alexander
NOPBM B. McGowens
DQ D. Queen
HJ H. Jones
JA J. Alvarado
JF J. Fears
JH J. Hawkins
KM K. Matković
MP M. Peavy
MA Matkovic
TM T. Murphy III
YM Y. Missi
OKC/NOP the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Holmgren scores 26 as the Thunder roll to a 126-109 win over the reeling Pelicans
NEW ORLEANS -- — Chet Holmgren scored 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and the Oklahoma City Thunder raced to an early double-digit lead they maintained throughout in a 126-109 victory over the reeling New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 points and Lu Dort 17 for the Thunder, who set a franchise record for points in a quarter with 49 in the first. Isaiah Hartenstein added 16 points for Oklahoma City, which won its sixth straight for a 14th victory in 15 games to open the season.
Rookie guard Jeremiah Fears scored a season-high 24 and Trey Murphy III added 18 points for the Pelicans, who've lost six straight for the second time in their first 14 games, and two straight since interim coach James Borrego took over in the wake of Willie Green's firing on Saturday.
New Orleans played without Zion Williamson (hamstring) who missed his ninth game this season. Saddiq Bey (left ankle) also was scratched for New Orleans. Rookie Micah Peavy scored a season-high 16 points for the Pelicans in a reserve role.
Oklahoma City led by 10 less than three minutes into the game and by 20 before eight minutes had elapsed.
The Pelicans committed six turnovers in the first six minutes, at which point the Thunder, leading 24-8, had 13 points off turnovers.
When Brandon Carlson's free throws made it 36-11, Oklahoma City had scored on 15 of their previous 17 possessions.
After the first quarter closed with Oklahoma City leading 49-24, the second quarter was somewhat more competitive. The Pelicans, who shot 52.6% during the first 24 minutes, trimmed their deficit to 13 by halftime, at 69-56.
But the Thunder outscored the Pelicans 24-11 during the opening seven minutes of the third period, leading 93-67 after Holmgren followed up a 3 with a cutting dunk.
Up next Thunder: Hosts the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.
Pelicans: Host the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.