New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas (17) attempts a 3-point shot against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) in the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in New Orleans, Monday, April 29, 2024.
New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) in the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in New Orleans, Monday, April 29, 2024.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, right, drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort during the second half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Oklahoma City.
New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) drives to the lane against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) in the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in New Orleans, Monday, April 29, 2024.
New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) in the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in New Orleans, Saturday, April 27, 2024.
Chet Holmgren and Lu Dort anchor elite Thunder defense heading into second round of NBA playoffs
The young Oklahoma City Thunder finally have started drawing national attention with a high-scoring offense led by MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas (17) attempts a 3-point shot against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) in the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in New Orleans, Monday, April 29, 2024.
Gerald Herbert - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) in the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in New Orleans, Monday, April 29, 2024.
Gerald Herbert - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, right, drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort during the second half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Oklahoma City.
Nate Billings - freelancer, ASSOCIATED PRESS
New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) drives to the lane against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) in the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in New Orleans, Monday, April 29, 2024.
Gerald Herbert - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) in the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in New Orleans, Saturday, April 27, 2024.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The young Oklahoma City Thunder finally are drawing national attention with a high-scoring offense led by MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
A closer look shows the defense is just as responsible for the Thunder claiming the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs and sweeping the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round. Though best known for an up-tempo style that helped them rank third in the league in scoring during the regular season, Chet Holmgren, Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort led an Oklahoma City team that finished fourth in the league in defensive rating and third in opponent field goal percentage.
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