Story by
Mussatto: Can OKC Thunder repeat its NBA playoff history after first sweep since 2012?
- Story by
- Mussatto: Can OKC Thunder repeat its NBA playoff history after first sweep since 2012?
The Thunder could use some more playoff experience, but alas, OKC will have to wait until Round 2 after sweeping the Pelicans .
OKC busted out the brooms in the Big Easy, beating New Orleans 97-89 on Monday.
Advertisement
Games 2 and 3 were runaways. Game 4 was a lot like Game 1 — a grind. Missed shots, illegal screens and turnovers galore. But the fourth quarter of the fourth game belonged to the Thunder. OKC outscored New Orleans 27-18 in the final frame with Jalen Williams (11) and Josh Giddey (nine) combining for 20 of the Thunder's points.
The Pelicans scored between 85 and 92 points in all four games. They shot 38% from the field Monday, including 24% (8 of 34) from 3-point range. Naji Marshall , who played 22 minutes off the bench, accounted for half of New Orleans' 3-pointers.
More: OKC Thunder advancing in NBA playoffs for first time since 2016 with sweep of Pelicans
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 29: Josh Giddey #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder goes to the basket against Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the third quarter in Game Four of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Smoothie King Center on April 27, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Brandon Ingram , a reluctant alpha in the absence of Zion Williamson , was 2 of 14 in Game 4 and shot 34.5% for the series. The beaches of Galveston will look heavenly compared to the hell Lu Dort put him through.
Advertisement
The Thunder's defense, with Dort on the perimeter and Chet Holmgren in the paint, set the tone in the series. The Pelicans were afforded nothing easy.
OKC became the youngest team to ever win a playoff series, which means it's the youngest team to ever sweep a playoff series, which means it'll be the youngest team to ever do "X" from here on out.
It's weird, though, because we're still waiting for the Thunder to act its age. To cower under the pressure of the playoffs — which, aside from normal Game 1 nerves, never happened.
Instead, we saw a business-like sweep. Uncommon maturity, as coach Mark Daigneault so often says.
Advertisement
The Thunder advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2016, when Kevin Durant was still in Thunder blue.
More: Why OKC Thunder players 'show love' to Bally Sports sideline reporter Nick Gallo
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) walks off the court after his team defeated the Pelicans 97-89 on Monday night in New Orleans.
Monday marked the second sweep in Thunder history. The first was in 2012 against the Mavericks, Round 1 of an NBA Finals run.
That was the third year in the playoffs for Durant, Russell Westbrook , James Harden and Co. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 's group just played in its first playoff series.
It's too soon to think about the magic of 2012 repeating, but everything about Thunder U 2.0 has transpired sooner than expected.
Advertisement
Including its Round 1 rout of the Pelicans, in which the Thunder, a team with minimal playoff experience, needed only the minimum number of games to advance.
More: Who is the OKC Thunder projected to face in the second round of the NBA playoffs?
Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com . Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com .
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder becomes youngest team to win series in NBA playoffs
