After getting a close win in Game 1, the Oklahoma City Thunder went home again with the victory against the New Orleans Pelicans in Game 2. But for head coach Willie Green, the way they won was filled with a lot of flopping.
In that particular game, the Thunder took home the 124-92 victory over NOLA, giving them the 2-0 lead in the process. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made heads turn when he finished the match with 33 points, on 68 percent shooting from the field, three rebounds, and five assists. Chet Holmgren put on an impressive show when he tallied 26 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. Meanwhile, Jalen Williams contributed 21 points, five rebounds, and seven assists.
The Pelicans were led by Jonas Valunciunas’s 19-point game with seven rebounds and two assists. Herb Jones and Brandon Ingram had 18 points each while CJ McCollum added 15 points of his own. Furthermore, All-Star forward Zion Williamson is still not cleared to play for New Orleans, an absence that has caused their offense to crater against the Thunder.
The win helped OKC get a clean lead over the Pelicans as the series will now shift to their homecourt. NOLA, on the other hand, would have to work twice as hard to prevent being eliminated.
New Orleans Head Coach Willie Green Blasts Oklahoma City Thunder’s Flopping in Game 2
After the game, NOLA head coach Willie Green spoke to the media and aired his thoughts about how OKC won the game. In a video posted by Pelicans Film Room on X:
Apart from blasting OKC’s flopping, Green focused on what the Pels should do in Game 3.
“Willie Green on message to team after 32-point loss: “It’s one game. They took care of their homecourt. That’s what they are supposed to do. We wanted to come in and get one. We didn’t. Now we regroup, we get home and we take care of homecourt,” Will Guillory tweeted.
As it stands, the Pelicans are sorely missing the offense generated by Williamson. It should be remembered that the 2019 top draft pick injured his hamstring during a Play-In game against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
It remains to be seen whether the momentum will shift in New Orleans’ favor soon. What’s certain, though, is that Green will keep an eye for any sign of flopping before OKC gets to do more of it in Game 3.
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