OKC Thunder Ensnares New Orleans Pelicans in Season Finale

The Oklahoma City Thunder wrapped up its best regular season in franchise history by beating the New Orleans Pelicans 115-100 on Sunday afternoon. The Thunder won 68 games — 16 more than the No. 2 Houston Rockets, a new NBA record.

Oklahoma City also accumulated a league-record +1,055 point differential and 54 double-digit wins throughout all 82 games.

Aaron Wiggins led all scorers in the Thunder's second straight game. He finished with 28 points on 8-for-18 shooting and 10-for-10 at the line, seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a game-high +21 plus-minus.

Branden Carlson racked up a career-high 26 points on 10-for-19 shooting, 10 rebounds (six offensive), three blocks and two assists.

Kenrich Williams registered 17 points on 8-for-18 shooting, 12 rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Dillon Jones scored a career-high 13 points on seven shots, making his only 3-point attempt. He added 10 rebounds, an assist and a steal.

Jaylin Williams checked out two minutes into the game with left ankle soreness and did not return.

Both teams combined for 18.8% 3-point shooting.

The Thunder started Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, Jones, Kenrich Williams and Jaylin Williams.

The Pelicans started Elfrid Payton, Jose Alvarado, Antonio Reeves, Keion Brooks Jr. and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.

Both teams placed 20 combined players on the injury report, including all 10 regular starters.

Oklahoma City blitzed out an 11-2 run in the game's first 2:16, including a transition Joe three and back-to-back Jones layups, to force a New Orleans timeout. Adam Flagler curl cut for a wide-open layup minutes later to establish a double-digit lead. Branden Carlson, who replaced Jaylin Williams, splashed a top-of-the-key triple for Oklahoma City's 25th point midway through the quarter — before the Pelicans cracked double-digits.

Carlson drew two free throws and made a difficult turnaround floater from Wiggins on consecutive trips, giving him nine first-quarter points. Wiggins then reached nine points with a pair of free throws and found Alex Ducas for a right-wing 3-pointer in the closing minutes. Pelicans forward Jamal Cain drilled a wide-open three at the buzzer, but the Thunder led 38-19 after the opening frame.

New Orleans' first four second-quarter field goals were and-one layups, including two from Cain. The home team went on an 11-0 run to cut its deficit to 12 points before Carlson threw down a powerful alley-oop from Ajay Mitchell. Wiggins stripped Alvarado for an uncontested dunk and made four free throws on three straight possessions to reach 17 points. Oklahoma City maintained a 64-49 advantage at the break.

The Pelicans went on a 16-7 run in the third-quarter's first five minutes, including consecutive triples from Payton and Robinson-Earl. Kenrich Williams provided a cutting layup and mid-range jumper before Wiggins and Carlson each nailed 3-pointers, reinstating a comfortable Thunder lead that lasted until the final buzzer. Jones converted a second-chance three and layup to reach a career-high 13 points. Oklahoma City led 90-72 after three quarters.

The Thunder begins its 2025 playoff run in Paycom Center next Sunday, April 20. Depending on this week's Play-In Tournament, Oklahoma City's opponent will be the LA Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings or Dallas Mavericks. Both conferences' No. 8 seeds will win on Friday, April 18.