2024 NBA Playoffs - West 1st Round: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #8 New Orleans Pelicans (OKC SWEEPS 4-0)

[ChipotleWest]

Both #1 seeds should have a nearly a free pass to the second round with Zion and Butler out.

[BuddyBuckets]

Even as a Pels fan, gotta accept that OKC has been really strong this year and it's no fluke. I'm hoping and praying the Pels steal one of the first two games and make this interesting though. Ingram is hopefully going to show up big time. I really think he's made for playoff hoops. Wondering how much the Pels try to bully Chet with Jonas also.

[MoneyTalks41890]

Pels have strong perimeter defenders especially Herb and Daniels they always make it tough on Shai.

I definitely expect the Pels to get a game or two. It’s also the playoffs and I could see it being more competitive than that.

[Dadouv47]

A lot of talk about Chet having issues against strong big men but we destroyed the Pels with JV on the floor while they were able to play very well against us with small ball unit and almost won a game because of it. Wouldn't surprise me if JV plays not more than 12-15 minutes per game.

[JHFVF07]

Okc is by far the better team. NOP needs to do something different if they wanna have some chance. I would put McCollum as sixth man and start Daniels, try to beat OKC with hustle, defense and rebounds.

Daniels - Alvarado
Jones - McCollum
Ingram - McCollum(he woul still play 30min/night, but mostly against OKC bench)
Murphy - Marshall
Val - Nance.

[sfernald]

Even as a Pels fan, gotta accept that OKC has been really strong this year and it's no fluke. I'm hoping and praying the Pels steal one of the first two games and make this interesting though. Ingram is hopefully going to show up big time. I really think he's made for playoff hoops. Wondering how much the Pels try to bully Chet with Jonas also.

Chet is just gonna sit out there and shoot threes until they are forced to bench J after about three minutes.

[TinmanZBoy]

Okc is by far the better team. NOP needs to do something different if they wanna have some chance. I would put McCollum as sixth man and start Daniels, try to beat OKC with hustle, defense and rebounds.

Daniels - Alvarado
Jones - McCollum
Ingram - McCollum(he woul still play 30min/night, but mostly against OKC bench)
Murphy - Marshall
Val - Nance.

This is a good move. The Pelican actually match up very well against OKC… reduce CJ’s minutes and increase Nance’s minutes

[Michael Jackson]

Gentleman’s Sweep even though OKC is still young. Isn’t like NO are grizzled warriors. If Zion is playing much different story

[TimberKat]

Any chance Zion coming back in game 2 or game 3?

[sfernald]

Any chance Zion coming back in game 2 or game 3?

No, it’s a hamstring, put a fork in him.

[hippesthippo]

Get out the broom. SGA is a one man wrecking ball.

Giddey helps take the load off of him by taking over ball-handling duties, so you know SGA is gonna get 30 every night and play tough defense. Jalen cutting to the basket. Holmgren's intensity on defense. This team is deep as hell and has the star power.


The Pelicans are a team falling apart in front of our eyes. I'd give them a game if they had a real point guard to set up their team of role players with easy shots, but CJ isn't that guy --he makes the basic reads, nothing more. They do have some **** outstanding role players though.

[Froob]

Okc in five

[Mrakar]

Any chance Zion coming back in game 2 or game 3?

Maybe of game 2 or 3 of NBA finals. "2 weeks" from Pels PR team means at least 4, and for Zion it is 2 months.
Last year they said 2 weeks in january, and then again 2, again 2, and he was out for the season...

[Patches Perry]

A lot of talk about Chet having issues against strong big men but we destroyed the Pels with JV on the floor while they were able to play very well against us with small ball unit and almost won a game because of it. Wouldn't surprise me if JV plays not more than 12-15 minutes per game.

Really good point. Chet is a rail, but OKC will be happy to have JV on the court trying to score on Chet if it means SGA/Dub can seek out JV in isolations on the other end.

[Funcrusher]

I think if BI plays pissed like he did yesterday and everything hums on both ends, we have a shot. They have (much) better top end talent without Zion but we probably have more talent top to bottom and BI plays better without Z anyway because ironically they dont work together

With that said, thunder in 6

[Funcrusher]

Any chance Zion coming back in game 2 or game 3?

Maybe of game 2 or 3 of NBA finals. "2 weeks" from Pels PR team means at least 4, and for Zion it is 2 months.
Last year they said 2 weeks in january, and then again 2, again 2, and he was out for the season...

I mean, last time Zion was on track to come back in time but essentially re-injured the hammy and had a setback. Then he just dropped the ball and gained weight, which affected the rehab even more. Call me crazy, but ill say that doesnt happen again.

Still, it will likely take an additional week at the least for him to come back, so optimistically imo he comes back like game 5 or 6 if it gets there.

[links135]

It’s so wack Zion got injured yet again.

I was also shocked when I had to file taxes this year. Again.

[TravisScott55]

Sucks ZIon isn't playing man

[donato]

As a Pels fan, Thunder in 5. Tragic Zion got injured, otherwise it could've been close-ish.

[donato]

It’s so wack Zion got injured yet again.

I was also shocked when I had to file taxes this year. Again.

Bro played 70 games this year and his injury isn't major. GTFO.