NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Chet Holmgren scored 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and the Oklahoma City Thunder raced to an early double-digit lead they maintained throughout in a 126-109 victory over the reeling New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night, Nov. 17.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 points and Lu Dort 17 for the Thunder, who set a franchise record for points in a quarter with 49 in the first. Isaiah Hartenstein added 16 points for Oklahoma City, which won its sixth straight for a 14th victory in 15 games to open the season.
Rookie guard Jeremiah Fears scored a season-high 24 and Trey Murphy III added 18 points for the Pelicans, who’ve lost six straight for the second time in their first 14 games, and two straight since interim coach James Borrego took over in the wake of Willie Green’s firing on Saturday.
New Orleans played without Zion Williamson (hamstring) who missed his ninth game this season. Saddiq Bey (left ankle) also was scratched for New Orleans. Rookie Micah Peavy scored a season-high 16 points for the Pelicans in a reserve role.
Oklahoma City led by 10 less than three minutes into the game and by 20 before eight minutes had elapsed.
The Pelicans committed six turnovers in the first six minutes, at which point the Thunder, leading 24-8, had 13 points off turnovers.
When Brandon Carlson’s free throws made it 36-11, Oklahoma City had scored on 15 of their previous 17 possessions.
After the first quarter closed with Oklahoma City leading 49-24, the second quarter was somewhat more competitive. The Pelicans, who shot 52.6% during the first 24 minutes, trimmed their deficit to 13 by halftime, at 69-56.
But the Thunder outscored the Pelicans 24-11 during the opening seven minutes of the third period, leading 93-67 after Holmgren followed up a 3 with a cutting dunk.
Meanwhile in Detroit, Jalen Duren scored 31 points in his return from an ankle injury and Daniss Jenkins added 26 points as the short-handed Pistons won their 10th straight game, beating the NBA-worst Indiana Pacers, 127-112.
The Pistons are on their longest winning streak since an 11-game run in 2007-08, despite playing the last three games without several key players. Cade Cunningham (hip), Tobias Harris (ankle) and Ausar Thompson (ankle) were among the players on the sidelines against Indiana.
The 1-13 Pacers, meanwhile, have lost eight straight games. The NBA finalists from a year ago are mired in their longest losing streak since the 2014-15 season.
Ten players scored for Detroit, with five reaching double figures. Javonte Green scored 20 points off the bench. Duncan Robinson had 13 points and Isaiah Steward 10.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 29 points. Benedict Mathurin added 25 points as Indiana fell to 0-8 on the road.
Earlier in Minneapolis, Naz Reid scored a season-high 22 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the short-handed Dallas Mavericks, 120-96.
Reid scored 10 points in the first quarter and led all scorers with 19 points in the first half. He hit a 3-pointer just before the end of third quarter, capping his 22-point game and sending Minnesota into the fourth quarter with a 32-point lead.
Six Timberwolves scored in double figures, including all five starters. Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert scored 15 points apiece and star Anthony Edwards had a relatively quiet night with 13 points on 5-for-14 shooting.
Top draft pick Cooper Flagg and Brandon Williams each had 15 points for Dallas, which fell to 1-2 in the second game of back-to-backs this season. The Mavericks were coming off a win over Portland on Sunday.
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