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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Clemente Almanza

OKC Thunder to face New Orleans Pelicans in first round of 2024 NBA playoffs

The Oklahoma City Thunder will face the New Orleans Pelicans in their first-round series matchup. This comes after the Pelicans’ 105-98 win over the Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament for the eighth seed on Friday.

Brandon Ingram had 24 points on 10-of-20 shooting, six rebounds and six assists. Trey Murphy III totaled 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting and eight rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas tallied 19 points and 12 rebounds.

The first-seeded Thunder will look to collect their first playoff series win since 2016. This is the first of presumably several playoff trips for the trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren.

The Pelicans will likely be without Zion Williamson for most of the first round as he recovers from a hamstring strain. Ingram has looked hobbled at times since his return from a bruised knee.

In their season series, the Thunder won two of the three matchups. OKC’s one loss included a blown 22-point lead. Game 1 will be on Sunday, April 21. The full series schedule can be read here.

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