OKLAHOMA City Thunder continued their blazing start to the 2025-26 NBA regular season with a dominant 137-106 home victory over New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night (Monday morning in the Philippines) at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 30 points on a perfect 13-of-13 shooting from the free-throw line, along with seven assists and two rebounds, as the Thunder improved to 7-0.
It marked the second straight year that Oklahoma City opened the season with seven consecutive wins. The Pelicans, meanwhile, dropped to 0-6 and extended their losing skid to 13 games dating back to last season.
With San Antonio Spurs losing to Phoenix Suns, 130-118, and Chicago Bulls falling to New York Knicks, 128-116, the Thunder now stand as the league’s only unbeaten team.
Oklahoma City seized control early, building a 17-point lead after the first quarter and never allowing New Orleans to come closer than 12 points the rest of the way. Despite ranking last in three-point percentage entering the game, the Thunder erupted from deep with a season-high 20 triples on 41.7 percent shooting.
Isaiah Hartenstein nearly posted a triple-double with 14 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists, while eight Thunder players finished in double figures.
Zion Williamson paced the Pelicans with 20 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, while Trey Murphy III added 19 points in the losing effort.
In Los Angeles, Luka Doncic recorded a triple-double of 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists to lead Lakers (4-2) past the Miami Heat (3-2), 130-120.
Austin Reaves and Jake LaRavia added 26 and 25 points respectively, while Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes chipped in 15 apiece, and Marcus Smart contributed 11.
Elsewhere, Charlotte Hornets crushed Utah Jazz, 126-103; Philadelphia 76ers routed Brooklyn Nets, 129-105; Cleveland Cavaliers beat Atlanta Hawks, 117-109; and Toronto Raptors topped Memphis Grizzlies, 117-104./PN
