The Oklahoma City Thunder may have cooled off in their pursuit of history, but they’re still very much in the thick of things. After dropping two straight, OKC got back on track Tuesday night with a gritty 104-95 win over the New Orleans Pelicans - a game that had more than its fair share of fireworks, both on the scoreboard and between the lines.
Things started to boil over in the fourth quarter when Jaylin Williams and Saddiq Bey got into a heated exchange. It didn’t take long for teammates from both sides to step in and separate the two before it escalated further.
But that wasn’t the only dust-up on the night. Tensions flared again when Jeremiah Fears and Lu Dort got tangled up in a far more intense confrontation, one that ended with both players being hit with double technicals.
Even after the final buzzer, the energy stayed high. Thunder forward Jalen Williams - sidelined for the game due to injury - had some fun with sideline reporter Nick Gallo, jokingly asking why he didn’t jump in during the postgame scuffle. Gallo, ever the professional (and wisely avoiding a fine), laughed it off: “Man, I would have been out there if they let me.”
While Jalen Williams didn’t suit up, he was active pregame, going through movement and mobility drills as part of his rehab. He’s been working his way back from a hamstring injury that’s sidelined him since his last appearance against the Miami Heat - a game where he managed eight points, three boards, and three assists before being pulled due to right thigh soreness. That setback came not long after he returned from wrist surgery that cost him the first month of the season.
When healthy, JDub has been a key piece of the Thunder’s puzzle, averaging 16.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. His versatility on both ends of the floor makes him an essential part of OKC’s young core - and his return can’t come soon enough for a team that’s shown it can hang with the best in the West when firing on all cylinders.
The Thunder may no longer be chasing 73 wins, but they’re still chasing something bigger: legitimacy, consistency, and a deep playoff run. Tuesday night’s win - scrappy, emotional, and hard-fought - was a reminder that they’re not going anywhere.