Thunder Snap Skid, But Postgame Fireworks Steal the Spotlight
Mark Daigneault’s response to the Dort/Fears scuffle: “Two things… first, good guys, good crew, but I thought they lost control of the game in the final minutes…
— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) January 28, 2026
Second, I think that was a foul on Dort. And if it was, they should put a whistle on that play regardless” pic.twitter.com/whzDoBbFXb
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma City Thunder got back in the win column Tuesday night with a 105-94 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, but the final buzzer didn’t bring the drama to a close. In fact, it might’ve only dialed things up.
WILD finish here as Lu Dort & Jeremiah Fears got into it and were immediately separated by their teammates.
— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) January 28, 2026
Fears held allll the way back and through the tunnel as he was LIVID and wanted to throw hands. He was forced from the court all the way toward the Pelicans’ locker room pic.twitter.com/z9KxKlzGr5
What started as a competitive, physical game turned into a full-on powder keg by the end. After the final whistle, Thunder guard Lu Dort and Pelicans rookie Jeremiah Fears got into it-escalating quickly from words to a shove that had both benches clearing and team officials stepping in like security at closing time. Fears was eventually escorted off the floor and through the tunnel in a scene that felt more like a playoff brawl than a late-January regular-season game.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault didn’t mince words afterward, pointing the finger at the officiating crew for letting things spiral. According to Daigneault, the tension had been building all night, and it was only a matter of time before it boiled over.
The flashpoint came late in the fourth quarter. With just over a minute to go and the Thunder up seven, Jaylin Williams and Saddiq Bey got tangled up and both were hit with double technicals.
That exchange seemed to light the fuse. Moments earlier, the Pelicans had cut a 12-point deficit down to five on a big-time three from Fears, injecting some late-game juice into the contest.
But the Thunder didn’t flinch. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again played the role of offensive engine, pouring in 29 points to lead all scorers.
Chet Holmgren was a force on both ends, finishing with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks-a stat line that speaks to just how impactful he was in controlling the paint. Isaiah Joe added a spark off the bench, knocking down six threes en route to 17 points, helping Oklahoma City pull away when it mattered most.
The win snapped a two-game skid for the Thunder at Paycom Center and closed out their three-game homestand on a high note. But the postgame fracas will likely grab just as many headlines as the box score.
As for the Pelicans, Zion Williamson did his part, posting 21 points and 11 rebounds in a strong showing. Saddiq Bey added a double-double of his own with 16 points, 13 boards, five assists, and three steals-doing a little bit of everything in what turned out to be a gritty, emotional battle.
Still, the night belonged to the Thunder, who not only got the win but showed some fight-literally and figuratively. Now, the question is whether the league office will have anything to say about the fireworks that followed the final buzzer.