Social Media Reacts: OKC Thunder Earns Commanding Series Lead Over Pelicans

The Oklahoma City Thunder attempted to build on their Game 1 win on Wednesday. After laboring their way to a 94-92 victory offensively, the offense lit up the scoreboard in Game 2.

Teams that win Game 1 at home in the first round are 105-13 in those series. The Thunder accomplished that on Sunday, and held serve at home on Wednesday knocking off the Pelicans with their offensive fire power.

Rookie center Chet Holmgren quickly found his groove turning in 20 points in the first half alone. The Gonzaga product did a great job of rendering Jonas Valanciunas useless. Holmgren ended the night with 23 points, 7 rebounds and two blocks on a trio of triples to lead Oklahoma City. to a Game 2 win.

Superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander displayed his tough-bucket-getting ability for the world to see on Wednesday. His exasperating mid-range shots dazzled the lively crowd and lit social media on fire.

The MVP candidate punished the Pelicans for 16 first-half points before finishing with 33 points, 5 assists and two steals.

Then, in the fourth quarter, Jalen Williams put the Pelicans out of their misery with a personal 5-0 run that ignited the crowd and handed OKC a 99-76 lead into a New Orleans timeout. The Sophomore ended with 21 points, five rebounds, seven assists and a steal.

pic.twitter.com/dUDO0cXMnt https://t.co/9VIHRCcCGZ
— Nick Crain (@CrainNBA) April 25, 2024

Chet drills his 3rd triple of the 1st quarter... he's got 13 already 🔥

Frantic pace early in OKC on TNT! pic.twitter.com/goZRtuv8yQ
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2024

Chet Holmgren to the entire Pelicans roster: pic.twitter.com/sgg1gbg0CP
— THE UNCONTESTED PODCAST (@The_Uncontested) April 25, 2024

The national message: "Valancunas is bullying Chet!"

The actual message: "Valancunas cannot defend anyone on the other end and is hemorrhaging points"
— Jacob Kniffen (@JacobKniffen) April 25, 2024

This place is an absolute mad house
— Bobby Howard (@BobbyHowardOK) April 25, 2024

OKC’s crowd never disappoints
— KENNY BEECHAM (@KOT4Q) April 25, 2024

AARON WIGGINS SAVING PLAYOFF BASKETBALL pic.twitter.com/gLsHjPPSib
— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) April 25, 2024

Jalen Williams is LOCKING UP and FIRED UP 🔒🗣️

NOP-OKC on TNT pic.twitter.com/VfQV78xY6x
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2024

Pelicans have 17 turnovers... 8 of those have been offensive fouls.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) April 25, 2024

"That's a baaaadd man right there"

SGA steps back for 24 in the game 🔥

NOP-OKC on TNT pic.twitter.com/x0JIC96glO
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2024

"NBA is gonna be too dangerous for Chet Holmgren."

Chet: pic.twitter.com/z5PHKBzao5
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) April 25, 2024

Lu Dort's defense on Brandon Ingram was pretty good in Game 1 and it's been even better tonight. Even when Ingram makes one, he's having to work really hard to do so.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) April 25, 2024

👑Kevin Harlan: "Holmgren... All arms & legs he's like a numchuck when gets that ball. Everything's moving in 18 different ways" pic.twitter.com/13WHHevpNq
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) April 25, 2024

pic.twitter.com/tyUO6HRyzL
— Jacob Kniffen (@JacobKniffen) April 25, 2024

Good stuff @ChetHolmgren! pic.twitter.com/CsauKEVJ4F
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) April 25, 2024

Lu Dort is a big game player man.

say what you want about him, but he rises to the occasion.
— #1 Thunder Film Room (@ThunderFilmRoom) April 25, 2024

🗣️🗣️🗣️ HE SAVED BASKETBALL https://t.co/Sf9UDTIyjl pic.twitter.com/X9WbT7IqqY
— Michael Martin (@MichaelOnSports) April 25, 2024

I regret to inform folks that while they won't win the title, the No.1 seed in the tougher conference is still a really good team.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) April 25, 2024

For the folks wondering how Chet Holmgren would fare against a physical big in the playoffs, here’s +/- through two games:

Chet Holmgren: +30
Jonas Valanciunas: -16
— Nick Crain (@CrainNBA) April 25, 2024

SGA, JDub, and Chet all have 20+ tonight. Last time the Thunder had 3 guys with 20 or more in the playoffs was 4-21-16 against the Mavs with KD, Russ, Enes.
— The Daniel Bell© (@BasketballGuruD) April 25, 2024

Up next, the series shifts to New Orleans as the Thunder take on the Pelicans in Game 3 on Saturday at 2:30 CT on TNT and Bally Sports.

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