Team Stats (Thunder at Pelicans) Final Score: 106-85 Rebounds: 47-45 Assists: 27-18 Blocks: 5-2 Steals: 13-14 Turnovers: 16-20 Stat Leaders (Thunder @ Pelicans) Scoring Leaders: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 24; Brandon Ingram, 19 Rebound Leaders: Jalen Williams, 9; Larry Nance, Jr., 13 Assist Leaders: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 8; CJ McCollum, 7 My Player of the Game: Jonas Valanciunas Takeaways There is one word to describe this loss: Embarrassing The Pelicans are down 3-0 in this series after this loss, and it was a bad loss. No one looked aggressive or hungry for a win. New Orleans had more than enough wide-open shots to win this game, but they couldn't hit a bucket for anything. In fact, the Pelicans shot 28% from behind the arc. It also didn't help that OKC shot 48% from the three-point line. Were the referees bad? You already know the answer to that. The Pels did not have one player score over 20 points. There really were no highlights to this game. Pelicans need to win the next four games to make it to the next round of the playoffs. Game 4 will be played on Monday, April 29 at 8:30 pm at home.  Follow The Kneaux on X , and follow me there too @SportsChrissy.

Team Stats (Pelicans at Thunder) Final Score: 92-124 Rebounds: 34-35 Assists: 15-25 Blocks: 2-2 Steals: 4-5 Turnovers: 17-8 Stat Leaders (Pelicans @ Thunder) Scoring Leaders: Jonas Valanciunas, 19; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 33 Rebound Leaders: Jonas Valanciunas, 7; Chet Holmgren, 7 Assist Leaders: CJ McCollum, 4; Jalen Williams, 7 My Player of the Game: Jonas Valanciunas Takeaways The difference in this game was turnovers and wide open missed three-point shots. The New Orleans Pelicans scored their first 11 points from Jonas Valanciunas, and then it all went downhill from there. The Pels had NINE offensive fouls, which was excessive as the referees were calling against the Pelicans more, but the Pels shot under 30% from the three-point line. Brandon Ingram doesn't look ready to be in the spotlight as he scored 18 points -- the same number Herb Jones made. OKC scored 96 points in Game 1 but 124 in Game 2. Pelicans needs Zion ASAP. New Orleans plays next on Saturday at HOME at 2:30 pm. Follow The Kneaux on X , and follow me there too @SportsChrissy.

Team Stats (Pelicans at Thunder) Final Score: 94-92 Rebounds: 52-44 Assists: 22-21 Blocks: 4-8 Steals: 9-9 Turnovers: 15-15 Stat Leaders (Pelicans @ Thunder) Scoring Leaders: Trey Murphy III, 21; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 28 Rebound Leaders: Jonas Valanciunas, 20; Chet Holmgren, 11 Assist Leaders: CJ McCollum, 6; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander/Jalen Williams, 4 My Player of the Game: Jonan Valanciunas Takeaways Pels lost by 2 to the #1 seed, and that's a win in my book. The New Orleans Pelicans are 0-24 when they are trailing into the 4th quarter and tonight was no different. Not sure what's going on, but BI looked off and even Herb Jones didn't look right. Pels just needed someone to step up and get hot and no one ever did. New Orleans plays next on Wednesday on TNT at 8:30 pm. Follow The Kneaux on X , and follow me there too @SportsChrissy.

Team Stats (Kings @ Pelicans) Final Score: 98-105 Rebounds: 40-45 Assists: 21-29 Blocks: 4-8 Steals: 9-9 Turnovers: 15-15 Stat Leaders (Kings @ Pelicans) Scoring Leaders: D'Aaron Fox, 35; Brandon Ingram, 24 Rebound Leaders: Domantas Sabonis, 14; Jonas Valanciunas, 12 Assist Leaders: Domantas Sabonis, 7; Brandon Ingram/Trey Murphy III, 6 My Player of the Game: Brandon Ingram Takeaways The New Orleans Pelicans are in the playoffs!! Brandon Ingram stepped up and scored 24 points to lead the way for Nola. Jonas Valanciunas played an overall game. He was the leading rebounder with 12. Turnovers were a big problem early in the game for the Pelicans, but they did better in the second half, which made a huge difference. Now the Pels will go on the road ;) to play the OKC Thunder. Game 1 is Sunday, April 21 at 8:30 pm CST on TNT.  Follow The Kneaux on X , and follow me there too @SportsChrissy.

Team Stats (Lakers @ Pelicans) Final Score: 110-106 Rebounds: 41-50 Assists: 24-30 Blocks: 7-2 Steals: 8-4 Turnovers: 8-12 Stat Leaders (Lakers @ Pelicans) Scoring Leaders: D'Angelo Russell, 21; Zion Williamson, 40 Rebound Leaders: Anthony Davis, 15; Zion Williamson, 11 Assist Leaders: LeBron James, 9; Jose Alvarado, 7 My Player of the Game: Zion Williamson Takeaways This was a statement game from Zion as he played unbelievably well scoring 40 points with 11 rebounds and hard-nosed defense. Unfortunately, he got hurt in the fourth quarter with what is being reported as a possibly left hamstring injury. The Pelicans came out with a much better plan and a fight in them that kept this game close until the end. Jose Alvarado was big-time with seven assists and his pestering defense. CJ's three-point shooting magic seems to have disappeared since Brandon Ingram has come back. The Pelicans will play an elimination game on Friday, April 19 at 8:30 pm at home against the Sacramento Kings, who the Pelicans have beaten five times this year.  The winner of this game will move on to the first round of the NBA Western Conference playoffs, and the loser will go home.