Thunder @ Pelicans Takeaways

Chrissy Smith • November 18, 2025

Team Stats

(Thunder at Pelicans)

Final Score: 126-109

Rebounds: 38-35

Assists: 30-21

Blocks: 5-4

Steals: 12-9

Turnovers: 16-20


Stat Leaders

Scoring Leaders: Chet Holmgren, 26; Jeremiah Fears, 24

Rebound Leaders: Chet Holmgren, 9; Derik Queen, 8

Assist Leaders: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 8; Jordan Hawkins, 6

My Player of the Game: Jeremiah Fears


Chrissy's Key Takeaways

* The ONLY good part about tonight's game was that no matter how far down the Pelicans got in the game, adjustments kept being made by James Borrego to help the home team go on some sort of run.

* The Pelicans started off the game with two turnovers, when they knew the key to the game was to minimize turnovers. And then the Thunder scored 49 points in the first quarter because at one point, the Pelicans had more turnovers than shots taken.

* Where is the pride in this team? Are they OK with making paychecks and looking pitiful against every team night after night?

* The defense and turnovers have to improve or who knows when this team will win another game.

* The Pelicans are now 2-12 on the season. Zion and Jordan Poole are still out with their injuries. Saddiq Bey was out tonight too with some kind of injury.


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By Kaden Arkeder • October 18, 2026
Well this Giants game was one hell of a rollercoaster game. I will say a win is a win which everyone can agree the Saints had to do today. So although they almost blew a 24 point lead you take the W and prepare for the Steelers in Paris next week. But let us quickly break down the game today and put into context the whole game. Coming into the game owner Gayle Benson called out the entire organization to say their recent play was unacceptable and needed to be corrected ASAP. She made an appearance at Saints practice on Friday which was mostly seen as I still believe in you so go out there and get this right type of move. So with that as the backdrop before the game how did the Saints do starting off this game? Not well. The start of this game was pretty much like all of the Kellen Moore coached games for the Saints. A struggle to find a rhythm, find some semblance of a run game, shoot, a struggle just to execute penalty free football. Essentially all of the issues people have been harping on were issues again today. If it were not for a Giants fumble before the half the Saints would have been down 10-3 at halftime however they managed to capitalize and tie the game 10-10. But I think what helped jumpstart the lifeless offense was the injury replacement of Jeremiah Wright who took over for Cesar Ruiz in that last drive before the half as suddenly the run game looked to have some teeth to it. With the Saints quickly finding the run game and thus a rhythm on offense, the offense came to life and put up a couple scoring drives to make the game feel out of reach for a Giants comeback. At least, that is what Kellen Moore and his staff thought with ten minutes to go with a 34-10 lead. They went ahead and put the backups in like they had already earned the win and made bad play call after bad play call because they felt it was wrapped up. But it was not and the Saints almost cost themselves the game because of it. The Giants had a real shot with 10 seconds and 10 yards to go to at least tie the game to force OT or even go for the win by going for two. The entire organization should feel fortunate the Giants' comeback fell short because I do not know if any one would have been safe for another week if a complete meltdown had occurred. But the Saints managed to win 34-27 and at the end of the day they did what they had to do. But I cannot come away after watching this game thinking the Saints have turned a corner with this performance. Kellen Moore and his staff bought themselves a bit more time. It could end up being just one more week when it is all said and done but I cannot help to feel like they lucked into this win based on how this game was prepared for and coached. Those two elements did not change with this win. There are just too many questionable coaching decisions being made hindering what the Saints could be right now to even begin to feel like this win was the start of the coaching staff fixing the issues plaguing the team. Thankfully for them those decisions did not cost them today. For now the Saints will board a plane and continue fighting for their season in Paris, France where the surroundings there are equally questionable as this Saints team.
By Matt Miguez • October 18, 2026
This should be in the dictonary under "must-win".
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