The big picture

New Orleans Pelicans come in 19th on the ladder; Oklahoma City Thunder are 5th. Oklahoma City Thunder are the side higher up the table.

New Orleans Pelicans are 4–5 in NBA 2026-27, averaging 120.2 points for and 118.8 against.

Oklahoma City Thunder are 7–2 in NBA 2026-27, averaging 112 points for and 107.4 against.

Form

New Orleans Pelicans have won four of their last five and most recently lost to Minnesota Timberwolves 109–115.

Oklahoma City Thunder have won three of their last five and most recently beat Memphis Grizzlies 128–97.

Oklahoma City Thunder arrive on a 3-game winning streak.

Head to head

These sides have met 50 times on our records since 2013: New Orleans Pelicans 16, Oklahoma City Thunder 34.

Last time out (2025-26), Oklahoma City Thunder won 104–95 at Paycom Center.

Oklahoma City Thunder have won the last 13 against New Orleans Pelicans.

Biggest margin between these two: Oklahoma City Thunder by 36 points in 2024-25 (137–101).

Players to watch

For New Orleans Pelicans, watch Zion Williamson (20.6 points a game, 49 rebounds in 2026-27) and Saddiq Bey (16.4 points a game, 36 rebounds in 2026-27).

For Oklahoma City Thunder, watch Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (29.9 points a game, 37 rebounds in 2026-27) and Ajay Mitchell (19.7 points a game, 33 rebounds in 2026-27).

Milestone watch

Saddiq Bey is 2 rebounds short of 2,000 for their career.

At Smoothie King Center

New Orleans Pelicans have won 12 of their last 20 at Smoothie King Center.

What the numbers say

On form, ladder and history, Oklahoma City Thunder have the edge.