OKLAHOMA CITY – By halftime Saturday, the entire planned starting frontcourt for New Orleans at the start of 2019-20 was out of commission, with Brandon Ingram (head injury) joining Zion Williamson and Derrick Favors in being sidelined since mid-October. Ingram apparently was inadvertently struck in the head on a second-quarter play.
Playing without that trio, the Pelicans hung in the game for a long stretch, but the Thunder ultimately gained some separation in the final couple minutes. New Orleans is still seeking its first road victory of 2019-20, with a two-game trip concluding Monday in Brooklyn.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
OKC’s Dennis Schroder picked off a New Orleans pass and drew a foul going the other way with 58 seconds left.