Oklahoma City Thunder forward Luguentz Dort. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Thunder stun Pelicans with game-closing 12-0 run

By Sean Keane | Last updated 3/27/24

The Oklahoma City Thunder gave up a 20-point lead to the Pelicans. Then, they didn’t give up anything in the final three minutes.

Giddey finds Dort for 3️⃣ late in the 4th pic.twitter.com/Sbn9iqqnFM
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 27, 2024

Luguentz Dort hit the go-ahead shot after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied the game with a three and the Thunder closed the game on a 12-0 run to beat the Pelicans, 119-112.

Big shot Shai pic.twitter.com/JaSJQxVZlM
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 27, 2024

How did OKC lock down New Orleans so well? By taking away Zion Williamson. He had 29 points in the game but didn’t take a shot during the final minutes, thanks to Dort’s relentless full-court defense and Chet Holmgren waiting for him in the paint.

Instead, CJ McCollum took and missed four shots down the stretch, with Herb Jones contributing a missed three and a turnover. Meanwhile, OKC added another steal to its league-leading total and grabbed two big offensive rebounds — and its 50th win of the season.

Basketball is a game of runs. Right now, the Thunder are running on all cylinders.

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