The Oklahoma City Thunder will begin the 2024 NBA playoffs on Sunday with Game 1 of the first round against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The first-seeded Thunder return to action after a week off. Meanwhile, the Pelicans had to survive the play-in tournament to earn the eighth seed. New Orleans’ win over the Sacramento Kings on Friday secured its playoff berth.
The Thunder have a clean bill of health for Game 1. Nobody was on their injury report. Meanwhile, the Pelicans will be without Zion Williamson (hamstring strain), who will miss most — if not all — of the first-round series.
This will have massive ramifications on how the series plays out. The Pelicans will be without their best player, who has enjoyed a career season after struggling to stay healthy the last two years.
In the season series, OKC won two of the three matchups against New Orleans. OKC’s loss was the result of a blown 22-point lead in the season’s opening weeks.
Tipoff from Oklahoma City is set for 8:30 p.m. CT.
