The Thunder have survived.
Powered by a pair of 30-point performances and a late clutch bucket by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder won a 123-118 play-in thriller over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday to advance to the second round of the play-in tournament. New Orleans saw its season come to a disappointing end on its home court.
The Pelicans opened up a 63-57 halftime lead, but the third quarter was all Oklahoma City. The Thunder scored 39 in the third to enter the fourth with a 96-87 edge.