Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder Thrill NBA Fans in G1 Win vs. Pelicans With Zion Out

The Oklahoma City Thunder are up 1-0 after a 94-92 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night.

A tightly contested game saw the Thunder pull away in the late stages of the fourth quarter to win Game 1 against the Zion Williamson-less Pelicans. Williamson suffered a hamstring injury in New Orleans' play-in game last week and will likely miss the majority of the series.

The Thunder had a narrow lead heading into the fourth quarter, but the Pelicans came storming back to tie things up in the final minutes. With less than a minute to go, rookie phenom Chet Holmgren came up with a huge block and MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander converted a clutch and-one to give Oklahoma City a three-point cushion on the other end.

That clutch bucket helped decide the game and Gilgeous-Alexander finished the night with 28 points, six rebounds and four assists.

After the nail-biting win, fans praised the young Thunder team for the win as most of the players on the roster played in their first playoff game.

Now the top seed in the West will look to continue defending its home court in Game 2 to try to pick up a 2-0 lead in the series. Sunday's game proved to be a test with more than 40 lead changes, and Oklahoma City will be looking for a more comfortable win on Wednesday.

If anything, Sunday's game gave the Thunder's young core a taste of playoff basketball, and they should be prepared for any battle they might face in the rest of the series.

Oklahoma City will take on New Orleans in Game 2 on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET.