The vibe in the Smoothie King Center has been... heavy lately. If you’ve been watching the New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City matchups over the last couple of years, you know exactly why. It’s not just that the Pelicans are losing. It’s the way they’re losing. Honestly, it’s felt less like a rivalry and more like a recurring nightmare for the folks in New Orleans.
Last season, the Thunder basically lived in the Pelicans' heads. They swept them in the first round of the 2024 playoffs, and since then, they haven't really taken their foot off the gas. As of January 2026, the Thunder have rattled off 11 straight wins against New Orleans. That’s a lot of nights of Zion Williamson and company heading to the locker room wondering what just hit them.
The Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Problem
You can’t talk about New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City without talking about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA). The guy is playing like he's in a video game with the sliders turned all the way up. He's the reigning league and Finals MVP for a reason. In their meeting back on November 2, 2025, Shai dropped 30 points in just 30 minutes.
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He didn't even have to break a sweat.
He was a perfect 13-of-13 from the free-throw line in that game. That is just demoralizing for a defense. When you have a guy who gets to his spots that easily, it breaks your scheme. New Orleans tries to throw different looks at him—Herb Jones is one of the best defenders in the league—but Shai just glides.
Why the Pelicans Keep Falling Short
So, what is actually going on with New Orleans? On paper, they have talent. You’ve got Zion. You’ve got Trey Murphy III. They even brought in Jordan Poole and Dejounte Murray to shake things up. But the chemistry is just... off. Or maybe it's the health. It’s always the health with this team, isn't it?
- The Three-Point Gap: The Thunder are a flamethrower team. They rank near the top of the league in perimeter shooting. Meanwhile, the Pelicans have struggled to even make 10 threes in a game during some of their worst stretches this season.
- Transition Defense: OKC is young and fast. If you turn the ball over against Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, they are going to dunk on your head before you even cross half-court.
- The Interim Factor: James Borrego took over as interim head coach in November 2025. Transitions like that are never easy, especially when your first few weeks involve facing the defending champs.
Honestly, the Pelicans' roster looks like a puzzle where the pieces were cut by three different people. You have Zion, who needs the paint open. You have Jordan Poole, who wants to shoot 15 times a night. Then you have rookies like Jeremiah Fears trying to find their footing. It’s a lot of "your turn, my turn" basketball.
The Chet Holmgren Effect
We have to give Chet Holmgren his flowers. He missed that early November matchup against the Pels, and OKC still won by 31 points. Think about that. When he is on the floor, he changes everything. He’s 7-foot-1 but moves like a wing. In the November 17 game, he and Shai basically put on a clinic, leading the Thunder to a 126-109 win.
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Chet’s ability to protect the rim while also shooting 40% from deep makes him a matchup nightmare for Zion. If Zion stays in the paint to help on Shai, Chet is open for three. If the Pelicans pull a big man out to cover Chet, the lane is wide open for SGA. It’s a "pick your poison" scenario where the poison is always lethal.
Head-to-Head Reality Check
If you’re a betting person, the trends for New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City are pretty ugly if you like the Pels.
- Last 10 Games: OKC has won 10 out of 10.
- Against the Spread: The Thunder have covered in 9 of those 10.
- Average Margin: Most of these games haven't even been close. We're talking double-digit blowouts.
The Pelicans are currently sitting way back in the Southwest Division standings, hovering around a .214 winning percentage. Meanwhile, OKC is at the top of the West, looking like they might actually repeat as champions.
What Needs to Change for New Orleans?
If New Orleans wants to make the next New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City game on January 27, 2026, competitive, they have to fix the math. You cannot win in the modern NBA when the other team makes seven more threes than you and shoots 15 more free throws.
Trey Murphy III has been a bright spot, averaging about 24.5 points recently, but he needs help. Zion is still Zion—he’s going to get his 20 to 25 points on high efficiency—but the supporting cast is inconsistent. Dejounte Murray has to be the floor general they traded for. He needs to slow the game down and stop the bleeding when OKC starts one of those 12-0 runs they are famous for.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following this matchup, keep these things in mind:
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- Watch the Injury Report: Both teams have been banged up. If Chet or Shai sits, the Pelicans actually have a puncher’s chance. If they’re healthy? Forget it.
- The "Under" Might Be Your Friend: When the Pelicans struggle to score, these games can turn into slogs, even if OKC is efficient.
- Jeremiah Fears Watch: The rookie has been getting starts and showing flashes. If you're looking for a reason to be optimistic about the Pelicans' future, he’s a big part of it.
The reality is that Oklahoma City has built a dynasty-level foundation. They are deep, they are disciplined, and they have the best player on the floor almost every night. For the Pelicans to break this 11-game losing streak, they don't just need a good game—they need a perfect one. They need to dominate the glass with Kevon Looney and Yves Missi, and they need Jordan Poole to actually play like the "microwave" scorer he's supposed to be.
The next time these two meet at the Paycom Center, the pressure will be entirely on New Orleans. OKC knows they own this matchup. The Pelicans are the ones fighting for their lives, trying to prove they still belong in the conversation.
Next Steps for Following the Season:
Check the official NBA injury report two hours before tip-off, as OKC has been known to manage Chet Holmgren’s minutes in back-to-back situations. Also, keep an eye on the Pelicans' waiver wire moves; with James Borrego in the interim seat, the front office might be looking to move veteran contracts before the February trade deadline to rebuild around their younger core.