Pelicans vs. Thunder live score, result: Dyson Daniels gets the W over Josh Giddey in first NBA matchup

Benyam Kidane

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Pelicans vs. Thunder live score, result: Dyson Daniels gets the W over Josh Giddey in first NBA matchup image

Tuesday's battle between the New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder had a distinct Aussie flavour, with childhood friends Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels facing each other for the first time in the NBA. 

The two mates who both played at the NBA Global Academy in Canberra before beginning their professional careers guarded each other for stretches, with Daniels walking away with the bragging rights as the Pelicans held on for a thrilling 105-101 win. 

Daniels played a season-high 28 minutes off the bench, recording five points, three assists, one rebound, and one steal, while Giddey finished with seven points, five rebounds, one assist, and a steal in 28 minutes. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC with 31 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Zion Williamson had 23 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists for New Orleans. 

If you missed any of the action, The Sporting News has you covered with all the live updates, highlights and more from tonight's game. 

Pelicans vs. Thunder live score

  1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q Final
Pelicans 34 22 25 24 105
Thunder 26 24 24 27 101

Pelicans vs. Thunder live updates

FINAL: Pelicans 105, Thunder 101

2:29 p.m. — Jones inbounds the ball off Poku's back and earns two free throws. He buries both and puts the Pels in front by four points with 1.5 seconds left. 

2:26 p.m. — Herb Jones makes the big play on defense, drawing an offensive foul on SGA! New Orleans leads 103-101 with 2.3 seconds on the clock. 

2:25 p.m. — Daniels wins the jump ball and gives the Pels possession. Head coach Willie Green was out on the floor desperately trying to call for a timeout. 

2:23 p.m. — Huge defensive play from Dyson Daniels, who comes up with the ball off the SGA drive to the basket. Jump ball!

2:21 p.m. — We're going right down to the wire here with the Pelicans holding a 102-101 lead with 44 seconds to go following Zion's bucket.

2:18 p.m. — SGA buries the free throw to give the Thunder their first lead of the game since the first quarter at 98-97 with 1:28 to go.

2:11 p.m. — JRE is called for a goaltend after blocking Alvarado's shot. He appeared to get a touch on it before the ball hit the glass and the Thunder will challenge the call.

Successful challenge: The call is overturned and the points wiped off. Pelicans lead 95-92 with 4:08 remaining. Thunder ball.

2:09 p.m. — A big triple from Pokuševski cuts the deficit to four points!

2:04 p.m. — Scary moment for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who hits the floor after an awkward fall. He's back up on his feet now. 

2:00 p.m. — SGA checks back into the game at the 7:49 mark with the Thunder trailing 90-83. We've got a big finish coming up here.

1:55 p.m. — HERB JONES!!!!

End of third quarter: Pelicans 81, Thunder 74

1:35 p.m. — New Orleans' swarming defense is making life tough for the Thunder with their perimeter players applying plenty of pressure. They've forced 13 turnovers, but have coughed it up 15 times themselves. 

1:34 p.m. — Zion powers to the rim for the emphatic two-handed jam, but it's waived off for a travel. 

1:33 p.m. — Josh Giddey checks out for Trae Mann with 5:54 remaining in the quarter.

1:28 p.m. — The Thunder have their hands full trying to keep Zion Williamson out of the paint as he bullies his way to another basket. Pelicans extend their lead to double digits, leading 68-58 midway through the quarter. 

Triple-double alert: Zion has 12 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. 

1:20 p.m. — SGA starting to get to his spots. He's up to a game-high 19 points, with 11 of them coming at the free-throw line. 

Half-time: Pelicans 56, Thunder 50

1:00 p.m. — Daniels attacks the rack and throws down the two-handed flush! He's up to five points off the bench tonight. 

12:58 p.m. — Zion Williamson getting busy in the lane!

12:50 p.m. — The Pelicans have gone scoreless for four straight minutes, but the Thunder haven't been able to make them pay with some wayward shooting from deep. OKC is just 5-of-17 from beyond the arc tonight. 

12:47 p.m. — The Pelicans swing the ball around and get it to Dyson Daniels for his second 3-pointer of the game. Pels lead 43-35.

End of first quarter: Pelicans 34, Thunder 26

The Pelicans close the quarter on a 10-1 run to take an eight-point lead into the first break. 

Giddey has seven points, one rebound, and one steal on 3-of-4 from the field, while Daniels has three points and two rebounds.

12:23 p.m. — Zion finds Daniels in the corner for three, getting his first bucket of the game!

12:28 p.m. — The Thunder are playing at a rapid pace tonight, catching the Pelicans out in transition with Gilgeous-Alexander and Giddey leading the charge. 

12:23 p.m. — Dyson Daniels checks into the game with 4:47 remaining in the first. Pelicans on a 12-2 run and lead 20-18.

12:17 p.m. — Tough start for Valancuinas, who is called for his second offensive foul of the game. 

12:13 p.m. — Josh Giddey puts his head down and attacks the rim for the score on back-to-back plays. Thunder lead 9-4. 

12:12 p.m. — Two minutes into the game and we already have our first Zion highlight as he elevates for the alley-oop finish!

12:15 p.m. — Herb Jones finishes at the rim for the first basket of the game to get things underway. 

Pregame

11:53 a.m. — Thunder starters: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Lu Dort, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Aleksej Pokuševski.

11:52 a.m. — Pelicans starters: Jose Alvarado, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, Zion Williamson, Jonas Valancuinas.

11:37 a.m. — New Orleans' Brandon Ingram, Larry Nance Jr. and Naji Marshall are all out for tonight's game.

11:13 a.m. — It's almost time!

11:00 a.m. — Check in with Erin Summers ahead of tonight's contest

What channel is Pelicans vs. Thunder on?

  • Date: Tuesday, Nov. 29
  • TV channel: ESPN Australia/Kayo Sports
  • Live stream: NBA League Pass

Pelicans vs. Thunder will air nationally on ESPN Australia/Kayo Sports. Viewers can also stream the game on NBA League Pass.

Pelicans vs. Thunder start time

  • Date: Tuesday, Nov. 29
  • Time: 12:00 p.m. AEDT

Pelicans vs. Thunder is scheduled to tip off around 12:00 p.m. AEDT on Tuesday, Nov. 29. The game will be played at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.

Betting Odds

All odds via TAB

On their home floor, the Pelicans are favoured by -5.5 points. 

Pelicans: $1.48

Thunder: 2.70

For NBA on Tap, Download the New TAB app, official wagering partner of the NBA. Gamble Responsibly. Gambler's Help 1800 858 858

Pelicans schedule 2022-23

Here are New Orleans' next five games:

Date Opponent Time (AEDT) TV channel
Nov. 29 vs. Thunder 12:00 p.m. ESPN
Dec. 1 vs Raptors 12:00 p.m —
Dec. 3 at Spurs 12:00 p.m —
Dec. 5 vs. Nuggets 7:30 a.m. —
Dec. 8 vs. Pistons 12:00 p.m. —

Thunder schedule 2022-23

Here are Oklahoma City's next five games:

Date Opponent Time (AEDT) TV channel
Nov. 29 at Pelicans 12:00 p.m. ESPN
Dec. 1 vs. Spurs 12:00 p.m. —
Dec. 4 at Timberwolves 12:00 p.m. —
Dec. 6 at Hawks 11:30 a.m. —
Dec. 8 at Grizzlies 12:00 p.m. —

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.