'Put it to bed': Giddey stars in playoff clean-sweep
Josh Giddey has starred for the Oklahoma City Thunder as they completed an NBA playoffs clean-sweep against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The superstar Australian was at his electric best, while teammates Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams also produced quality displays in the 97-89 win.
Giddey dropped 14 points and hit some timely three-pointers to help OKC advance in the Western Conference, as they downed the Pelicans 4-0 in the series.
“We knew tonight was going to be a challenge … guys came in with the right mindset … and we put it to bed,” he said post-game.
Josh Giddey in action against the Pelicans in the NBA playoffs.
“There’s just some arenas you feel good in. This is probably one of them for me. I don’t know what it is … just being confident.
“The first two games of this series the shot wasn’t falling but just trusting the work. I was fortunate the last two games shots fell but it’s not going to be like it every night.
“So [it is] just [about] finding other ways to make an impact.”
Jalen Williams and Josh Giddey were outstanding in the 4th quarter.
Game-winning performances.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) April 30, 2024
The game turned on a fourth-quarter sequence which began with Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado knocking the ball from Gilgeous-Alexander as he attempted a mid-range shot. Pelicans guard CJ McCollum grabbed the ball and dribbled the other way on a two-on-one fast break against the Thunder’s Jalen Williams.
Soon after, Chet Holmgren’s putback and Josh Giddey’s 3 tied it at 80 and ignited a decisive 18-2 run, capped by Williams’ 3, that put the Thunder up 93-82 with 3:08 left.
Williams finished with 24 points. Giddey and Holmgren each scored 14 points. Holmgren also had nine rebounds.
OKC will now take on the winner of the Clippers and Mavericks in the second round.