The New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder Match Player Stats from the NBA preseason matchup showed a strong second-half comeback from New Orleans, which defeated Oklahoma City 116-110 at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The official NBA box score lists the game as Tuesday, October 6, 2026, while the game information also shows a midnight listing for October 7. Oklahoma City controlled the first half and carried a 67-52 advantage into halftime, but New Orleans changed the rhythm after the break and outscored the Thunder 64-43 over the final two quarters. The Pelicans finished the night with a 116-110 victory.
The game featured several productive individual performances, particularly from New Orleans reserves and Oklahoma City’s young rotation. Bennedict Mathurin scored 13 points with five assists, while Jeremiah Fears added 12 points and shot efficiently from the field. Derik Queen recorded 10 points and nine rebounds, giving the Pelicans another strong interior contribution. For Oklahoma City, Bennett Stirtz led all scorers with 15 points while adding five rebounds and six assists. Aday Mara finished with 12 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks without missing a field-goal attempt. The result was decided by New Orleans’ second-half scoring surge and Oklahoma City’s 22 turnovers.
Final Score and Match Details
New Orleans entered halftime trailing by 15 points after Oklahoma City produced 34 points in the opening quarter and another 33 in the second. The Thunder’s 67 first-half points came from efficient shooting and a strong offensive rhythm. New Orleans, however, responded with 38 points in the third quarter, cutting deeply into the deficit before completing the comeback in the fourth. The Pelicans scored 26 points in the final period while limiting Oklahoma City to only 17, turning a double-digit halftime deficit into a six-point preseason victory.
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Teams | New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Competition | NBA Preseason |
| Official Game Date | October 6, 2026 |
| Venue | BOK Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| Final Score | Pelicans 116, Thunder 110 |
| Halftime Score | Thunder 67, Pelicans 52 |
| Result | New Orleans Pelicans won |
The final numbers show why the game moved in New Orleans’ direction despite Oklahoma City’s superior shooting percentage. The Thunder converted 52.6% of their field-goal attempts and 48.5% from three-point range, compared with 40.2% and 36.4% for the Pelicans. New Orleans made up for that difference by creating more possessions through offensive rebounds, drawing more free throws and protecting the ball far better. The Pelicans committed only 11 turnovers, while Oklahoma City gave the ball away 22 times. That 11-turnover difference was one of the clearest statistical factors behind the comeback.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
Oklahoma City established control immediately, taking a 34-28 lead after the first quarter. The Thunder continued that momentum in the second period, adding 33 points while holding New Orleans to 24. The combination of accurate outside shooting and efficient interior finishing helped Oklahoma City build a 15-point halftime advantage. Kenrich Williams connected on three three-pointers, while Jared McCain also made four shots from beyond the arc. Aday Mara was perfect from the field during his first-half minutes, helping the Thunder maintain their offensive efficiency.
| Quarter | New Orleans | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 28 | 34 |
| 2nd | 24 | 33 |
| 3rd | 38 | 26 |
| 4th | 26 | 17 |
| Final | 116 | 110 |
The third quarter completely changed the direction of the contest. New Orleans scored 38 points and reduced the deficit by 12, entering the fourth quarter only three points behind at 93-90. The Pelicans then completed the turnaround by winning the final period 26-17. Oklahoma City’s shooting efficiency remained strong for the full game, but its turnovers became increasingly costly as New Orleans generated 14 steals and converted more opportunities after Thunder mistakes. The Pelicans also finished with a 57-52 rebounding advantage, including 18 offensive rebounds.
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New Orleans Pelicans Player Stats
New Orleans received scoring from several players rather than relying on one dominant offensive performance. Bennedict Mathurin led the Pelicans with 13 points, shooting 3-for-5 from the field and making both of his three-point attempts. He also made all five of his free throws and added five assists. Jeremiah Fears scored 12 points on 3-for-6 shooting and connected on two three-pointers. Trey Murphy III and Zion Williamson each scored 11 points, while Derik Queen contributed 10 points and nine rebounds. Queen also recorded three steals, making his statistical line particularly useful across several areas.
| Pelicans Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bennedict Mathurin | 13 | 2 | 5 | 3-5 |
| Jeremiah Fears | 12 | 2 | 1 | 3-6 |
| Trey Murphy III | 11 | 3 | 2 | 4-11 |
| Zion Williamson | 11 | 4 | 1 | 4-6 |
| Derik Queen | 10 | 9 | 1 | 3-6 |
| Jordan Poole | 9 | 1 | 0 | 2-3 |
Dejounte Murray did not have a high-scoring night, finishing with six points, but he contributed six assists and four rebounds. Yves Missi added seven rebounds and four made free throws, while Trendon Watford supplied seven points and six rebounds from the bench. The Pelicans finished with 24 assists, 14 steals and four blocks. Their 18 offensive rebounds also created additional opportunities that helped compensate for their lower overall shooting percentage. The depth of the scoring was important because New Orleans had six players reach at least nine points.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Stats
Bennett Stirtz led Oklahoma City with 15 points and also produced five rebounds and six assists. He shot 6-for-9 from the field and 3-for-6 from three-point range, giving him an efficient offensive night despite the team’s eventual loss. Aday Mara was equally notable statistically, making all five of his field-goal attempts and both free throws to finish with 12 points. He added nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks in 18 minutes. Jared McCain also scored 12 points and made four three-pointers, while Brooks Barnhizer added 12 points on 4-for-5 shooting.
| Thunder Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bennett Stirtz | 15 | 5 | 6 | 6-9 |
| Aday Mara | 12 | 9 | 3 | 5-5 |
| Jared McCain | 12 | 1 | 5 | 4-10 |
| Brooks Barnhizer | 12 | 7 | 3 | 4-5 |
| Ajay Mitchell | 11 | 1 | 4 | 2-7 |
| Josh Dix | 11 | 2 | 2 | 4-7 |
Kenrich Williams also made an impact with nine points, eight rebounds and two assists while shooting 3-for-6 overall and 3-for-4 from three-point range. Christoph Tilly finished with nine points and four rebounds, while Otega Oweh recorded six points, six rebounds and two steals. Oklahoma City finished with 29 assists and eight blocks, showing that its offense and interior defense remained productive. The major issue was ball security, as the Thunder committed 22 turnovers compared with 11 by New Orleans.
Team Statistics and Shooting Comparison
The team statistics present an interesting contrast. Oklahoma City was significantly more accurate from the field, shooting 52.6% compared with New Orleans at 40.2%. The Thunder also shot 48.5% from three-point range, while the Pelicans made 36.4% of their attempts from outside. Oklahoma City therefore produced more efficient shooting throughout the contest. However, New Orleans made 34 free throws on 47 attempts, compared with only 14 made free throws on 21 attempts for the Thunder. That difference gave the Pelicans a substantial scoring advantage at the foul line.
| Team Statistic | Pelicans | Thunder |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | 35-87 | 40-76 |
| Field-Goal % | 40.2% | 52.6% |
| Three-Pointers | 12-33 | 16-33 |
| Three-Point % | 36.4% | 48.5% |
| Free Throws | 34-47 | 14-21 |
| Rebounds | 57 | 52 |
| Assists | 24 | 29 |
| Steals | 14 | 6 |
| Blocks | 4 | 8 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 22 |
The turnover and rebounding figures were especially important. New Orleans generated 14 steals and secured 57 total rebounds, including 18 offensive boards. Oklahoma City had only six offensive rebounds and turned the ball over twice as often as the Pelicans. The Thunder did have advantages in assists and blocks, but those strengths were not enough to protect a 15-point halftime lead. New Orleans’ ability to generate extra possessions and convert free throws helped close the efficiency gap. The statistical profile shows that shooting percentage alone did not determine the final result.
New Orleans’ Second-Half Comeback
The defining part of the New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder Match Player Stats was the Pelicans’ second-half response. After trailing 67-52 at halftime, New Orleans produced 38 points in the third quarter. That was 12 more points than Oklahoma City scored during the same period. The Pelicans attacked the game differently after the break, creating more opportunities at the free-throw line and making better use of their offensive rebounding. By the end of the third quarter, the Thunder’s lead had been reduced to only three points, completely changing the pressure entering the final period.
The fourth quarter followed the same pattern. New Orleans scored 26 points while Oklahoma City managed only 17, allowing the Pelicans to finish six points ahead. The Thunder’s 22 turnovers became increasingly significant because every possession carried greater importance as the margin narrowed. New Orleans also continued to create extra possessions through its 18 offensive rebounds. The comeback was therefore not simply a late shooting run. It developed through improved possession control, second-chance opportunities and a stronger defensive effort that restricted Oklahoma City’s scoring during the final two quarters.
Key Player Performances
Bennedict Mathurin’s 13-point performance gave New Orleans a reliable scoring contribution while his five assists added another dimension to the offense. Derik Queen was also important because he combined 10 points with nine rebounds and three steals. Zion Williamson scored 11 points on 4-for-6 shooting, while Trey Murphy III added 11 points and two steals. Jordan Poole supplied nine points in only 16 minutes and made five of six free throws. The Pelicans did not need a 25- or 30-point individual performance because several players contributed meaningful production across different statistical categories.
For Oklahoma City, Bennett Stirtz’s 15 points were accompanied by six assists and five rebounds, giving him the team’s highest scoring and playmaking totals. Aday Mara’s 12 points came on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting night, and his nine rebounds and three blocks highlighted his impact around the basket. Jared McCain made four three-pointers and finished with 12 points and five assists. Brooks Barnhizer was also efficient, scoring 12 points on 4-for-5 shooting. The Thunder’s young rotation showed strong individual efficiency, but the team’s collective turnover total ultimately outweighed those positive shooting numbers.
Key Turning Points and Game Flow
The first major turning point came after halftime. Oklahoma City had controlled the opening 24 minutes and looked positioned to carry its 15-point advantage through the second half. Instead, New Orleans immediately produced a 38-point third quarter. The Pelicans combined inside scoring, free throws and second-chance opportunities to reduce the deficit rapidly. The Thunder still led entering the fourth quarter, but the momentum had shifted. Four lead changes and four ties were recorded during the game, reflecting how dramatically the contest changed after Oklahoma City’s strong opening half.
The next decisive factor was New Orleans’ ball security compared with Oklahoma City’s. The Pelicans finished with 11 turnovers, while the Thunder committed 22. New Orleans also recorded 14 steals, more than twice Oklahoma City’s six. Those extra defensive plays helped create possessions during the comeback. The Pelicans’ 18 offensive rebounds were another important source of additional chances. Even though Oklahoma City shot 52.6% from the field, New Orleans repeatedly created ways to compensate through possession control, rebounding and free throws. Those factors ultimately allowed the Pelicans to complete the comeback.
What the Result Means for Both Teams
Because this was a preseason game, the 116-110 result does not affect the regular-season standings. Its primary value came from evaluating players, rotations and individual performances ahead of the regular season. New Orleans finished the preseason game with a 1-0 mark, according to the game statistics, while Oklahoma City opened at 0-1. The result also provided useful minutes for players competing for roles and rotation opportunities. For New Orleans, the comeback demonstrated depth, while Oklahoma City’s performance offered several encouraging individual shooting and playmaking displays despite the defeat.
The game also needs to be viewed in the context of preseason rotation management. Oklahoma City did not use several of its established core players, allowing younger players to take significant responsibility. That made Bennett Stirtz, Aday Mara, Jared McCain and other developing players central figures in the contest. New Orleans similarly distributed minutes among a broad group, with several players reaching double figures. The result therefore says more about the performances of the available rotation than it does about either team’s eventual regular-season strength. The competitive comeback nevertheless gave New Orleans a positive start to its preseason schedule.
Conclusion
The New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder Match Player Stats and Final Score tell the story of a game that changed dramatically after halftime. Oklahoma City led 67-52 at the break and shot 52.6% from the field for the game, but New Orleans responded with a 38-point third quarter before finishing the comeback with a 26-17 fourth. The Pelicans won 116-110 despite shooting only 40.2% overall. Their 57 rebounds, 18 offensive rebounds, 14 steals and only 11 turnovers helped overcome Oklahoma City’s shooting advantage and provided the foundation for the victory.
Bennedict Mathurin led New Orleans with 13 points, while Jeremiah Fears, Trey Murphy III, Zion Williamson and Derik Queen all made useful contributions. For Oklahoma City, Bennett Stirtz scored 15 points with six assists, while Aday Mara posted 12 points, nine rebounds and three blocks on perfect shooting. The final score reflected New Orleans’ superior control of possessions during the second half rather than a simple shooting advantage. As a preseason contest, the game provided both teams with valuable evaluation opportunities ahead of the regular season while giving the Pelicans a comeback victory in Tulsa.
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