#Pelicans 2024 playoff profile on Larry Nance Jr., one of 12 nominees for #NBA Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award. Herb Jones on Nance: 'He's a great guy. Always bringing positive energy.' Nance profile: neworlns.co/4aMyi22 Valanciunas profile: neworlns.co/3Qd73FF

#AlwaysHeave

5 things ( #Pelicans return to practice Tuesday afternoon in OKC; The New Orleans Pelicans Podcast with John DeShazier on Game 1 and what's ahead; playoff profile on Valanciunas): nba.com/pelicans/news/…

Enjoyed catching up with JD and breaking down a few important topics from Game 1, including its low scoring, the level of physicality on defense, what #Pelicans need to do better Wednesday

He hasn't always had a heavy-minutes role this season, but Jonas Valanciunas is always ready for battle when his number is called, providing big weekend performances in the paint vs. Kings and OKC. #Pelicans 2024 playoff profile on the 12-year #NBA center: neworlns.co/3Qd73FF

Brandon Ingram on #Pelicans in Game 1: 'I think the encouraging thing is we lost by two (points), and some of our players didn't have their best games. We're encouraged by that.'

5 things ( #Pelicans had chance to win at buzzer in Oklahoma City but drop Game 1 by 94-92 final, nearly becoming only #NBA road team to prevail on weekend; video interviews with McCollum, Murphy, Ingram, Green; Valanciunas highlights; photo gallery): nba.com/pelicans/news/…

Had to double-check this, but during the regular season #Pelicans shot at least 10 free throws in all 82 games. They took nine foul shots in Game 1 at Oklahoma City

Said this on #Pelicans postgame radio, but I think both teams will spend the next two days saying 'there's NO WAY we won't shoot better and be much more efficient offensively in Game 2.' Interested to see how that impacts Wednesday

We are sometimes starving for observations like this from national media, who otherwise often do drive-by watching of #Pelicans . I respect anyone like these guys who you can tell catch a lot of games and knows details beyond the 1 or 2 most well-known players on a roster

A Game 1 filled with lead changes, physical defense, rough shooting goes Thunder's way by a basket, beating #Pelicans by 94-92 count. New Orleans misfires a 3 at buzzer with chance to win. Postgame wrap: neworlns.co/3JzTDzv

Offense couldn't come up with a basket with the game at stake. Thunder win Game 1 by 2

NANCE STEAL, B.I. LAY

PELICANS TAKE THE LEAD.

Herb Jones hadn't been making shots but Herbert Keyshawn Jones sinks a huge 3 in 4Q. Then Brandon Ingram pretty finger roll puts Pels up 2 at 3:34. Ingram looked a little hesitant while driving, waiting for a Dort sledgehammer but able to drop it in no problem

Even better, he's only played in seven playoff games for New Orleans

I thought we decided jumping into a defender was not going to draw free throws tonight

Naji Marshall's big defensive play at the timeline vs. Jalen Williams seemed to spark #Pelicans , who answer back after OKC looked poised to take control

Having the ball in close proximity to a defender has been a bad proposition all night. Not getting a call

Big minutes from Larry Nance Jr. again late 3Q, both ends of the floor

Climbing on the Lithuanian is not supposed to be within the rules