New Orleans Pelicans Edge Oklahoma City Thunder 116–110 in Preseason Clash
The New Orleans Pelicans secured a 116–110 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 6, 2026, with Bennedict Mathurin’s efficient scoring standing out amidst balanced team efforts.
Archive recap · Listed by game date. First published Oct 17, 2026.
In the 2026–27 NBA preseason game on October 6, the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 116–110. The Pelicans built their lead through a strong third quarter, outscoring Oklahoma City 38–26. Bennedict Mathurin contributed 13 points, 2 rebounds, and 5 assists, shooting 3-of-5 from the field and converting all five of his free throws, showcasing his efficiency in 16 minutes on the court.
For the Thunder, Bennett Stirtz led the scoring with 15 points, including 3 three-pointers on 6-of-9 shooting overall, along with 5 rebounds and 6 assists in 30 minutes. Jared McCain added 12 points with a notable 4-of-8 from beyond the arc, alongside 5 assists but in limited 16 minutes. Both Thunder players showed high volume and involvement but combined for five turnovers.
A telling contrast between the teams was the Pelicans’ ability to capitalize on free throws, with Mathurin and Jeremiah Fears combining for nine made free throws on 11 attempts, while the Thunder had no free throw attempts from their top contributors. This difference in scoring opportunities contributed to New Orleans pulling ahead in the final quarter to secure the win.
- Game scores and player statistics supplied by BALLDONTLIE.
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