Devonte' Graham made one of the greatest game-winning buzzer-beaters in NBA history, banking in a 61-footer to give the New Orleans Pelicans (9-21) a thrilling 113-110 (24-28, 21-23, 30-27, 38-32) win over the Oklahoma City Thunder (8-19) on Wednesday.
| Player of the Game | |
|
EFF
30
|
| Jonas Valančiūnas | |
| Points | 19 |
| Accuracy | 8-10 |
| Rebounds | 16 |
| Assists | 0 |
Just moments before Graham's heave from three-quarters court, the Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander nailed a deep 3-pointer of his own with 1.4 seconds left to tie the game. Gilgeous-Alexander's 30-footer came as he was avoiding a foul that would have sent him to the free-throw line for two shots.
However, Graham stole the show moments later, taking one dribble and launching from near the opposing 3-point arc. His miracle shot sent Oklahoma City to its third consecutive loss and 13th in 16 games.
According to ESPN, Graham's shot was the longest game-winning buzzer-beater in the NBA in the last 25 years. Additionally, ESPN noted that Wednesday's thriller marked the first game in the last 25 seasons to feature two tying or go-ahead baskets of at least 30 feet in the final five seconds of a game.
Before Graham's shot, Brandon Ingram (34 points) scored the Pelicans' previous 10 points. He tied the game with a layup and then put the visitors ahead with a steal and a dunk on the next possession.
Jonas Valancuinas had 19 points and 16 rebounds for New Orleans, while Graham added 15 points and eight assists.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 points to lead the Thunder, making all nine of his free throws. In fact, Oklahoma City made all 19 of its free-throw tries -- 14 in the fourth quarter.
The Thunder's bench scored 52 points, including 17 from Kenrich Williams and 16 by Mike Muscala. Williams tied a career-high with five 3-pointers.
Through three quarters, the Pelicans held a 26-5 edge in free-throw attempts. But in the fourth quarter, Oklahoma City got to the line repeatedly, including Muscala being fouled twice by Garrett Temple on 3-point tries during a 30-second stretch early in the fourth.
Going toe-to-toe with Ingram, Gilgeous-Alexander hit a 3-pointer with just under 30 seconds left to pull Oklahoma City within one. He then made a pair of free throws to keep the game within reach before drilling his fourth 3-pointer just before Graham's desperation shot stunned the home crowd.
Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 33 (6/17 2PT, 4/8 3PT, 9/9 FT, 5 REB), Josh Giddey 17 (7/13 2PT, 1/5 3PT, 9 REB, 7 AST), Kenrich Williams 17 (5/6 3PT, 6 REB) po 17, Mike Muscala 16 (2/4 3PT, 6/6 FT, 5 REB).
Pelicans: Brandon Ingram 34 (10/19 2PT, 11/15 FT, 8 REB, 4 AST), Jonas Valančiūnas 19 (7/9 2PT, 16 REB, 4 TO), Devonte Graham 15 (5/10 3PT, 8 AST), Josh Hart 11 (7 REB, 5 AST).
Full game highlights:
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