Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 28 points as top-seeded Thunder edge Pelicans 94-92 in Game 1

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Hours after the NBA announced Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was selected as a finalist for the league’s Most Valuable Player award, Oklahoma City's All-Star guard showed why.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points, including the go-ahead basket in the final minute, and the top-seeded Thunder edged the New Orleans Pelicans 94-92 in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series Sunday night.

New Orleans' CJ McCollum missed a leaning 3-pointer in the closing seconds and the Thunder held on to win their first home playoff game since 2019.

“I thought we showed great grit down the stretch," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. "Obviously, that was a tight game. It was a bit of a brawl for both teams offensively. And we made plays defensively down the stretch — big time plays — and had the resolve to go in and win the game.”

Jalen Williams scored 19 points and Chet Holmgren added 15 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks for the Thunder, who will host Game 2 on Wednesday night.

Trey Murphy III scored 21 points, McCollum had 20 and Jonas Valanciunas added 13 points and 20 rebounds for the Pelicans. Zion Williamson, New Orleans’ leading scorer in the regular season, sat out with a strained left hamstring.

Gilgeous-Alexander made an off-balance jumper in the paint with 32.5 seconds left to break a 90-all tie and was fouled on the play. With the crowd chanting “M-V-P!” Gilgeous-Alexander made the free throw to put Oklahoma City ahead 93-90.

“I set a screen on the ball," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "And they switched on Dub (Williams). And then I just caught the ball at the elbow and just tried to be aggressive and make a play that I’ve made before.”

McCollum's mid-range jumper made it 93-92.

Holmgren was fouled with 14 seconds left. He missed the first free throw and made the second to put the Thunder ahead 94-92 and set up McCollum's final shot. Thunder rookie Cason Wallace forced him to scramble and take a difficult shot.

“I got the switch," McCollum said. "I should have attacked a little earlier, a little faster. But credit, it was good defense. ... I thought it was cash and I missed it long.”

The energy from the Oklahoma City fans — most wearing white Thunder T-shirts — was off the charts, and Holmgren brought them to a fever pitch by opening the scoring with a 3-pointer.

“It was amazing," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "They were exactly what I expected. ... They were perfect.”

The game was tied at 17 at the end of the first quarter and tied at 43 at halftime. The Thunder held New Orleans to 34% shooting in the first half, but missed a lot of open shots. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 11 points before the break.

New Orleans led 50-48 in the third quarter before the Thunder went on an 11-0 run over a three-minute span that put them up 59-50.

New Orleans recovered to briefly take the lead, but Oklahoma City closed the third quarter strong. Isaiah Joe hit a 3-pointer with 6.6 seconds left in the quarter to put the Thunder up 74-68 heading into the fourth.

New Orleans missed several opportunities to seize control in the final quarter.

“We had quality shots coming down the stretch that we just didn’t make, and it came down to the final play," Pelicans coach Willie Green said. "Our guys fought all night. Defense was solid. Game plan was executed at a high level. We’ve got to knock down some shots.”

It was a defensive battle between teams that both averaged more than 115 points in the regular season.

“This is what it’s going to be,” Green said. “We’re physical with them, they’re physical with us and that’s a part of the game. That’s a part of playoff basketball.”

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey, middle, tries to pass around New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) and guard Trey Murphy III (25) in the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) shoots around New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas (17) and forward Brandon Ingram, middle, in the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) tries to block a shot by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) in the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) tries to block a shot by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) in the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas, left, and forward Herbert Jones (5) in the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Filly Thorpedo Anna went wire to wire to dominate the 150th Kentucky Oaks, pulling away from a charging Just F Y I in the slop to win by at least four lengths on Friday at Churchill Downs.

Thorpedo Anna's official margin of victory wasn't immediately available, but the dark brown horse was briefly the top choice before eventually going off at 4-1 odds and staking her claim right away. She led by at least a length over Fiona’s Magic and then Into Champagne into the far turn before Just F Y I charged into contention entering the stretch.

Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. then took Thorpedo Anna up a gear to break away and cover the 1 1/8 mile in 1:50.83 for her fourth victory in five starts. It was trainer Kenny McPeek's first Oaks triumph.

Regulatory Risk was third.

Thorpedo Anna paid $10.98, $6.06 and $3.06. Just F Y I returned $5.06 and 3.98 for second while Regulatory Risk paid $11.82.

Friday marked the week-old spring meet's first day with off conditions on Churchill Downs' upgraded surface installed last year as part of several safety changes that followed last spring’s spate of 12 deaths at the historic track. That total included seven horses in the week leading up to the Kentucky Derby and two on the Derby undercard.

The first half of the 13-race card went off under a steady drizzle, and the rain tapered off to intermittent showers throughout the afternoon. An allowance optional claiming race on turf was moved to the dirt and resulted in eight scratches.

AP horse racing: https://apnews.com/hub/horse-racing

Horses run after leaving the starting gate at Churchill Downs during the 150th running of the Kentucky Oaks horse race Friday, May 3, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Brian Hernandez Jr. rides Thorpedo Anna to win he 150th running of Kentucky Oaks horse race at Churchill Downs Friday, May 3, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Brian Hernandez Jr. rides Thorpedo Anna to win he 150th running of Kentucky Oaks horse race at Churchill Downs Friday, May 3, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Brian Hernandez Jr. rides Thorpedo Anna to win he 150th running of Kentucky Oaks horse race at Churchill Downs Friday, May 3, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)