Thunder Set Franchise Record With 49-Point Quarter as Daigneault Praises Dort’s Breakout Shooting

The Oklahoma City Thunder delivered one of the most commanding starts to a game in franchise history on Monday night, overwhelming the New Orleans Pelicans with a 49-point first quarter en route to a 126-109 victory. The offensive eruption marked the highest-scoring quarter the Thunder have ever recorded, showcasing a team that has looked increasingly dangerous to open the 2025-26 season.

Oklahoma City’s early surge was sparked by veteran wing Lu Dort, who knocked down four three-pointers in the opening frame and finished the night with 17 points. His accuracy helped the Thunder build a 25-point lead after just 12 minutes, setting the tone for a performance that leaned on both pace and defensive pressure.

Head coach Mark Daigneault credited the team’s readiness and execution, emphasizing that the defensive intensity early in the game directly fueled their offensive rhythm. His team’s energy on both ends helped secure another statement win during a run that is shaping into one of the strongest starts in league history.

While the Thunder drifted in and out of their best form throughout the night, the first and third quarters showcased the sharp, disciplined basketball that has come to define their ascension as defending champions.

1. Thunder Find Immediate Rhythm

Daigneault pointed to the team’s preparation and focus as the catalyst for the record-setting start. He said the Thunder were “dialed in” from the opening tip, executing both defensively and offensively in a way that overwhelmed New Orleans before the game could settle. Dort’s shooting barrage served as the early spark. The veteran guard capitalized on defensive cross-matches—particularly the Pelicans’ decision to put rookie big man Yves Missi on him—by firing confidently from deep. His 4-of-6 performance from beyond the arc injected instant momentum into Oklahoma City’s offense. The Thunder as a whole shot 17-of-42 from long range, finishing above 40% from three in one of their best perimeter performances of the season. It was a notable outlier for a team that has struggled from deep through the early part of the campaign. Even as the Pelicans attempted to adjust, the Thunder sustained their pace long enough to build an advantage that proved insurmountable, leaning on defense-to-offense transitions to maintain control.

2. Key Performances Fuel Dominant Win

While Dort opened the floodgates, Oklahoma City received major contributions from its stars. Chet Holmgren led the way with 26 points and nine rebounds, continuing his emergence as one of the league’s most versatile frontcourt scorers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered another efficient outing, scoring 23 points on just nine shot attempts while adding eight assists and three steals. His poise and command helped stabilize the Thunder whenever the Pelicans made minor pushes. Isaiah Hartenstein also played a key role, providing 16 points, six assists, and four steals in a strong two-way performance that complemented Oklahoma City’s starters. His presence on both ends allowed the Thunder to maintain their defensive structure and ball movement through multiple rotations. Collectively, the Thunder’s balanced scoring and defensive pressure highlighted the depth and versatility that have positioned them as early leaders in the Western Conference.

3. Three-Point Shooting Shows Signs of Progress

Despite their dominant record, the Thunder have been one of the league’s least accurate three-point shooting teams this season, entering Monday’s matchup ranked in the bottom 10 at just 34.8%. Their 40.5% mark against the Pelicans represented one of their few truly efficient nights from long range. Daigneault has downplayed concerns about the slump, noting that Oklahoma City was among the league’s better long-range teams last season. Monday’s performance reaffirmed that the potential for improvement remains strong, especially as shooters regain rhythm. Isaiah Joe, one of the NBA’s most consistent floor-spacers, added four threes of his own on 10 attempts. His streak of making at least one triple in every game this season continued as he tallied nine threes across his last three outings. The combination of improving accuracy from Joe, Dort’s breakout night, and more consistent spacing could provide the Thunder with an offensive boost as they push toward what could become a historically strong season.