The Oklahoma City Thunder survived the battle of attrition against the depleted New Orleans Pelicans with a 106-88 win. OKC has won both games in its small-ball era since Chet Holmgren suffered a hip fracture.

Jalen Williams scored a season-high 31 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 106-88 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday in Oklahoma City.

OKC still ran their pockets in a 106-88 win to improve to 10-2, matching its best start since the 2011-12 season. Granted, injury-riddled is an understatement. A printed version of New Orleans’ roster comes with a complimentary cast.

For the Pelicans, several starters will be absent. Zion Williamson (hamstring strain) is out. Dejounte Murray (hand fracture) is out. CJ McCollum (adductor strain) is out. Herb Jones (shoulder strain) is out. Jose Alvarado (hamstring strain) is out. Jordan Hawkins (back strain) is out. Karlo Matkovic (G League assignment) is out.

The red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder face off against the struggling New Orleans Pelicans tonight. While both teams are missing key players, the Pelicans are far more severely shorthanded. New Orleans is on a five-game losing streak and in desperate need of a win.

How not having Alex Caruso against the Pelicans adds more problems for the Chet Holmgren-less Thunder. Competing without Chet Holmgren became more complicated for the Oklahoma City Thunder as Alex Caruso was ruled out before their matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans.