Holmgren scores 26 as the Thunder roll to a 126-109 win over the reeling Pelicans

NEW ORLEANS AP Chet Holmgren scored points and grabbed nine rebounds and the Oklahoma City Thunder raced to an early double-digit lead they maintained throughout in a - win over the reeling New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored points and Lu Dort for the Thunder who set a franchise record for points in a quarter with in the first Isaiah Hartenstein added points for Oklahoma City which won its sixth straight for a th preeminence in games to open the season Rookie guard Jeremiah Fears scored a season-high and Trey Murphy III added points for the Pelicans who ve lost six straight for the second time in their first games and two straight since interim coach James Borrego took over in the wake of Willie Green s firing on Saturday New Orleans played without Zion Williamson hamstring who missed his ninth meeting this season Saddiq Bey left ankle also was scratched for New Orleans Rookie Micah Peavy scored a season-high points for the Pelicans in a reserve role Oklahoma City led by less than three minutes into the event and by before eight minutes had elapsed The Pelicans committed six turnovers in the first six minutes at which point the Thunder leading - had points off turnovers When Brandon Carlson s free throws made it - Oklahoma City had scored on of their previous possessions After the first quarter closed with Oklahoma City leading - the second quarter was somewhat more competitive The Pelicans who shot during the first minutes trimmed their deficit to by halftime at - But the Thunder outscored the Pelicans - during the opening seven minutes of the third period leading - after Holmgren followed up a with a cutting dunk Up next Thunder Hosts the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night Pelicans Host the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night AP NBA https apnews com hub nba Source