In a highly anticipated matchup, the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder will take on the 8th-seeded New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs. The Thunder, who finished the regular season with an impressive record of 57-25, have become the youngest team ever to earn a #1 seed in the NBA Playoffs. On the other hand, the Pelicans have battled through adversity, securing their spot in the playoffs with a record of 49-33.

Despite the absence of their dynamic forward Zion Williamson, who is out with a leg injury, the Pelicans managed to rally and defeat the Sacramento Kings 105-98 in a do-or-die matchup in the Play-In Tournament. Led by Brandon Ingram's 24 points and Jonas Valanciunas' 19 points and 12 rebounds, the Pelicans showcased their resilience and determination.

While the Pelicans are 1-2 against the Thunder this season, they did manage to secure a victory in Oklahoma City. With a strong offense ranking 13th in points per game, 9th in field goal shooting, and fourth in 3-point shooting percentage, the Pelicans have proven their scoring capabilities. Defensively, they have been solid as well, ranking eighth in scoring defense, seventh in field goal defense, and second in 3-point defense.

The Thunder, despite having the youngest roster in the NBA, stunned critics by earning the top seed in the Western Conference. Led by talented players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort, the Thunder finished the regular season with an impressive record of 57 wins. With their high-octane offense ranking third in points per game, third in field goal shooting, and first in 3-point shooting, the Thunder have consistently found ways to put up big numbers.

Defensively, the Thunder have been solid as well, ranking third in field goal defense and 12th in 3-point defense. However, they have shown vulnerability in 3-point field goals allowed per game, ranking 23rd in the league. Additionally, their rebounding capabilities have not been a strong suit, as they rank 27th in total rebounds.

With Williamson's absence, the Pelicans will rely heavily on players like Ingram and Valanciunas to step up and fill the void. However, matching up against Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder's potent offense will be a challenge. The Thunder's fast-paced style of play and ability to score in transition could prove difficult for the Pelicans to contain without Williamson's dynamic abilities.

As the series begins, the Thunder aim to capitalize on the absence of Williamson and secure a victory in game one. While the Pelicans have shown resilience throughout the season, the Thunder's youth and scoring prowess give them an advantage in this matchup. The Pelicans will need their guards to step up defensively, while the Thunder will rely on their offensive firepower to dominate the game.

The first game of this best-of-seven series is scheduled for Sunday at 9:30 PM EST in Oklahoma City. With the Thunder considered the most vulnerable of the top four seeds, this matchup will be crucial in setting the tone for the series. The Pelicans will look to prove their resilience once again, while the Thunder aim to showcase their strength as the youngest #1 seed in NBA history.