STAFF WRITER

his shooting even more on the final possession, as Abrines missed a potential game-winning 3-point shot to finish 1-of-5 from 3.

Patterson’s ups and downs

Another player the Thunder needs shooting from is

The veteran power forward entered Wednesday scoreless in nine of his last 10 games, but followed Abrines’ lead, getting on the board in the second quarter via an assist from Abrines. Patterson also contributed some key defensive plays in a game in which battled foul trouble.

Patterson’s 3-point drought continued, though, as he went 0-of-3, extending his 3-point-less drought to six games.

Randle issues

killed the Thunder for 10-of-10 from the field in the two teams’ first meeting of the season. Randle started hot as well on Wednesday, scoring 10 points in the first quarter.

The bruising power forward put Grant and the Thunder in a bind. Grant picked up his fourth foul just 12 seconds into the third quarter, his fifth at 10:11.

The Thunder has been the best third-quarter team in the NBA this season, but it was outscored 32-28 in the third with Grant on the bench.

Tip-ins

scored 24 points off the bench for the Thunder, outscoring the Pelicans’ bench by himself. … was assigned to the G League Oklahoma City Blue, giving an opportunity to be active for Wednesday’s game.