Thunder Sweep Pelicans amid Zion Injury as NBA Fans Applaud Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Oklahoma City Thunder are moving on to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2016 after beating the New Orleans Pelicans 97-89 Monday night.

The Thunder controlled the first three games of the series before a tightly contested Game 4. Ultimately, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City past the Pelicans with a late 18-2 run. Gilgeous-Alexander finished the game with 24 points and 10 rebounds, and Jalen Williams added 24.

Not only is it Oklahoma City's first series win since the Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook era, it's just the second series sweep in franchise history, with the other being in 2012 when the Thunder reached the Finals.

After the win, fans praised the Thunder for taking care of business against the No. 8 seed.

Now Oklahoma City will await the winner of the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers. The series is currently tied at two games apiece, and the Thunder will have plenty of time to rest and scout their future opponent after picking up the sweep.

The Thunder are one of the youngest teams in the league, but they looked like a veteran group in Round 1 and were rewarded with a sweep.