An Intense Playoff Showdown
In the NBA play-in tournament, the New Orleans Pelicans faced off against the Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference. Despite the absence of Zion Williamson, the Pelicans showcased superior team performance led by Brandon Ingram, with a total of 6 players scoring in double digits. In the end, the Pelicans emerged victorious with a score of 105-98, advancing to the playoffs where they will meet the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.
Dominance in Regular Season Meetings
The Pelicans had previously secured five victories over the Kings in the regular season encounters. Despite missing their star player Zion Williamson due to a left thigh injury, the Pelicans managed to secure another win, advancing to the playoffs.
A Tight First Half
The first quarter saw a closely contested battle, with the Kings holding a slight 24-22 lead led by De’Aaron Fox’s 11 points. However, in the second quarter, the Kings struggled to find their shooting rhythm from beyond the arc, while the Pelicans capitalized on multiple scoring options. With six players contributing to the scoring and shooting at an impressive 54.2% from the field, the Pelicans surged ahead to a 54-45 lead by halftime.
Back-and-Forth in the Third Quarter
Both teams continued to trade blows in the third quarter, with neither side able to gain a significant advantage. The nine-point lead maintained by the Pelicans remained unchanged heading into the final quarter.
Pelicans Pull Away in the Fourth Quarter
In the decisive fourth quarter, the Kings’ offense faltered, managing only 3 points in the first six minutes. Meanwhile, the Pelicans continued to attack relentlessly, extending their lead to as much as 20 points. Despite a late rally from the Kings, they were unable to mount a comeback, ultimately falling short with a final score of 98-105, allowing the Pelicans to secure a playoff berth.
Balanced Scoring Effort
The Pelicans had a balanced scoring effort, with Brandon Ingram leading the team with 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Jonas Valanciunas contributed 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Trey Murphy III added 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. Larry Nance Jr., Naji Marshall, and Jose Alvarado made significant contributions off the bench, scoring 13, 11, and 10 points respectively.
Individual Performances for the Kings
For the Kings, De’Aaron Fox led the team with an impressive performance, scoring 35 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists. Domantas Sabonis contributed 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Harrison Barnes added 17 points. Keegan Murray chipped in with 11 points, but it was not enough to secure a win for the Kings. (JILICC)