Pelicans Secure Last Playoff Spot in the West
In a thrilling matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings on Friday night, the Pelicans emerged victorious on their home floor 105-98 in the final game of the 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament. The game was a showcase of competitive basketball, with both teams displaying their skills and determination on the court. New Orleans got off to a hot start, ending up shooting an impressive nearly 52% in the game compared to Sacramento’s close to 41% on the night. Brandon Ingram led the charge for the Pelicans with 24 points, always proving his scoring ability and efficiency. Jonas Valanciunas dominated the boards, pulling down 12 rebounds to go along with 19 points. This very well-balanced scoring and solid team play proved to be a huge difference-maker for New Orleans in this one.
The Pelicans' win here should not discredit the fact that Sacramento fought hard, led by a stellar performance from De’Aaron Fox who scored a game-high 35 points. Fox was aggressive attacking the basket, contributing in many different ways finishing with seven rebounds and five assists. Domantas Sabonis added a double-double with 23 points and 14 rebounds, while Harrison Barnes added 17 points. While the Kings no doubt had strong individual performances in this game, New Orleans’s collective effort and efficient shooting allowed them to maintain the lead for most of the game. Sacramento struggled from beyond the arc, shooting close to 27%, which ultimately impacted their ability to close the gap in the scoreline.
Both teams battled hard on the defensive end, with each recording nine steals: four blocks for the Kings, and eight blocks for the Pelicans. However, New Orleans's superior shooting and rebounding gave them the edge, allowing them to secure the win and lock down the eight-seed spot in the Western Conference Playoffs. With this win the Pelicans will head to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night in the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs. While New Orleans is hopeful their star Zion Williamson will be back soon since he’s out with a left hamstring sprain it is unrealistic to believe he will play at all in this series. Without Williamson on the court who will step up for the Pelicans? Can New Orleans give Oklahoma City a tougher series than they are expecting?
