Brandon Ingram led the charge with 24 points, while Jonas Valanciunas dominated with 19 points and 12 rebounds, propelling the New Orleans Pelicans to a crucial 105-98 victory over the Sacramento Kings in a do-or-die play-in tournament showdown.
Pelicans advance to NBA playoffs despite missing Zion Williams https://t.co/xJxjN1fLIv pic.twitter.com/yaTtZHuBwD
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) April 20, 2024
Trey Murphy III stepped up in Williamson’s absence, contributing 16 points to the win. On the Kings’ side, De’Aaron Fox led the charge with 35 points, while Domantas Sabonis recorded a double-double with 23 points and 14 rebounds.
The victory was crucial for the Pelicans, who had previously missed two opportunities to secure a playoff berth. Despite a shaky start with early turnovers, they rallied to build a double-digit lead in the second quarter.
The win not only secured their playoff spot but also extended their dominance over the Kings this season, with a perfect 6-0 record against them. Additionally, the Pelicans ensured that the streak of No. 7 seeds making the playoffs since the introduction of the play-in tournament in 2020 remained intact.
However, the Pelicans will enter the playoffs as the eighth seed, facing the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. Despite early challenges and injuries, the Pelicans displayed resilience and determination, setting the stage for an exciting postseason ahead.
