(Photo : Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)) SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 04: Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans seems to drive to the basket on Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings within the third quarter of an NBA In-Season Tournament Knockout Round recreation at Golden 1 Center on December 04, 2023 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, User is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Following a big loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday evening, the New Orleans Pelicans are actually poised to face the Sacramento Kings in a high-stakes battle for the remaining playoff spot within the Western Conference.
The Kings caught hearth Tuesday evening steamrolling their rival, the Warriors, to maintain their season alive; not solely defeating Golden State comfortably however boosting Sacramento’s confidence within the course of as properly.
Now, the Kings must cope with a tricky Pelicans staff on the highway.
Now with an opportunity to play the No.1 seeded Oklahoma City Thunder within the first spherical, will the Kings floor the Pelicans, or will Pels forestall Sacramento from lighting the beam?
RELATED ARTICLE: Pelicans: Zion Williamson Injury Gets Confusing Update After Being Spotted Without Limp
NBA Play-In Preview: New Orleans Pelicans vs Sacramento Kings
Date: Friday, April nineteenth
Time: 9:30 PM EST
Network: ESPN
The New Orleans Pelicans have up to now confirmed their superiority over the Sacramento Kings, sweeping them within the season collection with a formidable 5-0 file.
McCollum, Ingram, and Williamson have managed to torch the Kings in every recreation in the course of the common season.
In a high-stakes win-or-go-home state of affairs, the Pelicans would usually be the favored staff. However, the absence of their star energy ahead, Zion Williamson, might make issues a bit tougher this time round.
READ MORE: Warriors: Stephen Curry Reflects on Potential Future Without Klay Thompson and Draymond Green
NBA Play-In Preview: Zion Williamson’s Health in Question
Zion Williamson’s well being standing is what’s going to decide this recreation.
According to ESPN NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Williamson shall be out of the sport on Friday resulting from a left hamstring damage.
ESPN story on Pelicans star Zion Williamson out with hamstring damage for Friday’s Play-In recreation vs. Kings and past https://t.co/V51Mtra76C
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 17, 2024
The Pelicans not having their lead scorer after a star-making 40-point efficiency is a drastic blow to a staff that may have been odds on favor to win this recreation.
RELATED ARTICLE: Clippers: Kawhi Leonard’s Status for NBA Playoffs Gets Huge Update From Coach Ty Lue
NBA Play-In Preview: In X-Factors for the Pelicans and Kings
Being with out Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk, the Kings small ahead Keegan Murray has stepped up; scoring 23 factors on Tuesday in opposition to the Warriors.
Murray confirmed the world what Kings followers have identified for a very long time, that he’s legit.
In the absence of Zion Williamson, the Pelicans are going to need to rely closely on Brandon Ingram to step up, in the event that they do hope to safe the playoff spot.
Ingram, who has not too long ago returned from a left knee contusion that saved him out of motion for a month, had an abysmal efficiency in opposition to LA; capturing simply 4-for-12 from the sphere and ending with 11 factors in opposition to the Lakers.
One might argue that he’s nonetheless recovering from an damage that has saved him out for an prolonged time frame. This could clarify Brandon Ingram’s lackluster efficiency, however on the similar time he might want to shake off the rust so as to assist New Orleans previous the Kings.
During the common season Ingram has demolished the Kings, averaging 24.2 factors, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists of their earlier 5 video games.
READ MORE: Lakers: Darvin Ham Makes Bold Statement Regarding Their Chances vs Nuggets in Playoffs
NBA Play-In Preview: Final Verdict
These are among the finest younger groups within the Western Conference.
The New Orleans Pelicans have quite a bit going for them with home-court benefit and guards who can decelerate Sacramento star guard De’Aaron Fox. However, with out Zion Williamson within the lineup, the Pelicans possibilities of successful have gone down drastically.
READ MORE: Bucks vs. Pacers Playoffs: 4 Ways Milwaukee Is Not Ready Yet for the Postseason
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