The Los Angeles Lakers, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, along with their supporting cast, have undergone a transformation, emerging as a formidable playoff contender compared to their recent form.
On the other hand, the New Orleans Pelicans are teetering on the edge of elimination and grappling with concerns about the well-being of star power forward Zion Williamson, who had an impressive NBA postseason debut cut short by an injury during the final minutes of a tightly contested match.
James contributed 23 points, nine assists, and nine rebounds as the Lakers clinched a playoff spot with a hard-fought 110-106 victory over the Pelicans in the Western Conference play-in tournament on Tuesday night.
Despite Williamson’s impressive performance of 40 points and 11 rebounds, his departure from the game after tying the score at 95 with a driving layup raised concerns, with Pelicans coach Willie Green citing “left leg soreness” as the reason for his exit.
Following Williamson’s exit, key plays from James, Davis, and DeAngelo Russell, including crucial baskets and rebounds, enabled the Lakers to maintain their lead and secure the win.
Lakers coach Darvin Ham praised his team’s resilience in the face of the Pelicans’ relentless efforts, highlighting their ability to withstand pressure and fight back.
Davis contributed 20 points and 15 rebounds, while Russell added 21 points, sinking five shots from beyond the arc. James and Davis were flawless from the free-throw line, with James going 10 of 10 and Davis 8 of 10.
The Lakers will now face the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, in a first-round playoff matchup, setting the stage for a rematch of last season’s Western Conference finals, which ended in a sweep by the Nuggets.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans will host the Sacramento Kings in a bid to secure the No. 8 seed in the West, with the winner advancing to the playoffs. The Kings earned their spot by eliminating the Golden State Warriors in a later play-in game on Wednesday night.
Reflecting on the loss, Green acknowledged the disappointment but emphasized the need to regroup and prepare for the upcoming challenge.
Despite Williamson’s stellar performance, the Pelicans struggled from beyond the arc, and key players like Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum failed to make significant contributions.
Trey Murphy III provided a spark off the bench with 12 points, including two crucial 3-pointers, aiding the Pelicans’ comeback efforts.
Despite trailing by as many as 18 points in the second half, the Pelicans rallied, tying the game in the fourth quarter before ultimately falling short against the Lakers.
In a game of momentum swings, the Lakers seized control in the second quarter after a promising start by the Pelicans, ultimately securing their place in the playoffs with a hard-fought victory.
