The New Orleans Pelicans clinched the last playoff berth in the Western Conference with a decisive 105-98 victory over the Sacramento Kings at the Smoothie King Center. Despite the absence of star player Zion Williamson due to a hamstring injury, the Pelicans showcased a strong team performance to seal their postseason spot.
Brandon Ingram led the way for New Orleans, scoring 24 points along with six rebounds and six assists. Jonas Valanciunas also made a significant impact with a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Trey Murphy III contributed 16 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Key performances off the bench included Larry Nance Jr. with 13 points, Naji Marshall with 11 points, and Jose Alvarado adding 10 points.
The Pelicans demonstrated their dominance over the Kings throughout the season, with a perfect 6-0 record, including the play-in game victory. They now advance to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs starting Sunday.
For the Kings, De’Aaron Fox put up a valiant effort with 35 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Domantas Sabonis supported well with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists. However, their efforts fell short as the team struggled with shooting efficiency, especially from the 3-point line where they made only 11 of 41 attempts.
The game saw the Pelicans pulling away in the fourth quarter with a critical 10-0 run that expanded their lead to 20 points. Although the Kings managed to close the gap to seven points in the dying minutes, a key block and subsequent dunk by Herbert Jones sealed the victory for New Orleans.
This win not only propels the Pelicans into the playoffs but also marks another disappointing season for the Kings, who have missed the playoffs for 17 of the past 18 seasons. The Pelicans will look to carry their momentum into the challenging matchup against the Thunder, hoping to make a deep run in the postseason.