The New Orleans Pelicans are the first Western Conference team to advance through to the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament Semifinals after beating the Kings 127-117 at Golden 1 Center.
Brandon Ingram led the way for the Pelicans with 30 points on 10-of-20 from the field to go along with eight rebounds and six assists.
Herb Jones had a season-high 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting whilst Trey Murphy III put in 16 points off the bench and finished a game-high +24 in his second appearance of the new season.
Jonas Valančiūnas (17 points, 11 rebounds) added a double-double whilst C.J. McCollum (17 points, seven assists) and Jose Alvarado (nine points, four stocks) were key contributors.
Zion Williamson had a quiet night for the Pelicans but finished with a neat 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting, six rebounds, six assists and three steals.
A red-hot start saw the Kings leap out to a 15-point lead in the opening frame which had all but evaporated by the close of the first thanks to a New Orleans fightback.
Having weathered the initial three-point storm, the Pelicans flourished courtesy of their swarming defence and dominance in the paint.
They claimed a double-digit lead of their own which grew as high as 15 in the third before the Kings cut it back to four with a little under 90 seconds to play in the quarter.
The Kings threatened throughout the fourth but their offensive waves were continually withstood by the Pelicans who captured a vital win.
New Orleans were far more efficient from the field (54.0 FG%, 45.2 3P% vs. 44.7 FG%, 34.1 3P%) and finished with 19 stocks to Sacramento’s 10.
The Kings were led by Domantas Sabonis’ (26 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists) triple-double whilst De’Aaron Fox (30 points, 10-of-25 shooting) had a tough night shooting.
The Pelicans will advance the play the winner of tomorrow’s Lakers-Suns game in Las Vegas on Friday.
