The New Orleans Pelicans could have avoided the Play-In tournament had they won the regular season finale against the Los Angeles Lakers yesterday.
Instead, they face each other again, this time with the stakes higher and the pressure at its absolute greatest.
For the third time in the last four seasons, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the no. 8 LA Lakers will be in the Play-In Tournament. This time facing no. 7 Pelicans, led by Zion Williamson, in New Orleans in the first game of tomorrow's double-header showdown.
Playoff spot at stake on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/6SXgufqjbU
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 14, 2024
The winner of this 7-8 game will advance to the playoffs for an opening round matchup against defending NBA champion and second seed Denver Nuggets.
The loser, meanwhile, faces and hosts the winner of the Kings-Warriors match-up.
Both teams played on April 15 in their regular season finale match, with the Lakers overwhelming the Pelicans in a 124-108 road win to clinch the no. 8 seed. A win could potentially save the Pelicans from the Play-in and jump to no.6 but lost.
One game down. Play-In rematch on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/XZ5aNqnvtB
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 14, 2024
James exploded with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 17 assists and five steals, becoming the first NBA player in history with 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, 15+ assists and 5+ steals in a single game.
Davis led the way with 30 points before leaving with back spasms just past the midway point of the final quarter.
In hopes of returning to the Western Conference Finals, the Purple-and-Gold team needs to navigate the Play-In Tournament once more.
The Lakers claimed the no.7 seed last year after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves and went on to beat Memphis and Golden State in the succeeding rounds, before falling to the eventual champ Nuggets via sweep.
New Orleans, on the other hand, lost against the then no. 10 Oklahoma City Thunder last year in the Play-In tournament that ended their season prematurely.
This season, both squads face off with the winner facing a daunting task of taking on the reigning champs. The loser will have one more chance to sneak into the playoffs.
James showed no signs of slowing down in his 21st season, averaging almost 25 points, seven rebounds and eight dimes.
LeBron James in Year 21:
— NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2024
👑 20th straight year scoring 25+ PPG
👑 Career high in 3-point percentage
👑 1st player in NBA history to average 25+ PPG, 8+ APG, 50+ FG% and 40+ 3P% in a season pic.twitter.com/jjKmrS0dNu
Williamson, meanwhile, developed into a primary playmaker throughout the season and averaged 23 points, six boards and five dimes in 70 games this season.
However, two players sharing overlapping team histories make this showdown more interesting.
In 2019, the Lakers sent Brandon Ingram to the Pelicans as part of a blockbuster trade that landed them Davis.
The Brow started his first seven seasons as a Pelican and blossomed into one of the best two-way bigs in the game. Davis was a three-time All-NBA First Team member, twice a member of the NBA All-Defensive Second Team and the 2017 All-Star Game MVP.
Davis went on to win his first and only NBA title so far with the Lakers in 2020.
That time, Ingram was in his sophomore season on the Lakers and a season removed from an NBA All-Rookie First team selection.
Upon his arrival in New Orleans, Ingram emerged as one of the league’s deadliest scorers, earning his lone All-Star selection and winning the Most Improved Player in 2020.
Both teams played in the regular season four times, with the Lakers winning three times, including the last two.
The Pelicans finished the regular season with a 21-19 home record while the Lakers are 19-21 on the road.
The eighth seed Los Angeles Lakers will take on the seventh seed New Orleans Pelicans this Wednesday, April 17, 7:30 a.m. on NBA TV Philippines.
