Lakers Claw Back Against Pelicans and Earn Playoff

Analysis

Basketball

April 17th, 2024

The Los Angeles Lakers, led by a well-rounded performance from LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and their supporting cast, secured a dramatic 110-106 play-in victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. This win propels them into a first-round playoff rematch with the Denver Nuggets, the team that swept them in last year's Western Conference Finals.

James Orchestrates Lakers' Triumph over Pelicans

The Lakers' veteran leader, LeBron James, put on a masterful display with a stat line of 23 points, 9 assists, and 9 rebounds. James' leadership and clutch free throws down the stretch proved instrumental in securing the win.

Lebron James is constantly driven to rescue his team.
NBA🏀🏀
Lakers. pic.twitter.com/DqpsLefTKi
— FORSON (@Forson_Jecil) April 17, 2024

Anthony Davis complemented James' efforts with a dominant performance inside the paint. Davis finished with a double-double of 20 points and 15 rebounds, providing a crucial offensive threat and shoring up the Lakers' defense.

DeAngelo Russell Catches Fire from Deep

DeAngelo Russell emerged as another key contributor for the Lakers, knocking down five 3-pointers and finishing with 21 points. His outside shooting helped the Lakers maintain offensive momentum throughout the game.

I consider this a pretty good Growth Moment for Austin.

I 5000% thought he was going to take this up all the way, try to get the foul, & put up a tough shot.

Instead he passed it precisely to a very wide open DLO. Cash.

Sometimes Bball is easy.
pic.twitter.com/Th4KVLyhE7
— Lakers Legacy (@LakersLegacyPod) April 17, 2024

Zion Williamson's Injury Looms Large

The New Orleans Pelicans were dealt a significant blow when star forward Zion Williamson left the game with a left leg injury in the final minutes. Williamson had been a force to be reckoned with, putting up a staggering 40 points and 11 rebounds before his departure. His absence significantly impacted the Pelicans' chances of pulling off the upset.

Made this video earlier but the key to Zion Williamson’s hamstring injury will be the severity which will dictate return

Tightness: Day to Day
Grade I: 1-2 weeks
Grade II: 3-6 weeks

Zion also has a history of hamstring strains pic.twitter.com/zljJn5Dx1O
— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) April 17, 2024

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Pelicans Fight Back Despite Setbacks

Despite the loss of Williamson and a slow start in the second quarter, the Pelicans displayed impressive resilience. They managed to erase an 18-point deficit and tie the game with 3:53 remaining, thanks in part to clutch shots from Trey Murphy III and Williamson himself.

Brandon Ingram, returning from a 12-game absence due to a knee injury, struggled offensively, shooting only 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting. While understandable given his time off, his return to top form will be crucial for the Pelicans' playoff hopes.

Lakers Seek Redemption, Pelicans Face Winner-Take-All

The Lakers head into the first round with a renewed sense of confidence after their play-in win. However, they face a tall order against the reigning champion Denver Nuggets.

The Pelicans, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly as they host the Sacramento Kings in a win-or-go-home battle for the eighth seed in the Western Conference.

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