NBA Play-In Update: Lakers hold off Pelicans’ comeback, move forward to take on Nuggets; Zion Williamson exits game late due to injury.

The Pelicans are set to face off against the Sacramento Kings next, following the Kings’ victory over the Warriors in their play-in game on Tuesday night.

On Tuesday, Zion Williamson, the star of the New Orleans Pelicans, put forth his best effort against the Los Angeles Lakers.

However, it fell short as the Lakers managed to withstand a late surge from the Pelicans and a standout performance from Williamson to secure a 110-106 victory in New Orleans during the NBA play-in tournament. This win solidified the Lakers’ position as the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, earning them a first-round clash with the reigning champions, the Denver Nuggets.

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Zion Williamson shines with a 40-point performance but exits the game due to injury.

The Lakers initially built a substantial 18-point lead, only to see it slip away, yet they managed to withstand a late surge by the Pelicans to secure the victory. Despite Williamson’s impressive season-high 40-point performance, he was forced to exit the game’s final moments due to what seemed to be a non-contact injury.

Head coach Willie Green informed reporters that Williamson was grappling with soreness in his left leg, with The Athletic reporting it as a hamstring injury.

With this loss, the Pelicans advance to Friday’s elimination game, where they will face the Sacramento Kings, who decisively defeated the Golden State Warriors in their play-in matchup on Tuesday night. While the Pelicans’ immediate focus is on Williamson’s health, the winner of Friday’s game will clinch the No. 8 seed and a first-round showdown with the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, while the loser will see their season come to an end.

The Lakers establish a significant lead and manage to fend off a late surge from the Pelicans.

The Pelicans gained an early advantage in an intense first quarter marked by runs from both teams and double technical fouls issued to Jose Alvarado and D’Angelo Russell. New Orleans ended the quarter with a 34-26 lead. However, in the second quarter, the Lakers took charge.

Although the Pelicans scored first in the quarter, the Lakers surged ahead with a 12-0 run, securing a 38-36 lead. By halftime, the Lakers had extended their lead to 60-50 and seemed poised for a comfortable victory. They maintained a commanding lead, reaching as high as 73-55 midway through the third quarter.

Nevertheless, the Pelicans fought back in the fourth quarter with a 9-0 run, narrowing the Lakers’ lead to 91-89. A dunk by Williamson then tied the game at 93-93 with 3:53 remaining. However, he exited the game following a layup at 3:19, with the score tied at 95-95, and did not return.

With Williamson sidelined, the Pelicans fought relentlessly until the game’s closing moments. D’Angelo Russell’s 3-pointer with 51.1 seconds left widened the Lakers’ lead to 104-100. However, C.J. McCollum countered with a floater with 38.2 seconds remaining, reducing the Los Angeles lead to two.

In the ensuing play, the Pelicans forced LeBron James into a fadeaway shot from the baseline that failed to find the rim. However, Anthony Davis grabbed the offensive rebound and drew a foul. He converted both free throws with 14.8 seconds left, stretching the Lakers’ lead to 106-102. Los Angeles maintained their composure and sank their remaining free throws down the stretch, securing the victory.

Williamson’s impressive performance was marred or overshadowed by other factors.

Williamson was experiencing what could have been a game with significant implications for his career, aiming to progress to his inaugural playoff appearance five seasons after being chosen as the top pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He managed to score 10 points in every quarter, which included two crucial baskets in the fourth quarter that played a part in igniting the Pelicans’ comeback.

He successfully defended against James on several occasions and concluded the game with an impressive stat line of 40 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block, shooting 17 of 27 from the field. Despite this, the Pelicans still have the opportunity to secure a playoff spot with a victory on Friday. However, there is uncertainty surrounding Williamson’s availability given his history of being hampered by injuries.

The Lakers secure their spot in the playoffs thanks to their effective free throw shooting and prowess from beyond the arc.

The Lakers secured victory in Tuesday’s game through their strong performance beyond the arc and at the free throw line. They shot 14 of 35 (40%) from 3-point range, while holding the Pelicans to a 9-of-30 (30%) shooting effort from long distance.

Additionally, the Lakers made frequent trips to the free throw line, going 26 for 29 (89.7%) on their free throw attempts. In the final minute of the game, Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves combined to make all six of their free throws as the Pelicans attempted to prolong the game. The Pelicans, on the other hand, shot 11 of 15 from the free throw line for the game.

Despite a tough shooting night (6 of 20), LeBron James led the Lakers with 23 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, making all 10 of his free throw attempts. Anthony Davis contributed 20 points and 15 rebounds while going 8 of 10 from the free throw line. D’Angelo Russell added 21 points and six assists, leading the team in 3-point shooting with a 5-of-11 performance. He was one of four Lakers to make two or more 3-pointers.

The victory sets up a challenging matchup for the Lakers against the Nuggets. Los Angeles was swept by the Nuggets in last year’s Western Conference finals and lost all three regular-season meetings this season. The Lakers’ last victory against the Nuggets came on Dec. 16, 2022.