zach bacharContributor IDecember 5, 2023
Rocky Widner/NBAE through Getty Images
The New Orleans Pelicans have secured their journey to Las Vegas after scoring a 127-117 victory over the Sacramento Kings in the In-Season Tournament quarterfinal match between the two teams.
Zion Williamson didn’t deliver the dominant performance that many have come to expect from the superstar, although the rest of the Pelicans’ rotation stepped up in the win.
Brandon Ingram acquired 30 points to lead New Orleans, including 8 rebounds and 6 assists while shooting 50 percent from the field. Herb Jones scored a season-high 23 points, including a buzzer-beating pointer to end the first quarter. The defensive expert turned in a strong all-around performance against Sacramento, including 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
NBA fans were impressed with head coach Willie Green’s team.
New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
What a play by Herb Jones < a href="https://t.co/wYkYWhWeYD">> pic.twitter.com/wYkYWhWeYD
This version of Brandon Ingram is special. Excellent rebounding, fast-paced play, advances the ball to Herb Jones who ends up at the feet line.<< br><> < br>> Best player on the court tonight without a doubt
Ingram is good enough to move this Pelicans team deep in the West. He has all the pieces around him. Just needs to stay healthy and hungry.
Brandon Ingram has been phenomenal tonight.<< br><> < br>> Not just the scoring, but he’s getting contested rebounds, making the smart play passing and defending all over on the floor.<< br><> < br>> Just an incredible all-around performance.
Brenden Nunes @BrendenNunesNBA
Sacramento has done a great job limiting Zion Williamson, but Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum have hit timely shots all night long.
Has anyone prepared better than the Pelicans in the last 4 years? << a href="https://t.co/NsXlrLUwTg">> pic.twitter.com/NsXlrLUwTg
I feel like the Pelicans lineup is just loaded with some of the most underrated players in the league. Zion, BI, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy all better than the consensus gives credit for<< br><> < br>> If they can add another playmaker/initiator they are contenders
The << a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pelicans?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">> #Pelicans< are THE deepest team in the league when healthy. Dominating the Kings and Jordan Hawkins hasn't even touched the court.
New Orleans shot 45 percent from 3 as a team, dishing out 29 assists while committing only 12 turnovers. After trailing by as many as 15 points in the first quarter, the Pelicans stormed back to take a 69-61 lead at the break before keeping the Kings at bay throughout the second half.
Williamson finished with just 10 points. He only attempted 8 shots and committed 4 turnovers in his 28 minutes on the floor.
Pro Pels Talk @ProPelsTalk
Zion can’t be the 5 if he isn’t going to rebound.
Absolutely not Phantom @Phantomstran6
Is zion hurt?
