In the SoFi Play-In Tournament, the Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the New Orleans Pelicans in a thrilling matchup. Zion Williamson made his first playoff appearance and had an outstanding performance, scoring 40 points and leading a comeback from a 18-point deficit to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. However, despite his best efforts, the Lakers emerged victorious with a 110-106 win.
The Lakers’ success was due in large part to LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell, who made crucial plays in the closing minutes of the game. The Lakers will now face the defending champion Denver Nuggets as the No. 7 seed in the first round of the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Pelicans will have to play again in a do-or-die matchup against the winner of the Warriors and Kings game for a chance to enter the playoffs as the No. 8 seed.
After the game, concerns were raised about Zion Williamson’s health as he experienced “left leg soreness.” Coach Willie Green provided an update, stating that an upcoming MRI would be conducted to determine the extent of his injury. Despite this setback, Williamson has shown great potential and will undoubtedly be a valuable asset to his team moving forward.
The Lakers improved their play-in record to 3-0 with this win and have a history of success in these elimination games. Coach Green received praise for benching his star players when needed, showing a willingness to make tough decisions for
