Sacramento Kings vs New Orleans Pelicans Match Player Stats

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans showcased their resilience and depth as they secured a playoff spot with a gritty 105-98 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Despite the absence of their star player Zion Williamson, sidelined due to a hamstring strain, the Pelicans delivered a balanced performance that underscored their team-oriented play.

Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas were pivotal in this crucial game. Ingram scored 24 points, demonstrating his scoring prowess and leadership on the court. Valanciunas contributed significantly with 19 points and 12 rebounds, anchoring the team’s defense and providing crucial second-chance points.

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Sacramento Kings vs New Orleans Pelicans Match Player Stats Overview

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
SAC	24	21	29	24	98
NOP	22	32	29	22	105
Team	PITP	FB PTS	BIG LD	BPTS	TREB	TOV	TTOV	POT
SAC	44	16	7	12	12	15	0	17
NOP	58	14	20	34	6	15	1	18
Lead Changes	5
Times Tied	8

Team Effort: A Recipe for Success

The Pelicans’ victory was not just about individual brilliance but a collective effort from the entire lineup. This season, New Orleans has developed a knack for stepping up in the absence of their key player, going 8-5 without Williamson. This game was no exception, as six players scored in double digits. Reserves Larry Nance Jr., Naji Marshall, and Jose Alvarado added 13, 11, and 10 points respectively, providing essential contributions off the bench.

“We stayed together. We supported each other. We played for each other,” Valanciunas said. “We all want to get to the playoffs. And we did it by playing good basketball, by supporting each other, helping each other on defense, on offense, sharing the ball, you know, making the right play. It’s fun basketball to play that way.”

Overcoming Adversity: Zion Williamson’s Absence

Williamson’s injury was a significant blow, occurring as he was nearing a career-high in a play-in loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Pelicans were undeterred. Trey Murphy III stepped into the starting role, adding 16 points and providing a solid presence on both ends of the court. The team’s ability to adapt and find ways to win without their star player has been a hallmark of their season.

Bench Contributions: The Unsung Heroes

The Pelicans’ bench was a crucial factor in their success against the Kings. Kings coach Mike Brown acknowledged this, saying, “You get 34 points from your bench, it’s a great night for them, a tough night for us.” The depth of the Pelicans’ roster allowed them to maintain a high level of play throughout the game, ensuring that there was no drop-off in performance when the starters rested.

Key Performances from the Kings: A Hard-Fought Battle

Despite the loss, the Sacramento Kings had standout performances from their stars. De’Aaron Fox scored 35 points, showcasing his scoring ability and leadership. Domantas Sabonis also had a strong game with 23 points and 14 rebounds. However, the Kings struggled with consistency, particularly from their young starters Keegan Murray and Keon Ellis, who combined for a 4-for-17 shooting night.

“We were a little passive offensively and not all of us were aggressive with our play tonight,” Brown said, highlighting the areas where the Kings fell short. Their inability to finish plays and convert free throws (missing seven of 22 attempts) was a critical factor in their defeat.

Historic Avoidance: Pelicans’ Clutch Performance

The Pelicans entered the game facing the daunting prospect of becoming the first 49-win team in over 50 years to miss the playoffs. However, they rose to the occasion, improving to 6-0 against the Kings this season. This performance marked the first time since the 1994-95 season that a team has gone 6-0 against an opponent without a playoff series.

“We deserved it. That’s how we felt coming into this game,” Nance said. “We deserve to be in the playoffs. You don’t win 49 games by accident.”

First-Round Matchup: Facing the Top Seed

With their victory, the Pelicans now move on to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs. This matchup will be a significant test for New Orleans, but their recent performances without Williamson have given them a boost of confidence.

Game Dynamics: Breaking Down the Action

The game began with a shaky start for the Pelicans, who committed six turnovers in the first quarter, leading to 11 points for the Kings. Despite this, the Pelicans quickly found their rhythm. CJ McCollum and Murphy’s early contributions helped close the gap, and by the second quarter, New Orleans had built a 13-point lead.

Marshall’s 3-pointer and a steal that led to a breakaway dunk were key moments in the first half, energizing the team and the crowd. Valanciunas and Ingram continued to dominate, helping the Pelicans maintain a lead of 10 or more points for much of the second half. Despite a late push by the Kings, the Pelicans held firm, securing their playoff berth with a strong defensive effort and clutch scoring.

Looking Ahead: The Road to Success

As the Pelicans prepare for their first-round series against Oklahoma City, they will need to continue their team-first approach and rely on their depth. The resilience and determination shown in their victory over the Kings will be crucial as they face tougher competition in the playoffs.

The Pelicans’ journey this season has been one of overcoming adversity and proving doubters wrong. With a balanced attack and contributions from every player, they have the potential to make a deep playoff run. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if they can continue their impressive form and challenge for the championship.

Sacramento Kings Match Player Stats and Box Score

PLAYER	MIN	FGM	FGA	FG%	3:00 PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	PTS	+/-
Harrison BarnesF	38:12:00	6	14	42.9	3	5	60	2	4	50	1	4	5	4	0	0	1	1	17	-7
Keegan MurrayF	37:43:00	4	12	33.3	2	7	28.6	1	2	50	5	2	7	3	1	1	1	2	11	-9
Domantas SabonisC	41:51:00	9	14	64.3	0	1	0	5	5	100	3	11	14	7	3	1	4	4	23	-7
Keon EllisG	27:31:00	0	5	0	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	1	4	0	-20
De’Aaron FoxG	42:26:00	12	29	41.4	4	16	25	7	11	63.6	2	5	7	5	3	0	5	3	35	-3
Trey Lyles	13:02	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	3	0	0	0	2	1	0	-7
Davion Mitchell	24:15:00	4	9	44.4	2	6	33.3	0	0	0	0	2	2	1	0	0	1	2	10	10
Alex Len	4:19	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	5
Sasha Vezenkov	10:41	1	4	25	0	2	0	0	0	0	2	0	2	0	1	0	0	0	2	3
Chris Duarte	DNP – Coach’s Decision
Kessler Edwards	DNP – Coach’s Decision
Colby Jones	DNP – Coach’s Decision
JaVale McGee	DNP – Coach’s Decision
TOTALS	36	88	40.9	11	41	26.8	15	22	68.2	14	26	40	21	9	4	15	17	98	-7

New Orleans Pelicans Match Player Stats and Box Score

PLAYER	MIN	FGM	FGA	FG%	3:00 PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	PTS	+/-
Brandon IngramF	37:09:00	10	20	50	1	2	50	3	3	100	1	5	6	6	0	1	4	4	24	1
Trey Murphy IIIF	43:05:00	6	12	50	2	7	28.6	2	2	100	0	8	8	6	1	0	4	1	16	6
Jonas ValanciunasC	26:46:00	8	16	50	0	1	0	3	3	100	6	6	12	3	0	2	0	4	19	-4
Herbert JonesG	25:59:00	2	3	66.7	1	2	50	0	2	0	0	1	1	4	1	1	3	2	5	-14
CJ McCollumG	35:48:00	3	8	37.5	1	2	50	0	0	0	0	2	2	3	1	2	4	1	7	7
Jose Alvarado	23:55	4	8	50	1	1	100	1	1	100	0	5	5	2	2	1	0	0	10	11
Larry Nance Jr.	21:15	6	7	85.7	0	0	0	1	2	50	2	2	4	3	2	0	0	4	13	11
Dyson Daniels	2:15	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
Naji Marshall	23:50	5	11	45.5	1	4	25	0	0	0	2	4	6	2	2	1	0	2	11	17
Jordan Hawkins	DNP – Coach’s Decision
E.J. Liddell	DNP – Coach’s Decision
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl	DNP – Coach’s Decision
Matt Ryan	DNP – Coach’s Decision
Cody Zeller	DNP – Coach’s Decision
TOTALS		44	85	51.8	7	19	36.8	10	13	76.9	11	34	45	29	9	8	15	19	105

Conclusion

The New Orleans Pelicans’ victory over the Sacramento Kings, marked by standout performances from Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas and a strong team effort despite the absence of Zion Williamson, underscores their resilience and depth as they advance to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs.