Pelicans Won’t Bow Down in Win Over Lakers
“I don’t know the question you just asked. I’m just glad to beat the Lakers.”
Brandon Ingram summed up the feelings of so many in the Smoothie King Center with that post-game quote after beating the Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The New Orleans Pelicans were down 23 with over 2 minutes remaining in the first half but powered back with a 74-43 run from that point on to close out a huge win with major playoff implications.
Ingram played a big part in the comeback even though he played only 26 minutes in his return to the lineup. Ingram had 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists while making 10/17 shots. Knocking off rust was only a problem from the three-point line. Ingram missed both of his attempts.
Mar 27, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) runs into and is fouled by Los Angeles Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker (5) in the second half at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans won, 116-108. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Lebron James could not miss in the first half. The Lakers run out to a 12-0 lead to start the game. Lebron scored 39 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists in 41 grueling minutes in a playoff atmosphere. It was not enough to hold off a Pelicans team that refuses to quit on their season.
Trey Murphy III has persevered through slow starts and stints in the G-League. He went off for 21 points in 25 minutes in the biggest game of his professional career. He only played three minutes in his first game against Lebron but spurred a third quarter run to pull New Orleans back in the game.
"Before coach put me back in the game he said, 'Look we have nothing to lose so just go out there and hoop.' It relaxed me a lot. He had confidence in me, and I made sure I produced. My teammates got me the ball when I was open and I'm glad we got the result."
Willie Green credited, “the guys in the locker room, the performance team, our medical team, our support staff, everybody. We just hung in there together.” He said of this game, “I’m not sure if we win it in October or not but the goal is not to win in October it is to win in April, in May, in June. That’s our vision and we still have a ways to go.”
This was billed as the most important game of the season. New Orleans fell behind but used a full team effort to complete the largest comeback of the season. Five players scored 16 or more points. New Orleans won the turnover battle, causing (15) almost twice as many as they coughed up (7). Herb Jones alone had 6 steals. The Pelicans grabbed 5 more offensive rebounds and went 19/24 from the charity stripe.
It took a lot of work to get back into the game. Thankfully the crowd got a few minutes to take in the good vibes after a slow start followed the last-second loss to the San Antonio Spurs yesterday. Jonas Valancuinas hit a baby hook shot to seal the win with 59 seconds remaining and the even the bench began celebrating.
Mar 27, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas (17) defends a shot by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) in the second half at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans won, 116-108. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans has now won the season series before traveling to Los Angeles this upcoming Friday. The Pelicans are also a half-game ahead of the Lakers for the right to host the 9th versus 10th play-in game.
The Pelicans will see the Lakers (10th) again and could possibly face the Spurs (11th) in the play-in game. Coach Willie Green said these past two games are, “good for our group to get this experience. We could see one of those teams (Spurs, Lakers) again.”
There are not many teams wanting to play a mostly health New Orleans Pelicans squad right now. They are peaking at the right time and have their eyes on a full-fledged NBA Playoffs spot, not just a play-in cameo against one of the Hollywood teams.
