Zion Injured, Pelicans Lose Heartbreaker To Lakers In NBA Play-In Tournament

New Orleans is down to a do-or-die situation on Friday after a gut-wrenching loss to the Lakers.

Apr 16, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) dribbles / Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans, LA - New Orleans loses a heartbreaker to the Lakers 110-106 in the NBA Play-In Tournament. Los Angeles moves on as the No. 7 seed in the West and will play the Denver Nuggets in the first round. New Orleans will host the winner of the Kings/Warriors game on Friday night. Los Angeles moves on with an almost triple-double performance, 23 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists.

The Pelicans got the message of starting the game with more force. New Orleans flipped the script on outscoring the Lakers in the paint. The Pelicans outscored Los Angeles 18-4 in the restricted area, led by Zion Williamson's 10 points in the opening quarter. D'Angelo Russell was hot shooting to start for the Lakers, pouring in 13 points to lead all scorers. New Orleans displayed a balanced attack on offense, with seven of the eight players playing scoring at least one bucket in the first quarter. The Pelicans led 34-26 after a quarter of play.

Los Angeles quickly got back in the game after a 12-2 run to start the second quarter. The Pelicans offense went cold, scoring ten points in the first ten minutes of play. LeBron James scored 12 points in the quarter to extend the Lakers lead to double-digits. Zion, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum were the only Pelicans players to score, with the Pels shooting 7/23 from the floor. The Laker's offense flowed well, assisting on eight of their ten made baskets in the quarter. Los Angeles lead 60-50 at the break.

The Lakers seemed poised to run away with the game after building an 18-point lead in the quarter. New Orleans seemed frustrated by the lack of calls, with the Lakers nearly doubling the Pelicans free throw attempts through three quarters. The Pelicans responded with a 20-8 run to close the quarter, fueled by Williamson's dominant play. Williamson had 31 points and ten rebounds after three quarters, cutting the Lakers lead to seven going into the final period.

New Orleans battled back valiantly, tying the game at 95 with 3:13 to play in the game. That basket was scored by Zion Williamson, his 41st point of the night, before he injured himself and had to be taken out of the game. A frustrated Zion slammed a towel on the bench and walked towards the locker room. He did not return for the remainder of the game. Without Zion's offense, the Pelicans fizzled down the stretch to score. Los Angeles made six key free throws in the waning minutes to win and move on to the first round of the playoffs. Brandon Ingram again struggled in his second game back from a hyperextended knee injury.

Ingram finished with 11 points on 4/12 shooting, still showing some effects of the injury he suffered. The Lakers nearly doubled the Pels in free throw attempts, even though the Pelicans dominated L.A. in paint, outscoring them 62-36. New Orleans is now 1-7 in their last eight home games. Friday is win or go home for the Pelicans, who must win to save their season.