In late November, New Orleans trailed the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers by six games in the Western Conference standings, showing no signs of being a postseason qualifier. On Tuesday, the same Pelicans team clinched a play-in berth by guaranteeing that they will finish 2021-22 ahead of the Lakers, part of an epic in-season turnaround.
New Orleans’ victory in Sacramento gave the Pelicans a 32-28 record since a 3-16 start. The Pelicans are a whopping 10 games better than the Lakers since Nov. 24.
The Pelicans led just 60-57 at half, but consecutive three-pointers from Brandon Ingram, Herbert Jones and Jaxson Hayes quickly extended the margin to 69-57 and gave the visitors some breathing room.