The New Orleans Pelicans are onto the Western Conference playoffs, and it took some topsy-turvy nonsense to get there.
After defeating the San Antonio Spurs to advance to the second play-in game, the Pelicans survived a Clippers onslaught with their own rally to win 105-101. New Orleans is now set to face the top-seeded Phoenix Suns in the first round.
The Pelicans opened the game on a strong note, taking a 16-point lead in the second quarter against a Clippers team that learned it would be without Paul George in the morning after the All-Star entered the NBA's COVID-19 health and safety protocols.