Brandon Ingram Leads The Pelicans Past The Kings 127-117 To Advance To The Semis

The Pelicans secured a lead in the second half and never trailed, advancing to the semifinals in Las Vegas, where they will face the winner of the game between the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers.

New Orleans coach Willie Green expressed the significance of the tournament for his team, highlighting the growth opportunity and emphasizing their determination to win. Herb Jones contributed 23 points, and Jonas Valanciunas added 18, securing the Pelicans' third win against the Kings in the past two weeks.

Despite a strong effort from De'Aaron Fox, who scored 30 points, and Domantas Sabonis, who recorded a triple-double with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, the Kings suffered their first loss in the tournament after a perfect record in group play.

The game featured high intensity, with a dustup between Trey Lyles and Jonas Valanciunas in the first half resulting in a technical foul for Lyles. The Pelicans mounted a comeback after the Kings initially took a 32-17 lead, going on a 28-5 run spanning the first two quarters.

Green praised the team's performance in the face of adversity, emphasizing the value of such experiences for the Pelicans as they progress through the season. Brandon Ingram's outstanding contributions, described as "incredible" by Green, played a crucial role in securing the victory.

The Pelicans built a 15-point lead in the third quarter, with Sacramento attempting to rally in the fourth. However, the Pelicans responded with a 9-0 run, featuring key contributions from Valanciunas, Trey Murphy, Ingram, and Jones, ultimately securing the win.

Looking ahead, the Pelicans are set to face the winner of the Suns-Lakers game in the In-Season Tournament semifinals on Thursday night in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, the Kings will visit the loser of the Suns-Lakers game on Friday night.