In the final games of the NBA Play-In Tournament, both the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings fought for a spot in the playoffs. On April 20, 2024, Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans to victory against the Kings with a team-high 24 points.
The Pelicans had struggled at home but managed to switch their shootaround location and secure a win of 105-98. This marked New Orleans' sixth win against Sacramento in a single season, setting a record for most wins against an opponent without a playoff series.
Ingram's performance was crucial as the Pelicans were missing their star player, Zion Williamson, due to injury. Six players scored in double digits for New Orleans, including reserves Larry Nance Jr., Naji Marshall, and Jose Alvarado.
The Kings had advanced to the play-in tournament game after defeating the Golden State Warriors with Keegan Murray scoring a team-high 32 points. De'Aaron Fox contributed 24 points to their win.
With this victory, the New Orleans Pelicans secured a spot in the NBA playoffs as the eighth seed in the Western Conference. They will face top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night.
The Sacramento Kings, despite their efforts, were unable to make it to the playoffs this season.