The Pelicans approach their final chance to secure a playoff spot as their game against the Sacramento Kings in the Play-In Tournament in the Smoothie King Center on Friday, April 19 approaches. Winner will secure the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference and a first round matchup against the first-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. Get tickets for the matchup.
The Pelicans are slated to be without forward Zion Williamson after he suffered a left hamstring stain in the closing minutes of the Pelicans game against the Lakers. The team said he will be reevaluated in two weeks. See more info about Williamson's injury.
The Pelicans will submit their full injury report to the league for Friday's game at 5 p.m. CT later in the day. Stay tuned to Pelicans.com for the latest updates.
The Pelicans had success in the regular season against the Kings, winning the season series between the two teams five games to none, becoming the first team to go 5-0 against an opponent in the regular season since the 1995-96 season.
A part of the success the Pelicans have had against Sacramento this season has involved limiting Kings guard and New Orleans native De'Aaron Fox when the two teams have played. Fox has averaged 21.2 points per game in the five matchups, below his season average of 26.6, and has shot 40.9% from the field and 24.3% from beyond the arc as well as forcing the Kings guard into 4.0 turnovers per game in the five clashes. For more of a preview of the contest, check out the latest episode of the Pelicans podcast.