LAS VEGAS – When the NBA airs TV commercials to promote the 2024 version of the In-Season Tournament, it might consider using a video clip from Brandon Ingram’s interview after Wednesday’s practice. The New Orleans forward paid the brand-new event one of its biggest compliments, comparing it to an annual, cherished basketball tradition in the spring.
“It feels like March Madness a little bit,” Ingram said, likening it to the NCAA Tournament, “or an AAU team traveling, being in the same spot in Vegas (for multiple days to play a tournament).”
Zion Williamson & Brandon Ingram talk In-Season Tournament semifinal vs. Lakers 12/6/2023
New Orleans arrived in the desert Tuesday and held practice Wednesday in T-Mobile Arena, the site of Thursday’s semifinal game against the Los Angeles Lakers (8 p.m. Central, TNT, 99.5 FM). The Pelicans got the chance to work out on the court that will also host a Thursday afternoon game between East semifinalists Indiana and Milwaukee. Those are the league’s only games tomorrow; Saturday’s championship in Las Vegas is the lone contest of the weekend.
“It’s been a really cool experience for all of our guys to compete on a big stage where there’s only In-Season Tournament games (happening in a specific TV window) against quality opponents,” guard CJ McCollum said, referring to a Monday quarterfinal win over the Kings on TNT. “It was fun to play on the road in Sacramento against a really good team who has playoff experience. These are really good experiences for us as a young team to figure out how to execute, withstand runs, how to properly game-plan for an elimination game. All of those things will pay dividends for us.”
The Pelicans only had a total of six games scheduled for ESPN, TNT or ABC when the club’s slate was released in August, but the knockout stage has provided them with the chance to add two more (three if Thursday is a victory over the Lakers).
“It’s another time for us to go out and show who we are,” Ingram said. “We’re not on (national) TV a lot, so we get to go out and have a little bit of fun. The (bright) lights are on. I know a lot of my teammates like to play with the lights on.”
“It’s a good way to showcase some of (the league's) talent that’s not on TV, unless you have League Pass,” McCollum said, alluding to the added In-Season Tournament exposure for teams like Indiana and New Orleans.
CJ McCollum talks about the impact of the NBA In-Season Tournament 12/6/2023
Other notes from Wednesday’s practice in Nevada:
Ingram and third-year head coach Willie Green both referenced that there have been some differences between the Pelicans’ five In-Season Tournament games played so far and the balance of their early schedule.
“The physicality has picked up, the style of play is a little bit different,” Ingram said of IST games. “The best players show a little bit more. You see how important it is for everyone on the floor.”
Green: “The NBA has done a great job of providing a platform that allows competitive, meaningful games in the regular season… the games have been much more competitive. Teams are getting up for them. To have an opportunity to be here in Vegas for the final four of the In-Season Tournament is a great experience for our young group. We are relishing this opportunity. It’s been fantastic. We look forward to tomorrow’s game.” …
Willie Green previews Pelicans vs. Lakers In-Season Tournament semifinal game 12/6/2023
Asked if he thinks New Orleans should hang a banner in its arena if the Pelicans win the first In-Season Tournament, Green responded: “Absolutely.” …
Players were asked how their team would celebrate a championship this week. McCollum said he hasn’t thought too deeply about specifics, but added, “I hope we throw a really good party.” Ingram: “We haven’t thought about (details), but we know it will be a good time.”