New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Sacramento Kings 105-98

On Friday night, the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Sacramento Kings 105-98 in a play-in tournament elimination game to secure a position in the NBA playoffs. Brandon Ingram scored 24 points, Jonas Valanciunas contributed 19 points and 12 rebounds, and the team won. Leading scorer Zion Williamson, who injured his left hamstring just as he was about to score 40 points in a play-in game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, was sidelined for the Pelicans' victory.

Without Williamson in the starting lineup, New Orleans improved to 8-5 this season by employing a methodical approach. Six players, including reserves Larry Nance Jr. (13), Naji Marshall (11), and Jose Alvarado (10), scored ten points or more. In Williamson's absence, Trey Murphy III started and scored 16 more points for New Orleans. Domantas Sabonis finished with 23 points and 14 rebounds, while De'Aaron Fox scored 35 points for Sacramento.