In the 8/9 West play-in elimination game, the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Sacramento Kings 105-98 and advanced to take on the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. Sacramento frittered away an early advantage after several shooting droughts spanning the first and second quarters, and the start of the fourth. New Orleans overwhelmed the visitors under a barrage of transition opportunities and sharing the ball more willingly (29-21 assist differential) to gut the Kings’ lead and go up as much as 20.

Sacramento was paced by De’Aaron Fox (35 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Domantas Sabonis (23 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block), but received nominal support beyond their burgeoning stars. They glaringly needed a perimeter touch without the services of Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter.

Brandon Ingram (24 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds) and Jonas Valanciunas (19 points and 12 rebounds) supplied much of the offensive firepower in the absence of forward Zion Williamson (hamstring) and a pedestrian effort from CJ McCollum. The Pelicans’ bench also outscored their counterparts 34-12, and six players contributed double digits.

In a nervy and tight first stanza, Fox channeled Tony Parker-like tendencies to get access to the basket, while Sabonis bullied his way there in his brutish way to generate a Kings lead. At the same time, it seemed like Ingram and Valanciunas were the only Pelicans players capable of creating their own offense . Sacramento’s offense also stalled out over several minutes and ended the frame up 24-22.

The longer and more athletic Pelicans cobbled together a 9-0 run early in the second quarter to quickly change the timbre of the contest. Reserves Najee Marshall (11 points and 6 rebounds), Larry Nance, Jr (13 points and 2 steals)., and Jose Alvarado (10 points and 5 rebounds) did most of the damage to undo all of Sacramento’s start and then some. Fox‘s late production was Sacramento’s saving grace as they limped into the break down 45-54.

Going with a blueprint that won them so many games, New Orleans went with the streakiest hand, and it was Ingram in the second half. Fox valiantly tried to counter from all three levels. Sacramento seemed persistently a step behind on defense, and they were unable to dent the Pelicans’ advantage. It was Fox’s scoring again that salvaged the quarter, and the Kings went to the fourth down again by nine.