New Orleans Pelicans semifinals victory Sacramento Kings NBA News

New Orleans Pelicans defeat Sacramento Kings to advance to NBA in-season tournament semifinals. Brandon Ingram leads with 30 points.

The New Orleans Pelicans emerged victorious with a 127-117 win over the Sacramento Kings, propelling them into the semifinals of the NBA's in-season tournament. Brandon Ingram was the standout player for the Pelicans, delivering an impressive performance with 30 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Herbert Jones and Jonas Valanciunas also made significant contributions with 23 points and a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds, respectively.

As the third seed, the Pelicans are now set to face either the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers or the fourth-seeded Phoenix Suns in the upcoming semifinals in Las Vegas. The outcome of the Lakers-Suns quarterfinal matchup will determine their opponent in the next round.

On the Kings' side, De'Aaron Fox led the scoring with 30 points, while Domantas Sabonis achieved a triple-double with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. Malik Monk also made a strong impact off the bench with 21 points.

The Pelicans showcased their offensive prowess by shooting 54% from the field and converting 45.2% of their 3-point attempts. This victory marked the third time the Pelicans outscored the Kings this season.

The game featured multiple momentum swings, with the Pelicans opening the third quarter with a 10-3 run to extend their lead. Despite a late surge from the Kings, the Pelicans maintained control and ultimately secured the win.

In the first half, Ingram and Trey Murphy III each contributed 13 points, helping the Pelicans hold a 69-61 lead at halftime. Sabonis led the Kings with 16 points in the first half.

The Pelicans now await the outcome of the Lakers-Suns matchup to determine their opponent in the semifinals. Both teams are vying for a chance to advance to the championship game of the NBA's in-season tournament.