Lakers withstand Zion Williamson’s fury; Kings push Warriors towards a summer of doubt

The first round of the 2024 NBA In-Season Tournament kicked off on Tuesday with the Los Angeles Lakers upsetting the New Orleans Pelicans 110-106. The Lakers will now face the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

In another play-in game, the Sacramento Kings defeated the Golden State Warriors, earning a match-up against the Pelicans for the final playoff spot and a chance to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.

The Warriors, once dominant, faced a disappointing loss, signaling the end of their season. With critical decisions about their roster looming, the team will have to regroup after missing out on the playoffs. The Kings’ victory over the Warriors marked a sweet revenge for Harrison Barnes, who performed exceptionally well in the game.

In the match between the Lakers and the Pelicans, Zion Williamson had a standout game, scoring 40 points before suffering an apparent leg injury. The injury led to the Lakers securing the seventh seed and setting up a challenging match-up against the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs.

Despite the loss of Williamson, the Pelicans will regroup and await their opponent between the Kings and the Warriors to determine their fate in the playoffs. LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and D’Angelo Russell led the Lakers to victory with a strong performance.

With unpredictable outcomes and standout performances, the play-in games provided a thrilling spectacle for NBA fans, showcasing the intensity and drama of the postseason.