LA Lakers Advance to "Playoffs", Golden State Warriors Eliminated

The Los Angeles Lakers managed to advance to the NBA playoffs after winning over the Pelicans in the playin tournament.

AP PHOTO/GERALD HERBERT

Los Angeles Lakers player, DAngelo Russell, celebrates his success in scoring three points in the NBA playin game, Wednesday (17/4/2024) morning Indonesian time, in New Orleans. The Lakers won with a score of 110-106.

NEW ORLEANS, WEDNESDAY — The Los Angeles Lakers were able to survive the onslaught of the host New Orleans Pelicans to win a ticket to the playoff basketball league NBA. In the playintournament match against the Pelicans, Wednesday (17/4/2024) morning Indonesian time, the Lakers won with a score of 110-106.

Behind by points, the Pelicans tried to recover towards the end of the match, but LeBron James and his friends were able to prevent this, thus sealing their ticket to the seventh seed in the Western Conference playoffs. By only being ranked seventh, the Lakers are waiting for a tough opponent. James and his friends had to face the defending champion Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.

The meeting will be a repeat of last season's NBA Western Conference finals. At that time, the Lakers were helpless until they were wiped out by Nikola Jokic and his friends with a score of 4-0 in a meeting that took place using the best of seven system.

Against the Pelicans, James, a four-time NBA champion, recorded 23 points, 9 assists and 3 steals to lead the Lakers against the Nuggets. Even though they lost, the Pelicans, who were hit by the injury to mainstay Zion Williamson, towards the end of the match, still have a chance to advance to the playoffs if they are able to beat the Sacramento Kings next Friday.

AP PHOTO/GERALD HERBERT

New Orleans Pelicans player, Zion Williamson (left), dribbles the ball accompanied by Los Angeles Lakers player, Rui Hachimura, during an NBA play-in match, Wednesday (17/4/2024) morning Indonesian time, in New Orleans . The Lakers won with a score of 110-106.

The Kings have the right to play the Pelicans after ending the Golden State Warriors' attempt to advance to the playoffs. Kings beat Stephen Curry and friends with a convincing score, 118-94.

The Lakers benefited from the injury to Williamson, who played dominantly in that match. Williamson was able to score 40 points and 11 rebounds, being key as the Pelicans were able to reduce the 18-point deficit in the third quarter.

However, after being able to score points to equalize 95-95 with a lay up with 3 minutes 19 seconds remaining, Williamson was injured. He went straight to the dressing room while expressing his frustration by throwing a towel on the floor.

The Pelicans continued to press and they were able to equalize twice. However, D'Angelo Russell's three-pointer with 51.3 seconds left widened the Lakers' lead to four points. The Lakers, with a free throw rebound from Anthony Davis, finally ended the Pelicans' resistance.

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It was a tough win for us and we earned our ticket to the playoffs.

AP PHOTO/GERALD HERBERT

Los Angeles Lakers player, Anthony Davis (left), throws the ball under the challenge of New Orleans Pelicans player, Herbert Jones (right/5), during an NBA playin game, Wednesday (17/4/2024) morning Indonesian time, in New Orleans. The Lakers won with a score of 110-106.

Russell hit five 3-pointers and recorded a total of 21 points. Meanwhile, Davis scored 20 points and 15 rebounds.

For James, who is 39 years old, this will be his 17th playoff season in 21 seasons in the NBA. "We understand after seeing how we played in the last game, they will give everything against us," said James. ”It was a tough win for us and we punched our way into the playoffs.”

Lakers coach Darvin Ham said that his players are very enthusiastic about facing off against the Nuggets. "We are happy with our position, we like the spirit of this team. Everyone is excited about the challenge," said Ham.

Pelicans coach Willie Green said Williamson was forced to leave the match due to a left foot injury. "He will have a scan tomorrow and we will find out more about (the injury)," said Green.

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AP PHOTO/GODOFREDO A. VASQUEZ

Golden State Warriors player, Stephen Curry (right), dribbles the ball while being blocked by Sacramento Kings player, Domantas Sabonis, during an NBA play-in match, Wednesday (17/4/2024) morning Indonesian time, in New Orleans. The Lakers won with a score of 110-106.

The end of Curry's journey

Meanwhile, Curry and his friends' journey this season ended after losing to the Kings in the playin tournament. The Warriors, who only finished 10th in the regular season, need a win against the ninth-place Kings to keep alive their playoff hopes.

However, it is the Kings who have the right to fight the Pelicans for the eighth or final playoff ticket in the Western Conference. The Kings played brilliantly so they were able to dominate the 2022 NBA champions.

Keegan Murray led the Kings' victory with a score of 32 points. De’Aaron Fox added 24 points and Domantas Sabonis had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Kings.

Meanwhile, Curry, the best three-pointer shooter in NBA, was unable to uplift the Warriors' performance. Curry himself struggled and only managed to score five points in the first half of the game. He eventually scored a total of 22 points, but failed to sharpen the Warriors' attack that was struggling. Klay Thompson, who is also one of the best shooters, even failed to score points after 10 of his shots missed.

The defeat threatened the future of the Warriors' three main stars, namely Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green. The three became pillars of the Warriors dynasty that won NBA titles in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022.

"It's too early for me to think about that," Warriors Coach Steve Kerr said. (AP/AFP)