The New Orleans Pelicans are heading to the postseason once again after defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 138-131 in overtime Wednesday night.
The Pelicans trailed by 17 points at halftime before rallying for the victory. With the win, New Orleans is now guaranteed at least the ninth seed going into the 2022-23 NBA Playoffs.
“It’s incredible to have the opportunity two years in a row to play in the postseason,” second-year head coach Willie Green said after the game. “We’re continuing to build. So, for us, this is a big step.”
Wednesday’s win wouldn’t have been possible without Herbert Jones, CJ McCollum, and Trey Murphy III, who became the second trio in NBA history to each score 30-plus points with at least five three-pointers each after the New York Knicks’ young trio of Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, and Obi Toppin achieved the feat just hours earlier.
The Pelicans also made history with a franchise record of 21 three-pointers.
While New Orleans could technically still jump from the seven to the six seed with two games remaining – which would move them out of the play-in tournament and straight into the playoffs – all signs point to a Pelicans-Lakers play-in game on April 11.
