Lakers beat Pelicans to get playoff spot
LeBron James had 23 points, nine assists and nine rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers secured a playoff berth with a 110-106 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in the Western Conference play-in tournament on Tuesday night.
Zion Williamson had 40 points and 11 rebounds in his NBA postseason debut. But shortly after tying the game at 95 on a driving layup with 3:19 to go, Williamson went to the locker room, throwing a towel to the floor in disgust as he walked into the tunnel with an apparent injury.
Soon after, James hit a jumper, Anthony Davis dunked Austin Reaves' alley-oop lob, DeAngelo Russell hit a 3 and Davis grabbed a crucial offensive rebound, after which he hit two free throws to help the Lakers hold off New Orleans.
Davis had 20 points and 15 rebounds. Russell scored 21, hitting five times from deep.
The Lakers advance to face defending NBA champion Denver in the first round in a rematch of last season's Western Conference finals, which was swept by the Nuggets. Game 1 is Saturday night.
The Pelicans will take on the winner of the other West play-in game between Golden State and Sacramento on Friday.
The Lakers went 14 of 35 from 3-point range. The Pelicans hit 9 of 29 from deep and Williamson didn't get a lot of help from the Pelicans' usual high scorers. Brandon Ingram missed 8 of 12 shots and finished with 11 points. CJ McCollum missed 11 of 15 shots and scored nine.
Trey Murphy III scored 12, hitting two 3s from beyond 28 feet in the second half to help New Orleans come back to tie it from a deficit as large as 18 points.
The Lakers led 75-57 after Rui Hachimura's layup in the third quarter. But New Orleans got back in the game by outscoring Los Angeles 19-8 during the final 5:31 of the period.
Williamson sparked the surge with a pair of layups. Murphy pulled up for a 31foot 3-pointer in the final minute of the quarter and Williamson's free throw made it 83-76 at the end of the period.
The Pelicans finally tied it when Williamson slammed down Jose Alvarado's alley-oop lob in transition to make it 93-all with 3:53 to go.
CLIPPERS' LEONARD REPORTEDLY FILLS OUT OLYMPIC TEAM >> Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, if healthy, will make his Olympic debut this summer after reportedly being named to the 12th and final roster spot for Team USA ahead of the Paris Games.
Leonard said recently he was happy to be considered for the upcoming event after earning a spot ahead o the postponed Tokyo Games in 2020.
“It's great. Just them seeing my hard work, seeing I've been progressing and I'm happy to be a finalist,” he said.
Leonard, a two-time NBA Finals MVP was set to make his debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games before they were postponed until 2021, but the six-time AllStar dropped out because of previous obligations.
USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill met with most of the 12 invitees on the 2024 Olympic team over the past few days, but Leonard's participation wasn't secured until Tuesday, according to ESPN, which was the first to report it.
Leonard's late addition completes a roster that includes Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, along with Warriors guard Steph Curry, Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, Suns guard Devin Booker, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, Celtics guard Jrue Holiday and Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo.
The biggest question mark is whether Leonard will be healthy for the Olympics, which start in July. He has missed the Clippers' final eight regular-season games because of inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee and his status for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday remains unclear.
The Olympic team will be coached by Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and Gonzaga coach Mark Few will serve as his assistants.
The Paris Olympics begin July 26 and the U.S. is expected to have a training camp and a preseason tour before departing for France. GRIFFIN RETIRES AFTER 14YEAR CAREER >> Blake Griffin announced his retirement Tuesday after a 14-year career that included six AllStar selections, Rookie of the Year honors and a dunk contest victory.
Griffin said in a social media post that he's “thankful for every single moment” of his career. He was the No. 1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers out of Oklahoma in 2009. He missed his first season with a knee injury, but rebounded to earn the Rookie of the Year award in 2011, when he also won the AllStar Game dunk contest.
Alongside Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan, Griffin's high-flying plays rejuvenated the Clippers franchise and earned it the nickname “Lob City.” He was traded to the Detroit Pistons during the 2018 season as injuries piled up. NBA ATTENDANCE RISES >> Attendance was up 1.4% in the NBA this season, with the league setting a slew of records for ticket sales and sellouts.
The total attendance in the regular season that ended Sunday was 22,538,518, the league said — the second consecutive season in which the NBA set that record. Other records set this season included 873 sellouts, 71% of games selling out and the average attendance of 18,324.
The previous marks in those categories: 22,234,502 for total attendance, 791 sellouts, 63% of games selling out and average attendance of 18,077. All were set in the 2022-23 season.
In all, the league said arenas were filled to 98% capacity, another record.
Part of the reason for the attendance boost was the success of the In-Season Tournament, which was held this season for the first time in November and December. The NBA's average attendance for those November games around the league was 18,208, another record.