It may take a few years before everyone gains a thorough and instinctive understanding of the NBA’s multi-tiered, play-in tournament format, but the scenario for Friday’s game between the New Orleans Pelicans and LA Clippers is exceptionally simple: The winner advances to the Western Conference playoffs; the loser’s season is over.
At stake in Crypto.com Arena will be the Clippers’ active streak of making the playoffs for three consecutive seasons, while the Pelicans will try to end their run of missing the playoffs for three straight years. Both teams played the entire 2021-22 campaign without an All-Star forward, with Kawhi Leonard joining Zion Williamson as sidelined standouts.