The New Orleans Pelicans kick off their own version of the play-in tournament in the first of two back-to-back matchups against the Golden State Warriors Monday night inside the Smoothie King Center.
It’s simple: the Pelicans are trailing three teams ahead of them between 2.5-3.5 games and the easiest way of pulling ahead of one is by beating the opponent directly. Fortunately, New Orleans faces Golden State three more times before the 2020-21 schedule concludes.
The Pelicans will be without Josh Hart (right thumb surgery), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (left high ankle sprain) and Steven Adams (right first MTP sprain).