On April 19, 2024, the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans clashed in a crucial do-or-die NBA Play-In Tournament game to determine the final and eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Held at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. Both teams were desperate to stay alive and punch their ticket into the NBA postseason. The matchup delivered drama, intensity, and impressive performances. Let’s dive into the complete Sacramento Kings vs New Orleans Pelicans match player stats, team performance breakdowns, recent form, and season context that led to this electrifying face-off.
Game Summary and Flow
The Pelicans emerged victorious in a tightly contested game, defeating the Kings 105–98 to secure the 8th seed. Despite missing their superstar Zion Williamson due to a hamstring injury, New Orleans showcased depth, balance, and grit. The Kings, spearheaded by De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, put up a strong fight, but their limited bench support ultimately cost them the game.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
- 1st Quarter: Kings lead narrowly, 24–22
- 2nd Quarter: Pelicans seize control, outscoring Kings 32–21
- Halftime Score: Pelicans up 54–45
- 3rd Quarter: Teams score evenly, 29 points each
- 4th Quarter: Pelicans maintain composure and close out the game
Overall Team Performance Comparison
| Category | Sacramento Kings | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Field Goal % | 40.9% | 51.8% |
| Three-Point % | 26.8% | 36.8% |
| Total Rebounds | 40 | 45 |
| Assists | 21 | 29 |
| Turnovers | 15 | 15 |
| Free Throw % | 90.9% (20/22) | 78.9% (15/19) |
The Pelicans outperformed Sacramento in nearly every statistical category. They were more efficient shooting the ball, shared it better, and controlled the glass more effectively.
Sacramento Kings Key Player Stats
De’Aaron Fox:
- Points: 35
- FG: 12-of-29
- 3PT: 4-of-16
- Rebounds: 7
- Assists: 5
- Steals: 3
Fox led all scorers and played aggressively, but his poor shooting from beyond the arc hurt the Kings’ chances. He carried the offensive burden almost alone.
Domantas Sabonis:
- Points: 23
- Rebounds: 14
- Assists: 7
- Steals: 3
- FG: 9-of-14
- FT: 5-of-5
Sabonis had a strong all-around game, efficiently scoring inside and facilitating plays. He was a force in the paint but received limited help from the rest of the team.
Other Notable Kings Players
- Harrison Barnes: 17 points, 3-of-5 from deep, 5 rebounds
- Keegan Murray: 11 points, 7 rebounds, 4-of-12 shooting
- Davion Mitchell (bench): 10 points
The Kings’ bench only mustered 14 total points. Their lack of depth showed, especially during critical stretches.
New Orleans Pelicans Key Player Stats
Brandon Ingram:
- Points: 24
- FG: 10-of-20
- Rebounds: 6
- Assists: 6
Ingram stepped up in Zion’s absence, showing leadership and delivering an efficient scoring performance. He balanced shooting and playmaking well.
Jonas Valančiūnas:
- Points: 19
- Rebounds: 12
- Assists: 3
The big man anchored the paint, delivering a clutch double-double. His ability to draw fouls and control the boards made a major difference.
Trey Murphy III:
- Points: 16
- Rebounds: 8
- Assists: 6
Murphy’s versatility stood out. He contributed across all categories and gave the Pelicans steady energy throughout the game.
Impact Bench Players:
- Larry Nance Jr.: 13 points
- Naji Marshall: 11 points
- Jose Alvarado: 10 points
New Orleans’ bench contributed 34 points, playing a crucial role in sustaining leads and controlling tempo. Their depth proved to be the X-factor.
Head-to-Head Record: Kings vs Pelicans (2023–24 Season)
Before the play-in, the Pelicans swept the regular-season series against the Kings. Here’s how the matchups went:
| Date | Winner | Score |
| Nov 20, 2023 | Pelicans | 129–93 |
| Nov 22, 2023 | Pelicans | 117–112 |
| Jan 7, 2024 | Pelicans | 133–100 |
| Apr 11, 2024 | Pelicans | 135–123 |
| Apr 19, 2024 | Pelicans (Play-In) | 105–98 |
Pelicans won all 5 meetings in the 2023–24 season. Their dominance included blowouts and competitive finishes, which psychologically favored New Orleans entering the play-in game.
Last 5 Games (Before and Including Play-In Game)
Sacramento Kings
- vs Warriors (Win) – 118–94
- @ Suns (Loss) – 108–107
- vs Pelicans (Loss) – 123–135
- @ Thunder (Loss) – 112–105
- @ Pelicans (Loss – Play-In) – 105–98
Record: 1–4:
The Kings entered the play-in with a shaky stretch. Injuries and inconsistency marred their end to the season.
New Orleans Pelicans:
- vs Lakers (Loss) – 110–106 (First Play-In Game)
- @ Kings (Win) – 135–123
- vs Knicks (Win) – 115–92
- @ Spurs (Win) – 109–99
- vs Kings (Win – Play-In) – 105–98
Record: 4–1:
Outside of the first play-in loss to the Lakers, the Pelicans had been in excellent form. The momentum carried into the game vs Sacramento.
Playoff Implications:
With this win, the Pelicans locked in the 8th seed and set up a first-round playoff series against the No. 1 seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. The Kings, on the other hand, were eliminated from playoff contention despite high expectations coming into the season.
Conclusion
The Sacramento Kings vs New Orleans Pelicans match player stats offer a detailed snapshot of a high-stakes battle. The Pelicans, without Zion Williamson, showed heart, teamwork, and execution at critical moments. Ingram and Valančiūnas carried the offensive load, while the bench added crucial support. The Kings had strong performances from Fox and Sabonis, but couldn’t overcome the lack of depth and efficiency.
This matchup encapsulated everything thrilling about the NBA Play-In format—intensity, unpredictability, and drama. The Pelicans now look ahead to the playoffs, while Sacramento faces a tough offseason of reflection and potential roster changes.
