Pelicans earn 105-101 win over Clippers, claim No. 8 seed

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A franchise player out for the season. A first-year head coach. A 1-12 start. The New Orleans Pelicans overcame it all and stormed back to make the playoffs.

Brandon Ingram scored 30 points and the Pelicans rallied from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the depleted Los Angeles Clippers 105-101 in a play-in Friday night and earn the West’s No. 8 seed.

"That win was big-time," Pelicans coach Willie Green said.

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Members of the New Orleans Pelicans celebrate as time runs out in an NBA basketball play-in tournament game against the Los Angeles Clippers Friday, April 15, 2022, in Los Angeles. The Pelicans won 105-101. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

New Orleans blew a 16-point lead in the first half and didn't grab the lead for good until the game's final 4 1/2 minutes.

"It was an emotional game, a ton of highs and lows," Green said. "But for us, our mentality is we’re going to continue to fight. We’re not going to fade out."

The Pelicans made the playoffs for the first time since 2017-18, guided by Green, a former Clipper. They’ve been without Zion Williamson all season because of a foot injury.

"Starting off 1-12 and 3-16, you’re thinking when is it going to pick up?" rookie Trey Murphy said. "Being my first year, I don’t know what winning is like. Look at us now."

CJ McCollum added 19 points and Larry Nance Jr. had 14 points and 16 rebounds for New Orleans, which will play No. 1 seed Phoenix in the first round. Game 1 is Sunday in the desert.

"This team is resilient," said Nance, who was traded, along with McCollum, from Portland in February and recently returned from knee surgery.