The Los Angeles Lakers ended up being the team that clinched the eighth position after defeating the Pelicans 108-124. Despite the Warriors being the favorites and Shaquille O’Neal’s claims of LA being scared of the Dubs, LeBron James, and Co. stuck till they got the best deal on the table. Charles Barkley’s trust in Anthony Davis also paid off. Despite the back spasms that saw him leave the final game of the regular season in the fourth quarter, AD led the night with a game-high 30 points and 11 rebounds.

And now, the Purple & Gold will be facing the same old New Orleans Pelicans for their first play-in matchup. But will The Brow take the floor? In the latest update on the Lakers big man, ESPN’s McMenamin tweeted, “The Lakers are listing Anthony Davis as questionable for the play-in game tomorrow. LAL did not practice today.” 

Davis, though, seemed to have been much more confident about his condition after the Pelicans game. “No doubt that I’m gonna play. Just see how it feels the rest of the day.” Clearly, it looks like the “massages” and “treatment” haven’t provided the desired results. Aside from AD, LeBron James is also on the injury report listed as ‘Probable’ with left ankle peroneal tendinopathy. That’s two superstars already on the injury list.

The chances of them not suiting up are highly unlikely. Especially given that the Pelicans will be hitting back with a vengeance. Also, they wouldn’t mess up their chances of climbing up to the seventh rank. If the Lakers win the matchup, they will get the date with the second-seeded Denver. But if they lose, LA will get a final chance to make it right against the winner of the Sacramento Kings vs Golden State Warriors.

The Pelicans vs Lakers tip-off time, where to watch, and more

The New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers is scheduled to take place at 7:30 PM ET at the Smoothie King Center. The first play-in matchup of the season will air on TNT and it can be streamed on the TNT app or via Sling. As mentioned already, Anthony Davis’ status for the game is questionable. But he has been more or less constant throughout the season, appearing in a career-high 76 games.

And it also makes him eligible for the NBA postseason honors. More specifically, the Lakers and Davis fans will be hoping to see him crowned as the DPOY. But his competitors are equally brilliant. Rudy Gobert has hit back with a vengeance at all his doubters and rookie Victor Wembanyama is living up to the hype.

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More importantly, LA is 114.8 (17th) in defensive rating this season. But without Anthony Davis, the number rises exponentially to 125.6. Whereas the Pelicans rank sixth with a 111.9 defensive rating. Yet, if this season has taught us anything, it’s to be prepared for anything!