Strength via the line of defense.Mаke а Hesi аttаck.

LeBron is going to the rim in the #SoFiPlayIn 😤, no matter how he does it.

Lakers and Pelicans lead in the second quarter on TNT.

With play-ins, the Pelicans may be facing the end of an era

The New Orleans Pelicans entered the play-in tournament following a 49-win campaign. Their club may face significant changes the next season if they are unable to make it to the playoffs.

On paper, the Pelicans’ season was quite good. They missed out on the 56-win 2007–08 club, but tied for the second-most wins in New Orleans history with the 2008–09 squad. But the season will probably be viewed as a bust, and adjustments will be made, if they are unable to overcome the Lakers and then either the Kings or the Warriors.

To start with, attendance wasn’t a direct result of the Pelicans’ success. This season, New Orleans was 24th in terms of attendance. Additionally, they’re experiencing what one columnist referred to as “play-in fatigue,” as evidenced by the incredibly low ticket sales for the play-in game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.TҺe teаm ιs gettιng neаr tо tҺe luxury-tаx tҺresҺоlԀ, sо tҺere аre sоme rоster cоnsιԀerаtιоns tо be mаԀe. Jоnаs Vаlаncιunаs, tҺe center, ιs а free аgent аnԀ Һаs ҺаԀ wιlԀly ιncоnsιstent plаyιng tιme lаtely. а mоre sιgnιfιcаnt prоblem ιs tҺаt BrаnԀоn ιngrаm Һаs enԀureԀ yet аnоtҺer ιnjury-plаgueԀ seаsоn аs Һe аpprоаcҺes tҺe lаst yeаr оf Һιs cоntrаct.

Ingram can still be extended by the Pelicans, but they will have to act fast to do so. The Pelicans will try to trade Ingram in order to avoid losing him for nothing come summertime if the two are unable to come to an agreement or if New Orleans chooses to move on. The Pelicans might be hesitant to pay a premium for a team that isn’t making the playoffs because C.J. McCollum is also a high-paid player.

If the squad doesn’t do well this week, head coach Willie Green might even be used as a scapegoat. After leading the team for five years, executive vice president David Griffin might feel pressured to make adjustments, even though it wouldn’t be warranted.

Naturally, the Pelicans need just defeat the Lakers on Tuesday to put an end to the speculations. However, the longer they have to play in, the more uncertain the Pelicans’ future appears to be.