Four Pelicans have been kicked out of the Crucial Clash with the LA Clippers

 

 

New Orleans Pelicans

 

Four Pelicans have been kicked out of the Crucial Clash with the LA Clippers.The New Orleans Pelicans will be without four key players when they take on the LA Clippers in their final game of the NBA In-Season Tournament on Friday. CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III, Matt Ryan and Dereon Seabron will be sidelined with various injuries.

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McCollum, the team's leading scorer, is suffering from a collapsed lung and has been ruled out indefinitely. Murphy III underwent a partial meniscectomy in his left knee and is expected to miss several weeks. Ryan has a strained right calf, while Seabron is unable to play due to the status of a two-way G League contract.

 

Despite these notable absences, the Pelicans showed resilience throughout the tournament, earning a 2-1 record in Pool B. They will look to continue their winning streak against the Clippers, who are also 2-1 in the group.

 

LA Clippers

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The LA Clippers have their own injury concerns with Mason Plumlee (sprained left MCL) and Brandon Boston Jr. (left quadriceps tendinopathy) are indefinite. Norman Powell is questionable with right groin soreness, but his availability for Friday's game is uncertain.

 

Despite these injuries, the Clippers boast a star-studded lineup that includes Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. They showed flashes of their potential in the tournament, but also struggled with inconsistency.

 

Key matches

 

With McCollum and Murphy III out, the Pelicans will need increased production from their remaining starters, including Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas. They will also need to find consistent contributions from their bench players such as E.J. Liddell and Jaxson Hayes.

 

For the Clippers, the onus will be on Leonard and George to carry the offensive load. Westbrook and Harden will also need to be effective distributors and playmakers. The Clippers will also need to tighten up their defense, which has been a problem at times throughout the tournament.

 

Game view

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Despite the absence of several key players, the Pelicans showed their determination and competitiveness throughout the tournament. They have the talent and experience to compete with the Clippers, but they will need to play with discipline and consistency to secure a win.

 

The Clippers, on the other hand, have the potential to become a dominant force in the tournament, but have yet to put it all together consistently. If they find their rhythm and play to their full potential, they will be a tough opponent for any team.

 

This game promises to be an exciting and close matchup with both teams vying for a spot in the semifinals of the NBA In-Season Tournament.