Pelicans Final Games Flexed
The New Orleans Pelicans have been playing for their playoff lives since the 14th game of the season. After a 1-12 start to the season, the Pelicans were last and all but dead in Lake Pontchartrain. Several national media personalities began to talk of the franchise relocating. Today? New Orleans clinched a play-in spot, and their last games will have a playoff atmosphere. The national broadcast teams have taken notice — and so has the team.
BRANDON INGRAM ON FANS EXCITEMENT
According to Will Guillory, Brandon Ingram relayed the recent games have "been fun. That was the first time I've seen the fans like that since Zion's return (in 2019). These three games at home, the crowd was really, really crazy. That showed me who New Orleans was. When you play hard and show the city love, they definitely show love back. It felt like one of those Saints games. They were showing love to everybody, not just the star players. I looked out in the crowd and saw Herb jerseys, Jose jerseys. That's real love."
PELS-GRIZZLIES GAME FLEXED
The NBA announced the New Orleans visit to Memphis on Saturday, Apr 9, will be flexed into the NBATV 5:00 PM CT time slot.
The Pelicans have a 6-3 record (1-2 this season) over Memphis since the Zion Williamson/Ja Morant draft of 2019. The two franchises have a budding rivalry and expect future playoffs meetings between them.
Mar 26, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas (17) controls the ball against San Antonio Spurs center Jakob Poeltl (25) during the first half at the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans needs to keep winning to secure hosting San Antonio in the Play-In Tournament. Memphis is locked into the 2nd seed but will want to get Morant ready for the playoffs after a few weeks on the injury report. Local fans can watch the game on Bally Sports New Orleans.
WARRIORS-PELS FLEXED
TNT is coming to New Orleans for the Pelicans' season-finale versus the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, Apr 10. The game will tip off at Smoothie King Center for an 8:30 PM CT broadcast.
New Orleans will have the TNT crew for the last home game showcasing the Pelicans fans' passion in front of a national audience. It appears the national media may have taken notice of the Pels12 movement.
Both contests will be available on the Pelicans' flagship radio station, ESPN New Orleans 100.3 FM.
