The Pelicans get the eighth and final playoff spot and will face Phoenix

The Angels – Brandon Ingram scored 30 points and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the decimated Los Angeles Clippers 105-101 on Friday night for eighth place in the Western Conference, the last berth to the postseason, after the ‘play in’ mini-tournament.

The Pelicans advanced to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017-2018 season under first-year coach Willie Green, a former Clipper. And they did it without their ace Zion Williamson, who was out all season with foot problems.

The Clippers suffered a major setback earlier in the day when Paul George entered the NBA’s health and safety protocol. The team has already missed Kawhi Leonard all season due to his recovery from an ACL injury. The forward followed the start of the game from the bench.

CJ McCollum had 19 points for New Orleans as they face the top-seeded Phoenix Suns in the first round, which kicks off Sunday in the desert.

The reserve guard and rookie of the Pelicans, José Alvarado, played 17 minutes and contributed four points, four rebounds and three assists, so he will also play in the playoffs after arriving in the NBA with a non-guaranteed contract after he did not arouse interest of any team in the player draw.

Marcus Morris and Reggie Jackson led the Clippers with 27 points apiece.

–