New Orleans Pelicans: Can the Pels still make the play-in tournament?

If you thought that Stan Van Gundy had lost the New Orleans Pelicans, think again, as the Pels got a gritty, shorthanded win over the Hornets without their two best players.

It was a team effort, as the Pels had six players in double-digits and were led by the much-maligned Eric Bledsoe.

The Pels are likely to be without Zion Williamson for the rest of the regular season and Brandon Ingram is day-to-day, which is a shame, as they are in a position to take over the San Antonio Spurs and grab the last spot in the play-in tournament.

It would have been nice for their two young stars to get these high-pressure reps, but it’s also a chance to for the other Pelicans to step up and try to claw their way in, so these games still have meaning.

But do the New Orleans Pelicans have a chance? Let’s take a look at remaining games.

New Orleans Pelicans: Path to the play-in tournament is still there

If you want a quick primer on how the NBA play-in tournament works, click here for a quick explanation. 

The Pelicans only have four games remaining and the only team they have a realistic chance of catching is the San Antonio Spurs, who are only 1.5 games ahead and have the league’s toughest remaining schedule.

The Spurs still play the Bucks, Nets, Knicks and end the season with back-to-back games against the Suns.

All of those teams are battling for playoff position and should be playing all of their starters, so there is a good chance the Spurs will lose most of them.

The Pelicans have four games remaining against the Grizzlies, Mavericks, Warriors and Lakers, which won’t be easy, especially with Zion Williamson out.

But if the Pelicans can win three of those four games and the Spurs lose four of their five, the Pels will claim the 10th and final play-in spot. A more realistic scenario is that the Pels split their four games and would then need the Spurs to lose out.

It’s a long shot to be sure, but the New Orleans Pelicans can still get there, especially if the recently returned Nickeil Alexander-Walker and the rejuvenated Jaxson Hayes play well in the final four games.