Pelicans clinch play-in spot with win over Kings: 3 takeaways

Willy Hernangomez stays ready

Willy Hernangomez has quietly played an important role for the Pelicans this season. Not only is he a guy who is beloved by his teammates and is their biggest cheerleader when he is on the bench, but he somehow stays ready.

Several times this season, Hernangomez has gone through stretches where he has not played at all, only to have a big game when called upon.

He hadn’t played at all in the previous three games, then came in last night to give Jonas Valanciunas a rest and scored 12 points with 12 rebounds and three assists.

Hernangomez is not a star, but he’s the type of role player every good team needs, as he stays positive, doesn’t complain about minutes, lifts up his teammates and steps up when needed, even if he hasn’t see the court in a long time.

The Pelicans are building some nice chemistry right now and role players like Hernangomez and Jose Alvarado have a lot to do with that. They are the types of guys who teammates rally around and it has been fun to watch this season.