3 Players who will need to step up against the Oklahoma City Thunder

The regular season is filled with great moments and close games. But nothing comes close to the high stakes nature of the game’s second season.

For the New Orleans Pelicans, the do-or-die nature of this part of the year starts tonight, as their first of potentially two play-in games against the Oklahoma City Thunder is for all the marbles. The winner goes on to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night. Meanwhile, the loser begins their extended summer vacation.

With so much on the line, the Pelicans are going to need all hands on deck (especially with Zion Williamson being out). But given the matchup-based nature of the play-in/playoffs, some performances will mean more than others. Here are three players the Pelicans will need to step up tonight if they are going to beat the Thunder.