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New Orleans Pelicans · A spirited, competitive opponent during both their six-game out in the 2022 NBA Playoffs and in the 2023 Play-In Tournament, the New Orleans Pelicans have arrived for more during this spring’s festivities. And this time, Brandon Ingram has brought alongside him a 6-foot-6, 284-pound reinforcement. Reinvigorated after a humbling experience during the In-Season Tournament, Williamson spent the ensuing months planting the seeds for that next opportunity, hitting his stride through remarkable scoring (22.9 points), success in the point-forward role (5.0), and career-bests in steals (77) and blocks (47). Helping position the Pelicans into the No. 7 spot, the All-Star forwards have two chances to lock a guaranteed postseason spot, starting with a first shot against an incredibly-familiar foe. Ingram, similarly, found brilliance this year, headlined by his unfathomable 15-points-in-three-minutes stretch against Toronto on Feb. 5. As consistent as they come, Ingram produced his third consecutive season of averaging at least 20 points (20.8 in 2023-24), five rebounds (5.1), and five assists (5.7), numbers he’ll eye to surpass with must-win clashes ahead. · State of Mint