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New Orleans Pelicans · Untimely injuries and unfavorable matchups may have ultimately cast a dark cloud above the New Orleans Pelicans’ finish to a promising 2023-24. Yet, for much of a resilient 49-win season that placed them in rarefied air through both a top-10 offense and defense, there weren’t many obstacles Zion Williamson’s athleticism and CJ McCollum’s high-point jumper didn’t allow them to oversee. Few battles tested both New Orleans’ trajectory and mental toughness quite like their late-season clash against the Phoenix Suns on April 7, 2024. Critical with a capital “C” in regards to the Pelicans’ hopes of avoiding the potentially-stressful Western Conference Play-In Tournament, New Orleans — with All-Star forward Brandon Ingram sidelined — received heightened performances from their two partially-healthy stars. Lionized for his decade-long track record of toggling between alpha dog and co-star, McCollum extended his unguardable end-of-season stretch along, captaining the charge through a 31-point, five-assist outing alongside seven 3-pointers. Closely behind was Williamson, who, depending on the observer, produced his career's best showcase to date with 29 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and a career-high five blocks. Behind those heroics, New Orleans matched Phoenix on the pivotal 46-win mountain with four games remaining. · State of Mint