Why the New Orleans Pelicans Might Miss the Playoffs and the Play-in

 The Pelicans have had a disappointing season so far, with a record of 31 wins and 34 losses as of March 7, 2023[^2^][1]. They are currently ninth in their division and eleventh in their conference[^2^][1], which means they are out of the playoff picture and also unlikely to qualify for the play-in tournament.

The play-in tournament is a new format introduced by the NBA in 2020 to determine the final two playoff spots for each conference. The teams that finish seventh through tenth in each conference compete in a series of games to decide who advances to the postseason. The Pelicans would need to climb at least two spots in their conference standings to have a chance at participating in the play-in tournament.

There are several reasons why the Pelicans might not make it to either the playoffs or the play-in tournament this season. Some of them are:

- Injuries: The Pelicans have been plagued by injuries throughout the season, affecting some of their key players such as Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram and Jaxson Hayes[^3^][3] [^4^][4]. These injuries have limited their availability and performance on both ends of the floor.

- Defense: The Pelicans have one of the worst defenses in the league, ranking 28th out of 30 teams in defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions)[^5^][5]. They have struggled to contain opposing teams' scoring, especially from beyond the arc. They also rank last in defensive rebounding percentage (percentage of available defensive rebounds grabbed)[^5^][5], which means they give up too many second-chance points.

- Consistency: The Pelicans have been inconsistent throughout the season, alternating between winning streaks and losing streaks. They have failed to establish a clear identity or style of play that suits their roster. They have also shown a lack of urgency and focus at times, especially against weaker opponents.

The Pelicans still have some hope of making a late push for either the playoffs or

the play-in tournament, but they will need to overcome these challenges and improve their record significantly. They will also need some help from other teams above them in

the standings who might falter down

the stretch.

The Pelicans have some talented players on their team who can make an impact when healthy and motivated. They also have some young prospects who can develop into future stars if given enough opportunities and guidance. However,

they will need to address their weaknesses and find more consistency if they want

to compete with

the best teams

in

the league.