National Basketball Association
L.A. Clippers 119, New Orleans 100
When: 9:30 PM ET, Sunday, April 3, 2022
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
Officials: #38 Michael Smith, #18 Matt Boland, #29 Mark Lindsay
Attendance: 16840

Marcus Morris Sr. scored 22 points, and the refreshed Los Angeles Clippers routed the visiting New Orleans Pelicans 119-100 Sunday night to clinch the eighth spot in the Western Conference heading into the play-in tournament.

Morris (knee) was one of four Clippers starters to return after sitting out a 153-119 victory at Milwaukee on Friday. The others included Paul George (elbow), who scored 15 points, and Reggie Jackson (rest), who had 11 points and 10 assists as the Clippers (39-40) began a season-ending four-game homestand.

Ivica Zubac added 16 points and 14 rebounds, and Terance Mann scored 15 points, Luke Kennard 14 and Isaiah Hartenstein 12.

CJ McCollum scored 19 points, Brandon Ingram added 15, and Jaxson Hayes had 12 points and 10 rebounds to lead the ninth-place Pelicans (34-44), who missed an opportunity to clinch a play-in berth.

The Clippers took control by outscoring the Pelicans 29-13 in the second quarter to build a 22-point halftime lead.

The lead shrunk briefly to 19 points early in the third quarter, but Los Angeles extended it to 25 before holding a 92-71 lead at the end of the period.

New Orleans scored the first four points of the fourth quarter to pull within 17, but the Clippers scored the next six points.

The score was tied five times, and the lead changed hands five times in the first quarter, which ended with the Clippers holding a 37-31 lead after making all eight of their 3-point attempts.

Los Angeles scored the first four points of the second quarter to push the lead to double figures before Naji Marshall's basket provided the Pelicans' first points of the period.

The Clippers scored 12 straight points to take a 53-33 lead before Jonas Valanciunas' basket ended the run.

The lead grew to 23 points twice, and Los Angeles went into halftime holding a 66-44 advantage.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
New Orleans   L.A. Clippers
CJ McCollum 19 Scoring Marcus Morris Sr. 22
Brandon Ingram 4 Assists Reggie Jackson 10
Jaxson Hayes 10 Rebounds Ivica Zubac 14
Brandon Ingram 8 Free Throws Made Isaiah Hartenstein 2
CJ McCollum 2 Steals Robert Covington 2
Herbert Jones 2 Blocks Marcus Morris Sr. 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
New Orleans 100 40.2 9-24 21-27 22 54 5 4 16
L.A. Clippers 119 47.4 21-44 8-10 33 41 5 10 10
Upcoming Games
  • L.A. Clippers will play their next game at home against Phoenix. The Clippers have a W/L % of .447 after a win and .537 after a loss.
  • New Orleans will play their next game on the road against Sacramento. The Pelicans have a W/L % of .441 after a win and .432 after a loss.