Pelicans vs. Clippers score, highlights: Pelicans stage fightback to move on to face the Suns in 1st round of Playoffs

Nick Metallinos

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Pelicans vs. Clippers score, highlights: Pelicans stage fightback to move on to face the Suns in 1st round of Playoffs image

It came down to one game for both the Clippers and the Pelicans on Friday night to grab that last playoff spot in the West. 

After a 1-12 start to the season, the ninth-seeded Pelicans (36-46) completed their season turnaround with a comeback win and a playoff berth.

The Clippers (42-40), who overcame a 16-point deficit early in the second quarter to take a 13-point lead of their own at one stage in the third, didn't have enough to hold on at home. 

Awaiting the Pelicans now are the Phoenix Suns, owners of the West's top seed and the NBA's best record. 

The Sporting News had you covered with live score updates and highlights from Clippers vs. Pelicans.

MORE: Watch the NBA playoffs on Sling TV (U.S. only)

Clippers vs. Pelicans live score, updates, highlights from NBA Play-In Game

(All times Eastern)

00:57 a.m - Final Score: Pelicans 105, Clippers 101. 

00:56 a.m - THE PELICANS ARE GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2018! 

00:51 a.m - Clippers ball down three (103-100) with 19 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

00:35 a.m - The rook Trey Murphy ties the game at 94 with a corner 3-ball with 4:38 left in the fourth quarter! 

00:33 a.m - Here come the Pels! 

00:24 a.m - Here come the Pels. They have opened the fourth term on a 6-3 run and now trail 87-80. 

00:16 a.m - End of the third quarter: Clippers 84, Pelicans 74

00:04 a.m - Back-to-back buckets from Brandon Ingram and coach Ty Lue calls a quick timeout. Clips still lead 75-66 with 3:10 left in the third quarter.

11:41 p.m - Reggie Jackson is putting on a show as the Clippers take the lead for the first time since the first quarter. LA leads 60-58. 

11:39 p.m - The energy is back inside Crypto.com Arena and the Clippers have opened on a 7-0 run to close within three points. 

11:20 p.m - Halftime: Pelicans 56, Clippers 46

11:13 p.m - A plus nine advantage from 3-point range is keeping the Clippers in this. 

11:06 p.m - Mook Morris's 3-pointer got the Clips within two, but they can't seem to get any closer. 4:55 remaining in the first half and the Clippers are down 14. 

10:55 p.m - Brandon Ingram did work in the first, now it seems to be Larry Nance Jr's turn. Clippers face a double-digit deficit for the first time tonight. 

10:45 pm - End of the first quarter: Pelicans 30, Clippers 22

10:40 p.m - Yup. 

10:38 p.m - Clippers call timeout with 2:58 left in the first quarter. They tried to take the ball out of Ingram's hands but he ends up making plays for his teammates. He's hard to stop. Pels lead 24-17. 

10:35 p.m - CJ McCollum. Wow. What a sequence! 

10:34 p.m - Make that 12 for B.I. -- Pelicans lead 18-14.

10:26 p.m - Brandon Ingram is cooking in the 1st. He has six early points. 

10:21 p.m - We are officially underway at Crypto.com Arena! 

12:15 p.m. — The Clippers will be without Paul George on Friday night.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that the seven-time All-Star has entered health and safety protocols.

What channel is Clippers vs. Pelicans on?

  • Date: Friday, April 15
  • TV channel: TNT (US), SN One (Canada)
  • Live stream: TNTdrama.com and Sling TV (US), SN Now (Canada)

Clippers vs. Pelicans will be broadcast live on TNT in the United States and SN One in Canada.

You can live-stream the game on TNTdrama.com or via the TNT app and Sling TV in the United States and SN Now in Canada.

Viewers in the U.S. can stream every NBA playoff game live on Sling TV. With the Sling Orange Sports Extra package, get $10 off your first month now with access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT and NBATV. NBA Playoff games on ABC are simulcast on ESPN3, which is included with Sling Orange, available for $35 per month including $25 the first month for new subscribers.

Clippers vs. Pelicans start time

  • Date: Friday, April 15
  • Start time: 10:00 p.m. ET | 7:00 p.m. PT

The 10:00 p.m. ET tipoff marks the second game of Friday's doubleheader. Hawks vs. Cavaliers will be broadcast live on ESPN in the United States and SN One in Canada at 7:30 p.m. ET.

How does the NBA Play-In Tournament work?

  • The NBA Play-In Tournament will be held after the conclusion of the 2021-22 regular season and before the start of the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs. The teams that finish Nos. 1-6 in the standings of each conference will be guaranteed playoff spots. Teams Nos. 7-10 will enter the Play-In Tournament.
  • Each conference's Nos. 7 and 8 teams will face off, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The loser will still have one more opportunity to reach the playoffs.
  • Each conference's Nos. 9 and 10 teams will face off, with the winner advancing to play the loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game. The loser of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game will be eliminated from playoff contention.
  • The loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game and the winner of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game will then play against each other. The winner of that game will be the No. 8 seed in the playoffs. The loser will be eliminated from playoff contention.
  • Beyond the Play-In Tournament, the 2022 NBA Playoffs will follow the typical format, with full best-of-seven series all the way through the NBA Finals.

NBA Play-In Tournament results, schedule

April 12

Game
Nets 115, Cavaliers 108
Timberwolves 109, Clippers 104

April 13

Game
Hawks 132, Hornets 103
Pelicans 113, Spurs 103

April 15

Game Time (ET) US TV Canadian TV
Hawks at Cavaliers 7:30 p.m. ESPN SN One
Pelicans at Clippers 10:00 p.m. TNT SN One

Nick Metallinos

Nick Metallinos Photo

Nick has been working exclusively within the NBA world for over a decade. He hosted 46 episodes of Ball or Nothin' - a show screened on ESPN highlighting the social media aspects of the NBA. Nick has covered 3 NBA Finals, 5 NBA All-Star weekends, 8 NBA drafts, 5 Jordan Brand Classics plus dozens of playoff games and hundreds of regular season games. 
Nick spends his spare time trying to decide which sneakers best match his outfit.