Friday will mark another evening of In-Season Tournament action for the LA Clippers. Currently standing at 1-2 in Tournament play, the Clippers are still mathematically alive to take home the inaugural NBA Cup.
After losing in group play to the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets, the Clippers took down the Rockets last Friday to keep themselves alive in the In-Season Tournament. Tonight's contest against the Pelicans will have big implications.
If the Clippers lose at home to New Orleans, they will automatically be eliminated from tournament play. But there are several other scenarios where they could be knocked out tonight.
These are the In-Season Tournament clinching scenarios for the Clippers on Friday #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/2mWOW2ijI6
— Will Eudy (@WillCEudy) November 24, 2023
There are multiple ways the Clippers could be eliminated from tournament play on Friday
Basically, LA must win as well as receive some additional help to avoid being knocked out tonight. If the Nuggets and Suns win, the Clippers will be eliminated. A Nuggets victory combined with Timberwolves and Warriors victories would also guarantee the Clippers' elimination.
Other various outcomes involving teams' point differentials could also lead to LA being knocked out. After losing their first two games of the In-Season Tournament, it is not surprising that the Clippers find themselves facing elimination earlier than they would like.
It certainly did not help that the Clippers were placed in arguably the most difficult group in this entire tournament. But while winning the tournament is a nice goal to have, there is no doubt Head Coach Tyronn Lue and his players are simply focusing on being better each night than the last.