The NBA play-in tournament was avoided by the Phoenix Suns due to Zion Williamson’s injury.
Before traveling to Minneapolis for Saturday’s Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff first-round matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Phoenix Suns wrapped up their second practice on Wednesday.
Due to their head-to-head tiebreaker victory against the Pelicans (49-33) to secure the sixth seed, the Suns (49-33) were able to avoid the play-in tournament.
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In the end, New Orleans was forced to host the Lakers for the Tuesday night game, which they lost 110-106. In order to secure the eighth seed, the Pelicans must defeat Sacramento on Friday in New Orleans; however, Zion Williamson will not be available due to a hamstring injury sustained in the fourth quarter.
If the Pelicans had defeated the Lakers in the final regular-season game, the Suns would have been in that play-in spot. New Orleans would have finished one game ahead of Phoenix for the sixth spot if they had won 50 games.
Bradley Beal, a guard with the Suns, remarked, “You can say that because of everything that happened, but the chips fall where they fall.” “All we would need to do is be prepared to fight if we found ourselves in that situation. However, you should make an effort to limit the number of extra games you play, the amount of mileage your body puts on it, wear and tear, and chances of injury.
After Sunday’s win at Minnesota, Suns coach Frank Vogel gave reasons for why they looked to avoid a play-in situation with one being suffering an injury in a play-in game.
Vogel stated, “We wanted to finish in the top six to avoid the possibility.” We would have felt comfortable participating in a play-in game, but you don’t run the risk of your season being derailed by poor shooting or an ankle rolled. It inspired us to play all 82. It would require all 82.”
The Pelicans’ finest player, who hurt his left hamstring late in the 7-8 play-in game, will now be missing from a game that is either win-or-go-home.
