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Brandon Ingram scored 31 points to lead the New Orleans Pelicans to a crucial 107-88 victory over Denver Nuggets on Thursday.
The New Orleans Pelicans needed a win as they continued to push for a play-in spot in the Western Conference and the absence of MVP favourite Nikola Jokic made the task easier for the Pelicans.
Pelicans earn vital win against Nuggets
Nikola Jokic missed the game due to a right calf tightness and his absence severely weakened the Nuggets' chances of victory.
Ingram led all scorers with 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists as his second triple-double of the season helped the Pelicans (39-38) move into seventh place in the Western Conference.
They are now tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves (39-38), another team desperately trying to get into the playoff spots in a tightly contested West.
Jonas Valanciunas contributed 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Pelicans, as they won their sixth game out of their last seven.
The Pelicans made sure to capitalise on the absence of Jokic, building a 10-point lead in the first quarter. The Nuggets pulled close in the second quarter but the Pelicans pulled away in the fourth quarter for a vital win.
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