During Friday night’s NBA play-in tournament game against the Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones didn’t light up the stat sheet. Despite finishing with just five points on three shots and missing crucial free throws late in the game, Jones received high praise from his teammate, center Larry Nance Jr.

Nance lauded Jones as the epitome of a modern NBA player, highlighting his versatility, defensive prowess, and clutch mentality. Jones, standing at 6-foot-7 with an impressive wingspan, has been a defensive stalwart while also showcasing an improving three-point shot. Despite his missed free throws, Jones made key defensive plays down the stretch, including a crucial block on Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox and a game-sealing breakaway dunk.

With this victory, the Pelicans secured the final playoff spot in the West and will face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the opening round. The Pelicans, led by superstar Zion Williamson, had a successful regular season, finishing seventh in the Western Conference standings.

However, Williamson’s hamstring injury casts uncertainty on his availability for the playoff series against the Thunder. Despite this setback, the Pelicans will rely on the contributions of players like Jones to step up in his absence.

Jones, a product of Hale County High School, joins three other players from Alabama high schools and colleges in the NBA playoffs. Notably, Isaac Okoro and Chuma Okeke, both products of Auburn University, will face off in a first-round series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic.

Additionally, Kobe Brown, a rookie from Lee-Huntsville, will make his playoff debut with the Los Angeles Clippers, who are set to face the Dallas Mavericks in another Western Conference showdown.