The complexion of Friday night’s play-in tournament game between the Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Pelicans completely changed amid ESPN’s report that Paul George won’t play because of a positive COVID-19 test. L.A. has gone from clear favorites to underdogs in the matchup that will decide the final spot in the 2022 NBA playoffs.

The Clippers had been four-point favorites at FanDuel Sportsbook to beat the Pelicans and earn the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. Now that George has been ruled out, the odds favor New Orleans by one point on the road.

Los Angeles finished six games ahead of New Orleans in the regular-season standings. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Clippers 109-104 in the first round of the play-in tournament. The Pelicans defeated the San Antonio Spurs 113-103 in their play-in game to get a chance at making the postseason.

With Kawhi Leonard missing the entire season because of a torn ACL, George is far and away the Clippers’ best player. The seven-time All-Star averaged 24.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.2 steals per game in the regular season.

An elbow injury limited George to just 31 games in the regular season. George returned to the court after a three-month absence on March 29, bolstering the Clippers’ playoff chances. His positive COVID test is another blow to a team that has experienced poor injury luck all year long.

Norman Powell averaged 19.0 points per game during the season and takes over as the Clippers’ leading scorer. Powell has only played in three games since returning from an injury that cost him nearly two months of playing time.

Powell had 16 points on 5-9 shooting off the bench in the play-in game.

CJ McCollum scored a team-high 32 points in the Pelicans’ play-in win. McCollum averaged 24.3 points on 49.3% shooting after being traded to New Orleans in February.

The Clippers played the Pelicans once during the season without George. New Orleans won 113-89 on Jan. 13 behind 24 points from Brandon Ingram.

The winner of Friday night’s game will face the Phoenix Suns in a first-round playoff series.

Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on before shooting free throws against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter during a Play-In Tournament game at Target Center on April 12, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves won 109-104 to advance to the NBA Playoffs. David Berding/Getty Images
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