{"id":116705,"date":"2025-01-08T01:43:17","date_gmt":"2025-01-08T06:43:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=116705"},"modified":"2025-01-08T01:43:17","modified_gmt":"2025-01-08T06:43:17","slug":"pelicans-zion-williamson-return-bang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/01\/08\/pelicans-zion-williamson-return-bang\/","title":{"rendered":"Pelicans Star Returns With A Much Needed Bang"},"content":{"rendered":"

If the New Orleans Pelicans have Zion Williamson<\/a> available –in mind, body, and spirit –for the rest of the season, they might just be able to turn their fortunes around<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, the 2019 No. 1 pick suited up for the first time in two months, missing 27 games with a left hamstring strain<\/a>. Though his return to the court was spoiled by Anthony Edwards<\/a> and the Minnesota Timberwolves, he didn’t disappoint. In just under 28 minutes, a rejuvenated Williamson tallied 22 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block. He was imperfect, going 0-2 from the three-point range and 4-9 from the free-throw line. Nonetheless, he was 9-15 from the field.<\/p>\n

Pelicans Star Zion Williamson Returns With A Much Needed Bang<\/h2>\n

On the surface, Williamson’s efficiency may have been the biggest boon for the Pelicans, as they rank just 29th in field goal percentage (.440). Capable of creating for himself or playing off of others, Williamson is simply dominant in the paint, inspiring images of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Brandon Ingram<\/a> certainly has his go-to spots in the midrange. Meanwhile, CJ McCollum<\/a> and Trey Murphy III<\/a> love to dial it up from downtown. However, none of them are as hot in their zones as Williamson is in his.<\/p>\n

It was Williamson’s playmaking that really colored the canvas though. Due to New Orleans’ need to find a natural facilitator (which led to the trade for Dejounte Murray<\/a>), his impact as a facilitator has kind of been brushed over. Nonetheless, his comparisons to James also find life in his drive and kick ability, especially in transition. The problem for the Pelicans is that due to his rather rare combination of skills and physical tools, they didn’t necessarily have another player who could mimic that in his absence.<\/p>\n

Ingram and Brandon Boston Jr.<\/a> certainly displayed their potential as secondary facilitators. Yet, defenses don’t have to make the same decisions when they’re coming down the court. With Williamson, there’s a need to prevent him from getting two feet in the paint. If they don’t, there’s a good chance it could be two points for New Orleans. However, by stepping up to stop him, they may leave one of his teammates wide open. This only serves to make the offense more dynamic.<\/p>\n

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ZION 360 WINDMILL COME ON NOW \ud83e\udd2f\ud83e\udd2f pic.twitter.com\/hGuQ1R7FjW<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NBA (@NBA) January 8, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n