Alley-oops, thunderous dunks on the counterattack, attacks from the left-hand circle, second jump… Against the Wolves, Zion Williamson played like it was his 30th game of the season.
However, the strong winger returned to the field after another forced two-month break. So, certainly, the Pelicans lost again (104-97) against the Wolves and remain mired in last place in the Western Conference (7 wins – 30 losses) but the All-Star’s flights set the Smoothie King Center on fire.
“His dunk was crazy” explains Dejounte Murray, with whom he played for the first time, on this 360° “windmill” on the counterattack in the third quarter. “Especially knowing how long he’s been out. Seeing that he can still do that… I'm glad he was able to play with so much joy and confidence. »
Physically sharpened
For the person concerned, who therefore accumulated 22 points at 9/15 shooting, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 interceptions and 1 block in 28 minutes, but also the best +/- of his team at +8, and who seems well sharpened despite his hamstring problems, it's nothing extraordinary.
“I really felt like I had the legs to do it” he summarizes. “My work during rehabilitation was much harder, so I don't feel like I lost (physically), but rather gained. »
The Pelicans will have a hard time saving their season, but they are at least smiling again.
“It was incredible to see, his ability to influence a match when he is on the pitch…” concludes his coach, Willie Green. “He was a little rusty (4 ball losses, 4/9 on throws, etc.), but I've never seen him look so good after being away for so long. This is a credit to Zion and the work he put in. »
| Zion Williamson | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | NOP | 24 | 28 | 58.3 | 42.9 | 64.0 | 2.7 | 3.6 | 6.2 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 22.5 |
| 2020-21 | NOP | 61 | 33 | 61.1 | 29.4 | 69.8 | 2.7 | 4.5 | 7.2 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 27.0 |
| 2022-23 | NOP | 29 | 33 | 60.8 | 36.8 | 71.4 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 4.6 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 3.4 | 0.6 | 26.0 |
| 2023-24 | NOP | 70 | 32 | 57.0 | 33.3 | 70.2 | 1.7 | 4.1 | 5.8 | 5.0 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 22.9 |
| 2024-25 | NOP | 6 | 31 | 45.2 | 33.3 | 66.7 | 2.7 | 5.3 | 8.0 | 5.3 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 3.7 | 1.2 | 22.7 |
| Total | 190 | 32 | 58.7 | 34.1 | 69.4 | 2.2 | 4.3 | 6.6 | 4.2 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 24.6 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
