As recently as Monday evening, Devin Booker scored 52 points on the Pelicans, and he remained in three games at 50 points or more against Willie Green's players. But on Sunday, Booker had to settle for 25 points, and that's Zion Williamson who stole the show. With his 29 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 blocks, Zion tipped the scales towards New Orleans, even to the point of signing one of his most complete matches of his career.
“It was one of the best matches I saw him play” assures Willie Green. “Especially since he had never played so many matches. This is an accomplishment and we are extremely proud of him. »
It was in the last quarter that the former All-Star seemed to control the game against Kevin Durant's teammates. To his 12 points in the last period, he notably added 3 blocks! The number 1 of the 2019 Draft attacked the circle, defended his own, scored mid-distance “pull-ups”, countered Bradley Beal then KD in a close match… He was not far from making the total in the Suns, and Frank Vogel recognizes it: “He dominated the game on both ends of the pitch. An exceptional performance. »
Continued progress
In addition to his power to attack the circle or his mastery of the mid-range shot, Zion Williamson also showed what impact he could still have in defense. With his 5 blocks last night, he signed his career record. Targeted at the start of the season by opponents, Williamson proves that he has progressed a lot in this area, and a few days before discovering, perhaps, the playoffs, he takes on a whole new dimension in the game.
“He improved defensively as the season progressed”, Willie Green is satisfied. “He was everywhere, his hand on the ball, blocking shots…. He took big offensive rebounds, he attacked the basket, he made his free throws. An incredible performance. He carried us. »
With this victory, the Pelicans return to the Suns' lead, with 46 wins for 32 losses, but they remain 7th because they do not have the “tie-breaker”. With four matches remaining, anything can still happen in this race for 6th place.
