With nine points in the first period, Zion Williamson got into his game quite well, like the Pelicans. But then, LeBron James and the Lakers accelerated and New Orleans will finally explode into a thousand pieces, finishing 44 units behind!
The local star finished with only 13 points, certainly at 6/8 in shooting, but without weighing in the second period. Proof that Zion Williamson lacked bite throughout the game: involved, he lost three balls in the first period, going towards the circle. But none in the second half…
“I have to do better. I have to be more aggressive, find my shots more,” recognizes Duke alumnus for ESPN. “I have to do more things for my team. I was too relaxed and that's not possible. Defensively, I have to do better. »
He missed the final phase of the tournament
To try to justify this poor performance from within, Willie Green puts forward the experience of James and Anthony Davis (46 points, 20 rebounds and 13 assists between them), accustomed to major playoff matches and NBA champions in 2020.
“They know what it takes to be on the big stage, to experience big moments,” recalls the Pelicans coach. “For some of our players, this is the first time since college that they have played a knockout match. For Zion, this is a learning moment. The level has risen and we have not managed to reach this level of intensity. »
An argument that is audible, but which is not enough. The proof a few hours before this meeting, since Tyrese Haliburton has never played a playoff match but managed to overthrow the Bucks, champions after the Lakers in 2021.
Zion Williamson had already not had a great game in the quarter-final against the Kings, with only 10 points on his personal score. It's too little for the team's superstar.
“I have a problem: I literally try to find the best shot possible every time, but my teammates expect more from me,” he summarizes. “I expect more from myself. I have to trust my game. I just have to be more aggressive. I think if I am more aggressive, this energy will transfer to others. »
| 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 | 6.3 | 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 | 18 | 31 | 56.9 | 33.3 | 66.4 | 1.9 | 3.8 | 5.8 | 4.9 | 2.6 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 22.7 |
| Total | 132 | 32 | 60.0 | 34.2 | 68.8 | 2.5 | 4.3 | 6.8 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 25.4 | |
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.
