NEW ORLEANS — Zion Williamson nearly led a fourth quarter comeback for the Pelicans against the Spurs, but his minutes restriction took him off the floor just as New Orleans took the lead in what fans will probably remember as the most exciting loss they can recall. The Spurs won the game 121-117.
The Spurs didn’t want Zion Williamson to dunk all over them in his NBA Debut, but the star rookie was happy to drain 3-point shots to lead a Pelicans comeback in the fourth Quarter.
Zion scored 22 points, 17 of them, including four three-pointers in a stunning three-minute burst in the fourth quarter that temporarily gave the Pelicans a lead in a game they had trailed throughout. He was 4-4 from beyond the arc. The crowd roared its approval and chanted for more Zion after he was pulled from the game in a minutes' restriction that left the rookie, like the crowd, wanting more.
"It’s very hard, honestly. I’m 19 and in that moment I’m not thinking about longevity, I’m thinking about winning that game so it was very tough,” he said.
The Spurs and their legendary coach Gregg Popovich came away impressed.
"As the game went on, he started to feel his feet a little bit and he started to be who everybody thinks he is," said an obviously impressed Pop.
"He’s special," marveled Demar Derozan" "Anybody who has followed basketball the last two years and seen the talent he has… Hope he can stay healthy and be able to put it together. The sky is the limit for him.”
On Sportscenter after the game, ESPN started its show with 10 minutes on Zion's amazing debut, though quickly adding that the Pelicans had lost the game. It's probably been a while since the sports program devoted that much time almost exclusively to a standout performance by someone on a losing team.
"You know I think what you saw there is a taste of once we really get settled in and he gets settled in, you can see that there’s a lot of things we can do with him," said head coach Alvin Gentry. "There’s a lot of potential there. It was good to see him do that, but you know I think there’s a really really high ceiling that he can reach."
Gentry suggested Zion would play in short bursts. He was pulled from the game while leading the Pelicans comeback. Fans chanted “We want Zion!” as the Pelicans lost the lead and San Antonio sealed their victory.
Despite his hot fourth quarter, Zion was mostly quiet in his NBA debut. The rookie didn’t throw down any of the monster dunks he’s known for and scored only 5 points in the first three quarters, but was the lone bright spot for the Pelicans.
Brandon Ingram, who tied Zion for 22 points, did it on 6-22 shooting, 2-8 from three. Collectively, the Pelicans were 14-36 from three.
The Spurs were their usually efficient selves, shooting just over 50% from the field. LaMarcus Aldridge feasted in the pain, scoring 32 points and pulling down 14 rebounds.
Next up, the Pelicans play the Denver Nuggets at home on Friday at 7 p.m.
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