After being held to minute restrictions in the first two games, Zion Williamson was finally able to play freely. He played 25 minutes, compared to the two 15 minute games he had previously. The result? He helped the Pelicans to get their first win in the bubble. It wasn’t the most efficient night for him, but he made the most out of it.

Post-game, he expressed how he felt relieved to finally be able to express himself freely on court. “I felt alive again,” Williamson told ESPN’s Malika Andrews. “My competitive spirit was there, and I’m glad Coach and the whole team trusted me to finish the game out.”

In 25 minutes, Zion had 23 points, seven rebounds, five assists as he seemed. He did what he does best: Pummeled through the Grizzlies defense and drove to the paint every chance he got. He also set some solid screens for his teammates and picked out the open man at times.

Zion Williamson: Finally unleashed

Coach Alvin Gentry had previously talked about how he wanted to play Zion more, but he was just following what the medical team advised. Last night was the first time since March that Zion played over 15 minutes. So he was going to be a bit rusty. Despite that, he was a menace for the Grizzlies. He might be only 6’6″ but he was unfazed to go at the seven-footer, Jonas Valanciunas, who was guarding the Grizzlies paint.

“I ain’t gonna lie to you, it’s just different in a bad way when I’m on the bench in the fourth quarter, and there’s nothing I can do to help my team win,” Williamson said. “So I said I felt alive — it was just great to be out there doing whatever I can to help my team win. And as for the energy part, me and my teammates can just feed off each other.”

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Whenever he is on the court with Lonzo Ball, they are bound to have a lobbed finish. And they didn’t disappoint last night.

The young Pelicans now face the Sacramento Kings on Thursday. Both teams are fighting hard for that ninth seed, which will get them a chance at the play-in tournament and eventually the playoffs.

Sources:

New Orleans Pelicans extend Zion Williamson to 25 minutes, closing time of win

New Orleans Pelicans on Twitter