Zion Williamson Excites NBA Fans in Pelicans’ Win Over Durant, Suns Amid Playoff Race

Jack MurrayApril 8, 2024

Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images

Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans passed a critical test Sunday night.

In a matchup against the Phoenix Suns that could pay off in dividends as the teams jockey for positioning in the Western Conference, the Pelicans managed to take a 111-105 victory.

New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBAA winning 𝙎𝙐𝙉𝙙𝙖𝙮#Pelicans | @HancockWhitney pic.twitter.com/tckPESyr4h

C.J. McCollum led the scoring for New Orleans with 31 points but Williamson was right behind him with 29 points. He also contributed 10 rebounds, seven assists and recorded five blocks, which was a career-high for him.

Will Guillory @WillGuilloryFive blocks for Zion. That’s a career-high. And every one has been crazier than the one before.

He’s having a sensational night.

NBA @NBAZion doing it all on both ends in the 4th quarter 🚫💪

NOP-PHX | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/FuQXwNW5rz pic.twitter.com/EEKw9LKgri

Pro Pels Talk @ProPelsTalkGive me this Zion Williamson the rest of the way. @CompanyBurger

One of his best overall performances in a Pelicans uniform especially when the team needed it.

📸- @PelicansNBA pic.twitter.com/FXkVHGFVku

Fans took to social media to praise his performance and declare that New Orleans could be a threat in the postseason.

🦅 Dorian @nd0rianAll ima say, ZION has arrived just in timefor the playoffs. It’s a nightmare brewing

Ricky G @jrichardgoodmanThis Zion im watching rn is scary good 👊

Christian Clark @cclark_13That was Zion’s fifth blocked shot. He’d never blocked more than three shots before this game.

Will Guillory @WillGuilloryThis may be the best game I’ve ever seen Zion play in a Pelicans uniform

Jose Alvarado scored 15 points off the bench while Trey Murphy III had 13 points and Dyson Daniels had 10. Bradley Beal led the Suns with 33 points while Devin Booker had 25 and Kevin Durant added 23.

The win improves New Orleans to 46-32 and drops Phoenix to the same record. This puts the two in a tie for sixth place, although Phoenix did still win the season series 2-1.

That sixth position in the conference is crucial as it is not included in the play-in tournament. New Orleans is also now just two games back of the fifth-place Dallas Mavericks.

The Pelicans will be back in action Tuesday when they face the Portland Trail Blazers.