Photo credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Duke Basketball Pro Sends Ball Deep Into Stands for Surging Pelicans
Zion Williamson soared for the New Orleans Pelicans in Sunday night's 116-103 road win over an Atlanta Hawks squad that had won three straight. The 2018-19 Duke basketball superstar finished with 27 points, six rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks in helping to extend the Pelicans' winning streak to four games.
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The 23-year-old Williamson, a two-time All-Star but snubbed from this year's showcase, shot 10-for-14 from the field and 7-for-10 at the charity stripe across his team-high 36 minutes on the floor.
In addition to his playing time, Williamson's insane leaping ability, reminiscent of his Duke basketball playing days, is another sign that the former No. 1 overall draft pick, averaging 22.1 points, 5.6 boards, and 5.2 assists per contest this season, is arguably in or at least near the best shape of his five-year pro career.
Check out Zion Williamson's impressive motor on defense in transition as he chased down Atlanta's Vit Krejci and blocked his layup attempt several rows into the crowd:
As for the Pelicans' other NBA Blue Devil centerpiece, 26-year-old forward Brandon Ingram tallied only seven points against the Hawks but added seven rebounds, 10 assists, and one steal in his 32 minutes of action.
New Orleans (39-25), No. 5 in the Western Conference standings, next hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday.
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