SAN ANTONIO — In a thrilling Friday night showdown, Zion Williamson’s athleticism and sheer determination led the New Orleans Pelicans to a nail-biting 114-113 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. With 33 points under his belt, including a jaw-dropping winning layup over Victor Wembanyama and two other defenders, Williamson proved why he was the No. 1 pick in 2019. The layup, which came with a mere 3.8 seconds left on the clock, had fans and players alike in awe. ‘I don’t know how he made it,’ exclaimed New Orleans guard Jose Alvarado. ‘He’s going down full speed. Three guys at home with him, full speed. Wemby was there. That was one of the guys. Amazing shot blocker and he still gets it off high off the glass.’
Williamson’s performance was not just about the points; it was about the timing. Scoring four points in the final 29 seconds, he helped the Pelicans wrap up their road trip with a 2-2 record. Despite being blocked by Wembanyama just two possessions earlier, Williamson was undeterred. ‘I just trust my game,’ he said. ‘In that situation, transition, I can get downhill really well.’
The Pelicans also saw significant contributions from C.J. McCollum, who added 21 points, and Brandon Ingram, who had 19. On the other side, Devin Vassell shone for the Spurs with 28 points, though his potential game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer didn’t find the net. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich reflected on the missed opportunity, saying, ‘We’d rather throw it the rim and go dunk it, but that’s the shot we got.’
The Spurs’ Jeremy Sochan, with his dyed blonde hair and boundless energy, drew comparisons to the legendary Dennis Rodman. Sochan finished with 15 points and 16 rebounds, while Wembanyama added 16 points and 12 rebounds. Tre Jones also stood out with 20 points for the Spurs. Despite their efforts, San Antonio couldn’t overcome 18 turnovers, which included three costly ones while inbounding.
Williamson’s respect for his opponent was evident as he praised Wembanyama, saying, ‘Victor is a very special player. We were just talking about it in the locker room. He’s a dude that can get two or three Defensive Player of the Year (awards). I don’t want to put no limit on it, but he can get Defensive Player of Years and MVPs. We haven’t seen nothing like that. We’ve seen things close, but not like that.’
The Spurs, now 2-4, are looking ahead to the finale of their seven-game homestand against Cleveland, before hitting the road for their annual three-week trip. The Pelicans, on the other hand, are set to host Toronto on Monday, riding high on the back of Williamson’s heroics. This game was a testament to the Pelicans’ balanced effort and Williamson’s unstoppable drive, proving that when it comes down to the wire, he’s the player to watch.
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