Zion Williamson erupted for 36 points on Monday as the New Orleans Pelicans exploited the absence of Anthony Edwards to upset the Minnesota Timberwolves 121-107.
Williamson spearheaded a dominant offensive performance by New Orleans, who bounced back superbly after being bullied into defeat by 44 points against the Los Angeles Lakers in last week’s NBA In-Season Tournament.
C.J. McCollum added 23 points, while Brandon Ingram weighed in with 20 to fire the Pelicans to a deserved victory over the NBA Western Conference leaders.
Photo: AP
The defeat snapped Minnesota’s six-game winning streak, although the Wolves remain clear at the top of the table with a 17-5 record.
“We trusted each other and we executed,” Williamson said. “We’ve been through tough moments, but we’re resilient. I think that showed tonight, glad we got the win.”
New Orleans improved to 13-11 and are ninth in the Western Conference standings.
Elsewhere, Luka Doncic inspired the injury-hit Dallas Mavericks with 35 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in a gutsy 120-113 road win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
The shorthanded Mavs, missing Kyrie Irving, Grant Williams and Tim Hardaway Jr amongst others, took the lead eight minutes into the first quarter and kept their noses in front to claim victory.
Rookie Dereck Lively II had 16 points and 16 rebounds, while Jaden Hardy added 19 from the bench.
Mavs coach Jason Kidd saluted Doncic’s leadership in galvanizing an understrength Dallas lineup.
“I think you’ve seen enough of him that he believes anytime he takes the floor he has a chance to win,” Kidd said.
“His leadership of always getting that group together, to make sure everybody was on the same page, he’s done that all year for us,” he said. “That just shows his leadership, his maturity. He’s growing. On the road, against a talented team, we found a way to win, but it starts with Luka and he set the tone.”
It was another in a sequence of Most Valuable Player-calibre performances from Doncic, who has now scored 30 or more points in his past seven games.
“I think leadership is important,” Doncic said. “I think this year has been way better for me. Obviously we had like five guys out, so it’s a pretty amazing win.”
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