Zion Williamson will lead the New Orleans Pelicans into the first game of a three-game road journey against the Washington Wizards.
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Zion Williamson aims to capitalize on the energy from his impressive scoring display in the previous game as he leads the New Orleans Pelicans into the first game of a three-game road journey against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday.
Following a subpar 13-point showing in the NBA in-season tournament semifinal, Williamson bounced back with a commanding performance in New Orleans’ 121-107 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. He showcased his prowess by sinking 13 of 17 field goals and converting 10 of 12 free throws against the Timberwolves.
Fresh from facing criticism about his apparent lack of fitness, he delivered his latest performance in the aftermath of the 133-89 defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers.
For the Wizards, Davis (calf injury), Gafford (hip injury), Omoruyi (concussion), Rollins (knee injury), Shamet (neck injury), and Wright (knee injury) will not be playing the game. As for the Pelicans, Nance and Ryan will be sitting this one out due to illness and elbow injury, respectively.
On Monday, Williamson’s fellow teammates made notable offensive contributions as well. CJ McCollum stood out with four successful 3-pointers, showcasing a 23-point performance. Brandon Ingram added 20 points to the scoreboard, while Jonas Valanciunas secured a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Pelicans, who exhibited an impressive 48.8 percent shooting accuracy from the field.
The Pelicans’ road woes persist as they’ve dropped four of their last five games away from home in the Crescent City. Meanwhile, the Wizards have been grappling with challenges irrespective of location, enduring a five-game losing streak and losing 19 of their last 22 games this season. After a 27-point defeat against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, Washington suffered an even more significant setback with a 45-point loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.
In a balanced exchange last season, the Pelicans and Wizards each secured a victory on the other’s home turf. McCollum took charge with 34 points, and Valanciunas contributed 27 points and 12 rebounds, leading New Orleans to a 132-112 triumph on January 9. On January 28, Gafford played a pivotal role with 21 points and 12 boards, propelling Washington to a 113-103 victory.
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