Zion Williamson TOOK OVER tonight to lead the West #5 Pelicans over the #4 Clippers πͺπ€
β NBA (@NBA) March 16, 2024
34 PTS | 14-21 FGM | 7 REB | 3 STL pic.twitter.com/U5HBgkm9fu
Williamson played as a primary ball handler once more for the Pelicans, who are now two games behind the Clips in a tight race for Westβs no. 4 seed. The former two-time All-Star added seven boards, four dimes, and three steals in 35 minutes of playing.
The win also favored the Pelicans as they clinched the regular season-series head-to-head, 3-1, in case both teams ended with the same record by mid-April.
Trey Murphy II and Brandom Ingram combined for 27 points as the Pelicans connected on five triples in regulation to keep the Clippers at bayFull court in 3.5 seconds?
β New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) March 16, 2024
More than enough time for Zion Williamson. pic.twitter.com/b8G1LSPq8k
After a Paul George bucket to cut the lead to five points at 105-100, Larry Nance Jr. connected on clutch back-to-back buckets before Williamson made up for split charity stripe point with an easy layup to finally put the Clippers to rest, 112-102.π¨π¨ LARRY NANCE POSTER ALERT π¨π¨ pic.twitter.com/pMKE92KzHd
β New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) March 16, 2024
π¨π¨ LARRY NANCE POSTER ALERT π¨π¨ pic.twitter.com/pMKE92KzHd
β New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) March 16, 2024
George led the way for the Clips with 26 points while Kawhi Leonard added 23. Norman Powell had 15 markers of his own but the Clippers missed the services of James Harden for the second straight game due to a left shoulder strain.
New Orleans improved to 40-24 win-loss slate with a win while Los Angeles dropped to 42-24 with the loss.