Zion Williamson drops 34, Pelicans hold off Clippers as race for West no. 4 seed intensifies

Zion Williamson bullied his way all-night long with 34 points while making his presence felt in the defensive end as the New Orleans Pelicans toppled the Clippers, 112-104, to inch closer for the no. 4 seed in the West.

Zion Williamson TOOK OVER tonight to lead the West #5 Pelicans over the #4 Clippers 💪😤

34 PTS | 14-21 FGM | 7 REB | 3 STL pic.twitter.com/U5HBgkm9fu

— NBA (@NBA) March 16, 2024

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 West’s 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.

Full court in 3.5 seconds?

More than enough time for Zion Williamson. pic.twitter.com/b8G1LSPq8k

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) March 16, 2024

Trey Murphy II and Brandom Ingram combined for 27 points as the Pelicans connected on five triples in regulation to keep the Clippers at bay

🚨🚨 LARRY NANCE POSTER ALERT 🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/pMKE92KzHd

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) March 16, 2024

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.

🚨🚨 LARRY NANCE POSTER ALERT 🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/pMKE92KzHd

— 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.