Due to the fact Zion Williamson did not play until January 22 will probably mean he will not win the NBA Rookie of the Year this season. However, over the last month, Williamson has been clearly not only one of the most dynamic offensive rookies, but one of the most thrilling players period.
Williamson, the star New Orleans Pelicans power forward and former Duke standout, is currently on a remarkable streak. After scoring 35 points against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday in a 122-114 defeat to the best team in the Western Conference, Williamson now has a minimum of 20 points in 11 straight games. That is a NBA record for a teenager according to the Elias Sports Bureau. It should be noted that Williamson is currently 19 years and 240 days old.
Even though the Pelicans lost by eight points to the Lakers, New Orleans battled well. They won two of the four quarters against the Lakers as they outscored them 33-29 in the first quarter and 34-30 in the third quarter.
The Pelicans are a team on the rise and their supporting cast is providing offense too. Five other Pelicans reached double figures in points versus Los Angeles as former Lakers Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram had 19 points and 15 points respectively, Derrick Favors scored 12 points, Jrue Holiday had 11 points and Nicolo Melli had 10 points.
There is no question that New Orleans’s offense is starting to click. Their 115.8 points per game is the fourth most in the Western Conference. The problem at the moment is keeping the basketball out of the basket. At 116.9 points per game allowed, the Pelicans have given up the second most points in the Western Conference. Only the Minnesota Timberwolves at 117.2 points per game allowed have given up more.
However, as Williamson starts to mature, he will start to become a formidable force when it comes to rebounding, and the Pelicans will follow suit. At 26 wins and 34 losses, the Pelicans could still make the playoffs, as they are only 3.5 games back of the Memphis Grizzlies for eighth in the West.
