Zion Williamson Shines as Pelicans Continue Their Dominance Over Clippers

The New Orleans Pelicans pulled off an impressive 127-120 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night, marking their eighth victory in the last 10 matchups against L.A. While few expected them to come out on top, history suggested they had a solid shot—and they delivered.

This wasn’t a one-man show, but there’s no denying the story of the night: Zion Williamson.

A Statement Performance from Zion

Zion was dominant, plain and simple. The former No. 1 overall pick recorded his second career triple-double—and his second of the season—with 22 points on 13 shots, 10 rebounds, and a career-high 12 assists. He even knocked down all six of his free throws, showing an increased level of confidence at the line. And he did all of this in just 33 minutes.

Every time the Clippers clawed their way back into the game, Zion responded. The Pelicans led by as many as 21 points but saw their lead shrink multiple times. Whenever L.A. threatened to take over, Zion answered the call—whether it was a timely basket, a key assist, or simply setting the tone with his physicality.

He didn’t back down from Kawhi Leonard. He didn’t flinch when the referees swallowed their whistles on multiple drives where he was fouled. Instead, he played with aggression, imposing his will on the game. These are the performances that remind you why the Pelicans have remained committed to Zion through all the ups and downs.

The Best Version of Zion Yet?

New Orleans has seen its fair share of star talent over the years, from Chris Paul’s leadership to Anthony Davis’ dominance. But Zion offers something different—a rare blend of scoring, playmaking, and defensive impact. He’s always been a force offensively, but now he’s evolving into a more complete player.

Of course, he’s not without flaws. There’s still room for growth, particularly in terms of consistency and availability. But when he’s on the floor, there’s no doubt he gives the Pelicans their best chance to compete at the highest level. Moving on from him this offseason simply isn’t an option.

A Complete Team Effort

While Zion stole the show, this was a total team win. Seven Pelicans finished in double figures, and the team shot a blistering 55 percent from the field and nearly 55 percent from three.

CJ McCollum and Trey Murphy combined for 44 points and drained eight three-pointers. McCollum, in particular, has been a nightmare for the Clippers this season, averaging 28 points and making 13 threes across their matchups.

Bruce Brown had his best game since joining New Orleans, scoring 12 points, 10 of which came in the first quarter. Karlo Matkovic added 15 points off the bench on 6-of-7 shooting, while Jose Alvarado chipped in 14 points, going 5-for-6 from the field.

The Pelicans also got strong contributions from their centers. Yves Missi recorded nine points, eight rebounds, and two blocks, while Mo Bamba grabbed seven boards and blocked a shot in his team debut.

Building Toward the Future

One game doesn’t define a season, but performances like this provide a glimpse of what’s possible. If the Pelicans are betting on their future, nights like these make that investment feel worthwhile.

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