The Smoothie King Center audience erupted in applause and whistles after Zion Williamson’s trademark and rim-rattling 360 windmill slam. The Phoenix Suns were irritated since the game had already been settled, and they felt humiliated by the action.
The New Orleans Pelicans led 126-117 with eight seconds remaining after Chris Paul missed a point-blank layup. Larry Nance Jr. collected the rebound and delivered an outlet pass to Williamson, who snuck out to the other side.
Zion Williamson pumped up the fans after the violent yet beautiful dunk by flexing and yelling at his teammates. Chris Paul went at Jose Alvarado before referees and Pelicans coach Willie Green separated them, capping off the Suns’ displeasure.
Green got into a disagreement with one of Phoenix’s coaches. After the game, some players and personnel from both sides were spotted mocking and pushing each other midcourt.
The top-seeded Suns met the eighth-seeded Pelicans in the first round of the 2022 playoffs last season. Zion Williamson, who did not play the whole season, stood powerless as Phoenix defeated New Orleans in a tense series.
Without Zion Williamson, the Pelicans surprised the Suns, who were without Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton. New Orleans was defeated, but not without some heated confrontations, notably between “CP3” and Jose Alvarado.
The rematch on Sunday, which will still be held in New Orleans, is one that basketball fans should mark their calendars for. Zion Williamson, who scored 35 points against the Suns, will be a target.
Zion Williamson confesses to becoming “carried away” as he wanted to end the game with an exclamation point
In a postgame interview, Zion Williamson correctly admitted to his error. He didn’t sugarcoat his comments, unlike other celebrities:
“That was out of character for me. I got a little carried away. That is true. But I was in the locker room with my brothers when they were depressed because the Suns kicked us out of the playoffs last year.”
The Pelicans lacked the firepower to compete with a 64-win club in last season’s playoff defeat to the Phoenix Suns. New Orleans depended on effort and guts to compensate for the obvious lack of superstar quality.
After missing the whole regular season, New Orleans allegedly intended to bring out Zion Williamson for the playoffs but decided against it. They ultimately opted not to hurry their star, instead erring on the side of caution in order to get the most out of him this season.
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