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Zion Williamson played in an NBA game for the first time in 533 days on Wednesday. As he began his hero’s journey back to the class of the NBA’s elite, Williamson looked like he never missed a day.
Williamson imposed his will in the Pelicans’ 130-108 beatdown of the Brooklyn Nets, using his massive frame to bully his way into the paint. He scored his first points in his return when he grabbed his own rebound following a miss, going back up and hitting the layup under the rim.
Williamson finished the game with 25 points on 50 percent shooting, nine rebounds, four steals and three assists. He led the team in shot attempts and field goals made, and he made his living in the painted area, because when you can score 20-plus points without ever having to take a jump shot, why wouldn’t you?
It’s remarkable that even with an entire season lost to injury, Williamson is still second in the league with 45 games of 20 or more points in the paint since his rookie season. Only two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has done it more.
After the Pelicans rebounded from a 1-12 start last season to make the postseason at 36-46, expectations were high for a team bringing a generational talent such as Williamson back into the fold. He fit seamlessly into the flow of the offense in his first game back, and the ball movement was stronger than it was a season ago. Every Pelican who took the court Wednesday — including rookie Dyson Daniels, who spent three minutes on the court — recorded at least two assists. The Pelicans finished the game with 31 assists. Last year, they averaged 25 a game.
As exciting as it was for fans and teammates to see Williamson in action, it paled in comparison to his own feelings about making his return.
“It was a breath of fresh air,” he said. He can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
The Pelicans were the feel-good story of the 2021-22 season. This season, with Williamson in tow, they aren’t trying to just feel good.
They can be great.
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