Kyrie Irving Makes Honest Zion Williamson Statement After Mavs-Pelicans Game

Kyrie Irving spoke about Zion Williamson after Wednesday's victory.
Jan 17, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts to a play on a time out against the Utah Jazz during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Jan 17, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts to a play on a time out against the Utah Jazz during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

On Wednesday night, the Dallas Mavericks beat the New Orleans Pelicans by a score of 137-136.

Kyrie Irving finished the win with 25 points, nine rebounds, six assists and one steal while shooting 10/21 from the field and 3/9 from the three-point range in 39 minutes of playing time.

After the game, Irving was asked about Zion Williamson.

Irving (h/t Joey Mistretta of ClutchPoints): "He's been through a lot in his personal life and just with injuries. He came into the league with so much hype and I think he lived up to the majority of it... I just pray for him to be healthy and to stay focused on the craft... Outside of the personal stuff and the injuries, I feel like he's been a true professional and he's battled through a lot. When he's out there healthy, he's a heck of a player to go against."

Williamson finished the loss with 29 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two blocks while shooting 11/18 from the field in 28 minutes of playing time.

The two-time NBA All-Star is averaging 23.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per contest while shooting 52.0% from the field.

However, Williamson has appeared in just 13 games this season.

NBA
Jan 27, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives to the net past Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images / John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

With the loss to Dallas, the Pelicans dropped to 12-36 in 48 games, which has them as the 14th seed in the Western Conference.

They are in the middle of a four-game losing streak (and have gone 5-5 over their last ten).


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Ben Stinar
BEN STINAR

Ben Stinar is the NBA reporter for Fastbreak on FanNation.