Zion Williamson Powers Pelicans Over Clippers In Important Western Conference Duel

New Orleans inches closer to the Clippers in the Western Conference standings with big win at home.

New Orleans, LA - The New Orleans Pelicans grabbed a huge victory at home with a 112-104 triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers. New Orleans is chasing the Clippers in the standings, but the victory on Friday gives them the season series edge and the tiebreaker if these teams finish the season with the same record. Zion Williamson finished with a game-high 34 points to will the Pelicans to a key victory at home. 

CJ McCollum started the game very aggressively after struggling in Wednesday night's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. McCollum went 0/7 from deep in that game, but started 3/6 from the field, leading the Pels with seven points and five rebounds. Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with nine points and showed no ill effects of a back injury that caused him to miss the second half of a game on Tuesday night. L.A. shot zero free throws in the opening quarter, marking the fourth time in five quarters that Pelicans' opponents did not shoot a free throw in a quarter. 

Mar 15, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) dribbles against LA Clippers forward P.J. Tucker (17) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles carried a slim two-point lead into the second period, but the Pelicans opened with an 11-4 run to grab the lead. The overall physicality of the game picked up and the Pels looked much better defensively on Friday than the previous game on Wednesday night. New Orleans surrendered just 22 points in each quarter to the Clippers, while Zion Williamson started to assert himself. Williamson scored nine points in the quarter, leading New Orleans to a 50-44 halftime lead. Paul George led all scorers with 17 points at the break. 

Zion came out of the break with a purpose, scoring the Pels first ten points of the quarter. New Orleans eventually grabbed a double-digit lead before the Clippers went on an 8-0 run to cut the lead down to two points. The teams traded baskets much of the quarter, and the game was tied at 80 apiece with 3.5 seconds left. Zion took an inbound pass and went coast-to-coast for a layup as time expired. Williamson scored 16 points in the period, and New Orleans held an 82-80 lead heading into the final period. 

The fourth quarter started as a back-and-forth affair before the Pelicans used a 6-0 run at the end of the game to put the Clippers away. The victory moves the Pelicans within two games of Los Angeles for the fourth seed in the West and home-court advantage in the first round. New Orleans hosts the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night.