Do Zion, Pelicans Need to Make Playoffs?

How badly does the NBA need Zion to be in the playoffs this year?

Rudy Gobert, appropriately enough, scored the first and final points of the NBA's return game, a Utah Jazz win over the New Orleans Pelicans. The loss dropped the Pels further in the standings and Zion Williamson, who was on the bench as a precaution in the last minutes, was the story afterwards.

Blows my mind how the Pelicans had a minutes limit for Zion yet none of those minutes include the final three minutes. They had a winnable game and they completely blew it.

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) July 31, 2020

Sports Illustrated host Robin Lundberg discussed whether the league needs Zion and the Pelicans to make the playoffs with SI's Ben Pickman and "The Fantasy Exec" Corey Parson.

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