Pelicans Reactions: Zion Williamson dazzles as Pelicans upend Sixers

In arguably the best performance of his career, Zion Williamson carried the New Orleans Pelicans past the Philadelphia 76ers for a 101-92 victory.

For the better part of the first two-and-a-half quarters, the two sides played a close game with neither team leading by more than five points. However, New Orleans took control as Zion Williamson dominated throughout the night.

The Sixers made a run late to cur into the lead, trimming it down to a six-point lead in the fourth but the Pelicans held on for one of the biggest wins of the season.

Williamson had a career night, finishing with 37 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. Brandon Ingram had 17 points in his return and Jaxson Hayes added 12 off the bench.

The Good: Point Zion

Point Zion is not new, but the degree to which the Pelicans relied on it on Friday was. With Ball out, Kira Lewis only returning from injury, Isaiah Thomas, on a 10-day contract, and Eric Bledsoe as the only healthy guards, New Orleans opted to play Williamson almost exclusively as a guard. Often times on Friday, only one guard, Lewis or Bledsoe, was on the court alongside Williamson. Thomas, in fact, did not play on the night while Lewis played 21 minutes and Bledsoe 28. It was healthy, healthy, healthy dose of Point Zion on Friday and it paid off in huge dividends.

The Bad: Injuries

It has already been rough enough that the Pelicans had an avalanche of injuries but that they can't even keep players healthy is another blow. Lonzo Ball returning to the injury report the same night Ingram and Lewis come back is both frustrating and a good summation of how rough things are going for the Pelicans.

Lonzo Ball: Injured

While Ingram and Kira Lewis returned from injury, Lonzo Ball took their spot on the sideline. Ball missed the game with a strained left hip flexor. He returned on Sunday after missing seven games with a strained right hip flexor.

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