NEW ORLEANS (AP) — It’s been nearly five years since Pelicans fans packing a downtown block party erupted as New Orleans officially selected Zion Williamson first overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.
On Tuesday night, Williamson is slated to play in a postseason game for the first time since he starring for Duke in the NCAA Tournament.
It’ll be in the Western Conference play-in as No. 7 seed New Orleans hosts an eighth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers team featuring NBA all-time leading scorer LeBron James and the Pelicans’ 2012 first overall draft choice, Anthony Davis.
“We’re all extremely proud that Z has this opportunity and that our team has this opportunity,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said after practice Monday. “He’s worked his tail off. ... His first time being able to experience this is a major step.”
Williamson’s first four years were defined mostly by teasing flashes of what he could accomplish with his unusual combination of size (listed at 6-foot-7, 284 pounds), skill and explosiveness. A series of injuries to his knee, hand, foot and hamstring limited him to 114 games.
Lions made OT Giovanni Manu of Tonga the 1st NFL draft pick from University of British Columbia
A new plot twist for Baby Reindeer? Award
California governor would slash 10,000 vacant state jobs to help close $27.6 billion deficit
Lynn Williams breaks NWSL goal
FIFA offers peace talks to player unions, leagues on legal threats about congested game schedules
Former Alabama pitcher Montana Fouts to join Athletes Unlimited for AUX season
Biden administration will seek partial end to special court oversight of child migrants
Nadal returns to Roland Garros to practice amid doubts over fitness and form
Japanese automaker Honda reports booming profit on sales growth, weak yen
Pope trip to Luxembourg, Belgium confirmed for September, 2 weeks after challenging Asia visit
Families with TWO retired generations will surge to one million in a decade