With two-time NBA All-Star Zion Williamson’s strong return in the last season, the New Orleans Pelicans hope to achieve greater success this season. Willie Green’s side reached the semi-final of the inaugural NBA Cup and suffered a first-round exit against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2024 Playoffs. Ahead of the 2024-25 season, Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson has validated that he will be an improved version of himself.
Last season was Zion’s best NBA season based on total games played. He appeared in 70 games and averaged a team-high 22.9 points per game with 5.8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
In the NBA Play-In game against the Lakers, the 6’6” Pelicans forward registered a 40-point double-double with 11 rebounds. He suffered a hamstring injury against the Lakers and failed to recover for the playoffs. Zion told The Athletic’s William Guillory, “I’m out for straight vengeance. Not against any particular person. Just for myself.”
Zion Williasom Believes Loss To The Lakers Was Turning Point Last Season
The Pelicans star forward claimed that the loss against the Lakers in the In-Season Tournament was a critical moment last season. He said, “(The In-Season Tournament loss) was definitely one of the key turning points in the season, and honestly, for me as a man in my career.”
“I’m watching (LeBron James) out here on the court, doing what he’s doing. I’m telling myself I want to be a player that has a high level of greatness—one of the greats. In that big moment, I didn’t show up. It hit me while the game was going on. I just looked up and said, ‘I didn’t show up.’ I don’t have any excuse.”
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The Pelicans have traded Jonas Valanciunas in the summer and acquired center Yves Missi in the 2024 NBA Draft. With Zion Williamson’s healthy return and the signing of Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks, the Pelicans could be a dominant force this season with Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Trey Murphy III, among others.
Also Read: How Are Ja Morant And Zion Williamson Related? Learn More About The Friends-Turned-NBA Rivals
