Zion Williamson Drops 22 as Lonzo Ball, Pelicans Beat DeMar DeRozan, Spurs
The New Orleans Pelicans overcame a slow start and a 17-point first-half deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 123-114 Sunday at the AT&T Center. The Pelicans remain undefeated at 4-0, while the Spurs remain winless in the preseason at 0-3.
New Orleans outscored San Antonio 35-16 in the third quarter, and as has been the case all preseason, the Pelicans' depth excelled in the fourth quarter. Rookie top overall pick Zion Williamson and point guard Lonzo Ball continued to link up as well:
The Pelicans rested JJ Redick, and the Spurs rested LaMarcus Aldridge and Rudy Gay.
Notable Performances
Pelicans F Zion Williamson: 22 points, 10 rebounds, two steals (31 min)
Pelicans G Jrue Holiday: 16 points, four assists, three rebounds, three steals (22 min)
Pelicans G Lonzo Ball: 12 points, six assists (22 min)
Pelicans F Brandon Ingram: 10 points, three rebounds, two assists (22 min)
Pelicans F Nicolo Melli: 14 points, nine rebounds, two blocks (18 min)
Spurs G DeMar DeRozan: 16 points, two rebounds (20 min)
Spurs G Bryn Forbes: 18 points (22 min)
Spurs G Dejounte Murray: six points, four assists, two rebounds (18 min)
Spurs F DeMarre Carroll: 13 points, four rebounds (21 min)
Zion Williamson Complemented by Fellow Rookies
Williamson is in a class of his own, securing his third straight game with at least 20 points and his first preseason double-double while leading all scorers. The 19-year-old continues to show why teams were clamoring to snatch him with the No. 1 overall pick:
Two other Pelicans rookies also made their mark Sunday and showed why the team's depth should be an asset.
Nicolo Melli is 28 years old and beginning his first NBA season after playing professionally overseas since 2007. "He's got a really good grasp of the game and what we kind of want," head coach Alvin Gentry told The Athletic's William Guillory earlier this week. "He's a pick-and-popper who can shoot it with range. He's a very smart player, he can drive to the basket and make a play. He's just a really solid guy."
Melli, a 6'9" forward, showed off his range by going 3-of-6 from three and provided scoring for the Pelicans during their inefficient start:
Rookie 17th overall selection Nickeil Alexander-Walker, a 6'5" guard, continued what has been an impressive preseason:
Once the regular season begins Oct. 22, the Pelicans will have a lot more to look forward to than just Williamson—especially if eighth overall pick Jaxson Hayes, a 7-foot center with effortless athleticism, gets going.
Spurs Give Peek at Potential Starting Lineup
Prior to Sunday's game, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich told Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News that he's "strongly leaning" toward an opening-night lineup of Dejounte Murray, Bryn Forbes, DeMar DeRozan, LaMarcus Aldridge and Jakob Poeltl.
Popovich started all of them but Aldridge against the Pelicans, and while the Spurs jumped out to a big lead, the reserves couldn't hold it:
However, the starters looked great, led by fourth-year guard Forbes, who will likely start the season over Derrick White and Lonnie Walker IV:
What's Next?
The Pelicans' final preseason game will be at the New York Knicks on Friday night. The Spurs will stay in Texas for their next preseason matchup, traveling to Houston to take on the Rockets on Wednesday night.
