Williamson, Pelicans roll over Cavs
Zion Williamson scored 14 points — all inside — in an uneventful NBA road debut and Jrue Holiday scored 26, leading the New Orleans Pelicans to a 125-111 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night in Cleveland.
Playing in just his fourth game, Williamson added nine rebounds in 30 minutes, his most as a pro. He didn’t do anything spectacular or particularly crowd pleasing, but that hardly mattered to the Pelicans, who are just happy to have the hyped rookie on the floor and healthy.
Brandon Ingram scored 24 and Nicolo Melli made two big 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to slow Cleveland’s comeback.
Collin Sexton scored 24, rookie Kevin Porter Jr. 21 and Larry Nance Jr. had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Cavs, who have lost eight of nine.
It was Cleveland’s first game at home since Kobe Bryant’s death, and Nance honored his former Lakers teammate by wearing No. 24 in the first half instead of his usual No. 22.
Williamson returned last week after missing the Pelicans’ first 43 games following right knee surgery, and the team’s medical staff is closely monitoring his playing time as he gets back into game shape.
The former Duke star didn’t score in the first quarter before he dropped consecutive layups in the second. Later, Williamson caught a pass on the block and was set to deliver a two-handed dunk, but Sexton blocked it from behind and then shot a glance at the heralded 19-year-old.
When the Cavs were cutting into the Pelicans’ double-digit lead in the fourth, Williamson grabbed offensive rebounds and made putbacks on consecutive possessions.
Williamson’s first road game brought out Cleveland fans, who a year ago were hoping and praying to the basketball gods for the NBA draft lottery to go their way so they could get him.
There was a buzz inside Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse during early warmups as Williamson worked on post-up moves and drives. When he came off the floor, fans pushed forward to take his photo or beg for an autograph. Williamson signed a few jerseys before heading to the locker room escorted by security personnel.
Williamson is in high demand, and Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said that’s something he needs to monitor.
“One of the things he’s going to have to learn to do is to say no,” Gentry said. “I think that’s hard for him. There’s always a line of people outside every hotel, every restaurant he’s in. He’s going to have to be a little protective of his own private space sometime.”
RAPTORS 130, HAWKS 114: Kyle Lowry had 12 points and 11 assists while becoming Toronto’s career assist leader and the Raptors beat Atlanta for their eighth straight win. Serge Ibaka had 24 points and 10 rebounds, Pascal Siakam added 24 points and Fred
Vanvleet had 19 as the Raptors won their 10th in a row over Atlanta. Toronto never trailed and led by as many as 28. Toronto center Marc Gasol scored 10 points but was unable to return after leaving early in the third because of a sore left hamstring. John Collins had 28 points and 12 rebounds, and Trae Young had 18 points and 13 assists for the Hawks. 76ERS 115, WARRIORS 104: Wearing No. 24 in honor of Bryant, Joel Embiid scored 24 points in his first game in three weeks, leading Philadelphia to a win over Golden State. Embiid and the rest of the Sixers wore No. 24 and No. 8 Bryant jerseys in warmups in honor of the Los Angeles Lakers star. Embiid was granted permission from Hall of Famer Bobby Jones to wear the retired No. 24, instead of his usual 21, for his first game since he tore a ligament in a finger in his left hand.